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To demonstrate that humor can be used as a teaching technique by instruction librarians.
Abstract
Purpose
To demonstrate that humor can be used as a teaching technique by instruction librarians.
Design/methodology/approach
Since some students have what Constance Mellon refers to as library anxiety, humor can be used as a teaching tool to help reduce this feeling. Using the literature of higher education, this article seeks to provide practical advice on ways to use humor in the library instruction setting.
Findings
The use of real‐life humorous examples demonstrates that teaching librarians can reap the benefits of using humor in the classroom. The article dispels the myth that one must be a comedian to use humor in the classroom.
Practical implications
The teaching librarian can add the use of humor as a teaching tool along with other techniques to assist in reducing library anxiety, promote classroom environment and help students to get more comfortable with the library's many resources.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the discussion on the use of humor in library instruction as one method to help reduce library anxiety in students. It offers practical help to the instruction librarian.
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Keywords
This paper aims to focus on the usefulness of a library version of the popular television show Jeopardy as an active learning technique for library instruction.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the usefulness of a library version of the popular television show Jeopardy as an active learning technique for library instruction.
Design/methodology/approach
The review considers the effectiveness of Library Jeopardy as an active learning technique in one‐shot library instruction.
Findings
The benefits arising from the use of Library Jeopardy in the classroom are: it motivates students to actively participate in class and assume more responsibility for learning; it reinforces students' learning of information literacy concepts previously taught, and it adds variety to class sessions by providing a fun environment for instructor and students alike.
Practical implications
The focus on a game such as Library Jeopardy demonstrates that instruction librarians can reap the benefits of using this active learning technique as an additional mode of instruction.
Originality/value
This paper aids the discussion that educational games can be used as an active learning technique in library instruction.
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Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the…
Abstract
Life studies are a rich source for further research on the role of the Afro‐American woman in society. They are especially useful to gain a better understanding of the Afro‐American experience and to show the joys, sorrows, needs, and ideals of the Afro‐American woman as she struggles from day to day.
Rebecca May Thompson, Bridie Victoria Stone and Philip John Tyson
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people within the UK and the Republic of Ireland are underrepresented within research and policies despite high rates of mental illness and…
Abstract
Purpose
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people within the UK and the Republic of Ireland are underrepresented within research and policies despite high rates of mental illness and suicide. This study aims to explore the mental health (MH) support needs for GRT people within the British Isles.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with nine self-identified GRT people.
Findings
The analysis revealed a longing for acceptance, both within and outside the GRT community; barriers to help seeking, specifically unsuitable services, poor awareness, stigma and distrust; and increased vulnerability owing to participants’ perceived lack of prospects and adverse life events.
Originality/value
Despite increased vulnerability, MH services are underutilised by GRT people for a variety of cultural and practical reasons. To reduce the current inequality, it is imperative that services take steps to increase accessibility. This study expands upon previous research by using the voices of GRT people themselves, creating a narrative built from their own emic perspectives. Unlike previous research, this study focuses exclusively on the MH of participants and includes participants from across the British Isles.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the health and well-being benefits of outdoor, cold water swimming.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the health and well-being benefits of outdoor, cold water swimming.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes the personal experience of one cold water swimmer. It also explores some of the research literature suggesting there is evidence of the benefits to the health and well-being of people of all ages.
Findings
The paper explores literature suggesting there is evidence of the benefits of “blue therapy” to the health and well-being of people of all ages.
Originality
This paper describes the personal experience of one cold water swimmer. However, a growing body of published literature suggests there is value in “blue therapy” informing future social prescribing programmes.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of the selection process used to select the ReSearcher Suite, and its implementation including an outline of why and how the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of the selection process used to select the ReSearcher Suite, and its implementation including an outline of why and how the suite was implemented at the Library in the Institute of Technology in Tallaght.
Design/methodology/approach
Case study – single site.
Findings
The Simon Frasier University (SFU) hosted ReSearcher Suite (with support) provides an open source solution for open URL linking integrated with inter‐library loan submission, federated searching, knowledge base, coverage data, and A‐Z listings for journals and databases. While it does not have the full integration with the library management system that a vendor supplied product would, the functionality is strong enough on the user end to offer a viable alternative.
Practical implications
Provides a start point for similar projects.
Originality/value
The site studied is an international customer for SFU, while the suite is still in beta. The option to have open source software hosted by the developing institution is of interest.
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On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined…
Abstract
On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined to replace the XT and AT models that are the mainstay of the firm's current personal computer offerings. The numerous changes in hardware and software, while representing improvements on previous IBM technology, will require users purchasing additional computers to make difficult choices as to which of the two IBM architectures to adopt.
Billie Lythberg, Jamie Newth and Christine Woods
The purpose of this paper is to explore how a complexity informed understanding of Indigenous–settler relationships helps people to better understand Indigenous social innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how a complexity informed understanding of Indigenous–settler relationships helps people to better understand Indigenous social innovation. To do this, this paper uses the attractor concept from complexity thinking to explore both the history and possible futures of Indigenous Maori social innovation as shaped by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper frames Te Tiriti as a structural attractor for social innovation in Aotearoa-New Zealand and explores the dynamics at play in the social and economic activities related to Te Tiriti and the ongoing settlement process in Aotearoa-New Zealand. This paper outlines this as an illustrative case study detailing the relevant contextual spaces and dynamics that interact and the emergence of social innovation.
Findings
This paper suggests that the convergent, divergent and unifying dynamics present in a structural attractor provide a useful framework for building ongoing engagement between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people whereby Indigenous worldviews are given space to be articulated and valued.
Originality/value
In spite of the increase in research into social innovation, including in Indigenous contexts, the “context” of “postcolonial” context remains under-theorised and people’s understanding of the power dynamics at play here limits the understanding of how the mechanisms of Indigenous–settler partnerships structure social innovation and its impact.
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Harald Harung, Fred Travis, Warren Blank and Dennis Heaton
Today, there is a global need for more effective leaders. The purpose of this paper is to present a model of human development which covers the psychological, physiological, and…
Abstract
Purpose
Today, there is a global need for more effective leaders. The purpose of this paper is to present a model of human development which covers the psychological, physiological, and sociological dimensions of leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review three research studies in which they have investigated the relationships between consciousness, psycho‐physiological integration, and leadership performance using physiological measures, psychological tests, and self‐reports.
Findings
These studies support the model that leadership ability is closely related to psycho‐physiological refinement – the authors found that higher integration of the electrical brain activity, more mature moral reasoning, and more frequent peak experiences are found in top performers compared to average performers.
Research limitations/implications
The high frequency of peak experiences among top performers reveals the importance of such gratifying inner experiences for the business community.
Practical implications
The research suggests that practical methods for psycho‐physiological refinement – such as the widely researched Transcendental Meditation technique – can be useful in developing more effective leadership. The brain integration scale presented here may be a reliable objective instrument for assessing an individual's leadership and performance capacity.
Originality/value
A unique contribution of the authors' research is to recognize that integrity – an essential requisite for leadership – has a physiological counterpart in the integration seen in the functioning of the brain through electroencephalography.
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