UC&R: Aston UniversityNovember 18th 2004

Nigel Morgan

Shwmae! Welcome to Effective Induction:

Introducing the Cephalonian Method

Outline of session

• Self-assessed reflection quiz

• Presentation and demonstration of “the Cephalonian Method”

• Questions

Please fill in your Library Induction Quiz sheet

Thanks!

Library Induction Quiz - Inductometer

Scores:7-9 Induction Dinosaur

- come out of your cave, the ice age is over!!

10-15 Induction Hamster- maybe it’s time to jump off that wheel?

16-23 Induction Grafter - good work, but room for improvement?

24-28 Induction Dynamo- would you like to lead this session please?

Induction:

“An initial experience, an exposure that introduces one to something previously mysterious or unknown”

(Webster’s International Dictionary)

Introducing the Cephalonian Method

What is it?

It’s an accepted fact that library induction is “boring”. So why bother

revamping our sessions?

• Traditional methods needed revitalising

• Get information across more effectively

• To inspire ourselves!- inject some spontaneity

• Information Literacy policy

What qualities did we want our new-style induction to have?

• An interactive format– illusion of being “student driven”

• Interesting, informative, lively, entertaining - attention grabbing!

• Enjoyable to deliver

• Careful use of humour

• A sense of theatricality and unpredictability

Where did we get our inspiration? And WHY are you reading out questions

from those coloured cards?

The Cephalonian Method explained

Basic introductory information

Finding reading list items

Services and facilities

Miscellaneous  

Biosciences Study Centre

PC rooms in Science Library • Microsoft applications • Blackboard, Internet, & email

Networked printing payment:• Laser printing (b&w)

- 6p per A4 sheet• Colour printing

- 20p per sheet

My Mum’s e-mailed me a photo of Miguel, my

pet iguana. Where can I print him out?

2 week loan - 25p / day

1 week loan – 50p / day

Overnight loan - £1 / hour

Phew!

What if I don’t renew or bring the stuff back

on time?

Use Voyager to place reservations

E.g.

Germann, W. & Stanfield, C. Principles of human physiology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings. 2002.

None of the books I need are on the shelf. How do I get hold of

them?

What really irritates us?

Eating & drinking

Excessive noise

Personal stereos

Loud talkers

Theft

Mobile phones !

Mobile phones !!

Mobile phones !!!

What are the advantages of using the Cephalonian

Method?

• A good icebreaker

• Works well with large groups• Encourages interaction / discussion

within small groups

• Adaptable for different audiences• Allows the presenter to be creative!

– no two sessions are ever the same

• Achieved our objectives

What are the potential pitfalls?

• Unpredictability for presenter• Problematic if too few attend• Lacks “spatial orientation” value• General shyness

– You can’t audition students!

• Audibility• Colour perception issuesANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!

So, how did the students react to the Cephalonian

Method?“Really good idea, made it more fun to

watch presentation”

“Very well presented..loved it….Bravo!”

“It was a creative way of introducing the library. Student’s participation was a smart idea!”

“It was a bit weird”

“Who is the guy in the photos? Can I have his phone number?”

“Did you think that this session provided an effective introduction

to the library?”

Yes 98% No 0%

Don’t Know 2%

531

0 90

100

200

300

400

500

600

Number of Students

Yes No Don't know

Response

An Effective Introduction?

“How did you rate the session overall?”

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

7 - 19% 8 – 37%

9 - 23% 10 - 12%

7

8

10

9

“Do you think it will be beneficial to attend the next info skills session?”

Yes 81%No 4%Don’t Know 15%

418

21

77

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Number of Students

Yes No Don't know

Response

Beneficial to Attend Next Session?

How and why did we incorporate music and what

did we choose?• Positive effect on mood / atmosphere• An aid to learning?

– “Mozart effect”

• We used:– Santana / Latin American classical guitar– Talking Heads / Paul Weller– J.S. Bach– Sarah Brightman– New Age / Inspirational

Student “hot picks”

• “We’ve Got to Get Out of This Place” – The Animals

• “I Want to Break Free” – Queen• “Bat out of Hell” – Meatloaf• Hip hop / Jungle / Metallica / Punk Rock• The national anthem (?)• “Anything is good to stop lectures

being boring!”

• “More music would be fun"

Who else has used the Cephalonian Method and how

successful has it been?

• Manchester Metropolitan University

• Barnet College

• Community College, Shoreditch

• Cornwall College, Saltash

Where can I find information on the

Cephalonian Method?• Webb, J. & Powis, C. 2004. Teaching information

skills: theory and practice. Case Study 11, pp. 123-5. London: Facet Publishing.

• Morgan, N. & Davies, L. 2004. Innovative induction: introducing the Cephalonian Method. SCONUL Focus 32. (in press)

• Rowlands, A. 2004. Innovative inductions. CoFHE Bulletin 104 (October) p. 2.

How can the Cephalonian Method be developed in the future?

• Incorporate virtual tour

• VLE quiz

• Better graphics

• Sound effects

• Audience Participation Technology (APT)

– “Ask the Audience” features

Suggestions from students:

“Not sure of library venues so a quick tour could help”

“Better effects – eg. Annoying mobile phone ring”

“Add video clips”

“Hold the induction later in the day – 9.00am is too early to concentrate!”

“Cheesy music and snacks”

“Pom Pom girls and lap dancers please!”

UC&R Aston University November 18th 2004

Nigel Morgan

And that was the Cephalonian Method!

Thanks for your attention!