As with many things, communication can affect how well librarians, instructional designers, and instructional technologists collaborate. The following chapter outlines strategies for improving communication and collaboration between these groups, which have been identified in research and practice; these strategies may be beneficial as you build your connections. The chapter will begin with information about effective communication and will conclude with ways to build connection, including the value of collaborative projects and how to solve the partnership puzzle.
Communication
Communication can be tricky in any organization. Effective communication can impact everything from program buy-in to retention to fundraising. Getting ahead of potential misunderstandings is a useful way to save time, money, and aggravation. For example:
Snarky comments can be fun with the right people, but also can be offensive. Such as:
- You look good for someone your age.
- You would have increased faculty buy-in if you sounded like you knew what you were talking about.
Instead of these sort of comments, consider these alternatives:
- I love your unique outfits!
- Let’s practice some technique for increasing library usage this quarter.
In the interactive book below, learn more about different kinds of messages by selecting the different pages from the menu or using the left and right arrows.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a common theme in information related to building relationships between librarians and their instructional counterparts. Building relationships between these three groups allows each party to gain a better understanding of digital resource construction and availability, design, goals, and responsibilities. Meanwhile, poor knowledge of each others roles in the university can inhibit the value for staff, faculty, and staff.
One great way to build connection is to work together to encourage, inform, train, and support faculty and students in course design, digital media, media databases, online media, public domain resources, and streaming media tools. Working together can promote creative opportunities in the design and use of the learning management system, while also addressing plagiarism, academic integrity, information literacy, and web-based technology challenges.
If LIDIT an create a collaborative environment, this will encourage and support student learning, faculty enrichment, instructional design, and the effective use of the university supported tools. LIDIT are becoming increasingly interdependent, so to achieve larger goals, collaboration and cooperation will likely be necessary.
The Partnership Puzzle
There are many ways to build effective interdepartmental partnerships; the following is not an exhaustive list. However, the list can provide insight as you begin to promote communication, collaboration, and partnership at your institution. Select each of the hotspots on the graphic below to learn more.
References
Allen, L. (n.d.) Hybrid librarians in the 21st century library; A collaborative service-staffing model. ALA. https://alair.ala.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/1f7bbc99-5942-4f64-80c5-104abf330901/content
American Library Association (2016). Fostering collaboration between librarians and instructional designers. https://www.ala.org/news/2016/08/fostering-collaboration-between-librarians-and-instructional-designers
Bearman, A., & Noyes, J. (2023). Technology tools for leaders. https://pressbooks.palni.org/technologytoolsforleaders/chapter/chapter-5/
Design thinking for libraries. http://designthinkingforlibraries.com/
Kumar, B., & Schiefelbein-Guerrero, K. (2020). Building collaboration with faculty and instructional designers. ATLA Summary of Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.31046/proceedings.2019.1533
Leuzinger, R., Lee, G., Korber, I. (2018). Keeping up with design thinking. ACRL. https://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/design
Marina (n.d.). Design thinking and ADDIE model integration: A comprehensive approach to instructional design. Your eLearning World. https://yourelearningworld.com/design-thinking-and-addie-model-integration-a-comprehensive-approach-to-instructional-design/
Oldham, B., & Skorina, D. (2009). Librarians and instructional technologists collaborate: Working together for student success. College & Research Libraries News, 70(11), 634-637. doi:https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.70.11.8285
TED-Ed (2016). How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfzeONu3Mo
