October 1998
Newsletter #31
 

Dubin Classroom Improves Library Research Instruction

EIU Country Reports Now Online 

Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe Available Campus-Wide 

What's Your Opinion? 
Library Surveys It's Users

Easy Access to WorldCat 

Vending Machines Installed in Second Floor Lounge 

New Computers Installed

Library Homepage Redesigned 

Faster Reserves Processing 

New Entrance Policy: 
ID's Required

Understanding how to find and use reliable, relevant information from the vast array of possible sources has become a complex task. Georgetown University librarians teach library research methods to thousands of students each year, but the classroom reserved for library research instruction had limitations that prevented it from providing the best learning environment.  Now, with the creation of the Wilbert B. Dubin Memorial Classroom, librarians can better prepare students to do effective library research. 

The Wilbert B. Dubin Memorial Classroom was named in honor of alumnus (F'47, G'50 and '53), library supporter, and member of the Library Advisory Council.  Mr. Dubin's family provided for the extensive renovation of Lauinger Room 156 and established an endowment for its maintenance.

The classroom has 24 networked Pentium II computers with 14-inch flat-screen monitors, allowing students the opportunity to practice the techniques demonstrated by the librarians.  All the computers are linked by COMWEB, a "monitor, keyboard, mouse network."  COMWEB allows the instructor to control these three devices on any or all of the computers in the classroom, giving the instructor the opportunity to orchestrate the tempo of instruction.  Eighteen workstations line the side walls of the room, with an additional six workstations located in the center of the room.  The center workstations can be removed to allow for different classroom configurations.  The instructor can project the image on his/her monitor to all computers in the classroom, thus giving all students a front-row seat.  Likewise, when a student finds a promising website or has conducted a fruitful search in a periodical index, the results can be shared with the entire class by projecting what the student found onto all of the computer monitors. 

The teacher's podium includes a computer, CD-ROM drive, COMWEB controls, digital chalkboard, a VCR, and audio controls.  The computer screen and VCR can both be displayed as a seven-foot image on the front screen via the new high-lumen video projector.  The digital chalkboard allows the instructor to "draw" on any computer or video image for emphasis.  In addition, a document camera allows the instructor to project an image of any object onto the front screen, whether it be a chart or graph from a book, a slide, or even a three-dimensional object. 

Everything in the original AV-156, from ceiling to walls, was renovated.  A new ceiling and carpet were installed. The walls were treated with an acoustical finish to reduce the noise of 250 busy fingers on the keyboards.  Flexible lighting makes it easy to see the image on the screen but also provides ample light to take notes or to view other materials being discussed.  The student desks include ergonomic keyboard-and-mouse trays and plenty of desk surface for books and for note-taking. 

Librarians have begun learning how to use all the new tools and look forward to scheduling library research skills workshops for your classes.
Call Sandy Hussey, Library Research Instruction Coordinator, at 687-7495 to plan your class.