TEACHING COMPETENCIES

University of New Mexico General Library

The University of New Mexico's Library Instruction and Reference In-Service Committee (LIRIC) generated a list of teaching competencies with three goals in mind:
  1. To improve the quality of teaching in the information literacy program
  2. To create an outline for training in pedagogy
  3. To provide a mechanism for self and peer assessment in library instruction.
The competencies were derived from 1) Students' Information Literacy Needs in the 21st Century: Competencies for Teacher Librarians, developed for school librarians by the Association for Teacher-Librarianship in Canada , 2) the RUSA Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Services Professionals, and the personal teaching experiences of committee members. For a more complete picture of how we developed these competencies, please read our article:

Botts, Carroll & Mark Emmons. “Developing Teaching Competencies for Instructors in the Academic Library: A Case Study,” Public Services Quarterly v1 n3 (May 2003): 65-82.

Carroll & Mark

THE SUCCESSFUL LIBRARY INSTRUCTOR

The successful library instructor is committed to:
  1. Library instruction and information literacy.
  2. Initiating collaboratively planned and taught programs to integrate information literacy in the context of the curriculum.
  3. Implementing curriculum with colleagues.
  4. Effectively using information technologies.
  5. The principles outlined in the Library Bill of Rights.


BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

1. Approachability. The successful instructor exhibits approachable behaviors to set an effective tone for the entire communication process between the instructor and students. The instructor:

1.1 Acknowledges the class with a friendly greeting and introduction.

1.2 Acknowledges the class through smiling and/or open body language.

1.3 Initiates eye contact with students.

1.4 Encourages students to ask questions as they arise.

1.5 Is poised and ready to respond to questions.

1.6 During hands‑on portion of instruction, moves around the classroom offering assistance whenever possible.

2. Interest. The successful instructor demonstrates a high degree of interest in teaching. The instructor:

2.1 Faces the class when speaking and listening.

2.2 Speaks in an enthusiastic manner.

2.2 Repeatedly re-establishes eye contact with students throughout the class.

2.4 When students ask questions, signals an understanding of the student's needs through verbal or non-verbal confirmation, such as nodding of the head or brief comments or questions.

2.5 Appears unhurried during the course of instruction.

2.6 Focuses his/her attention on the students.

3. Communicating. The effective instructor keeps students at ease. As a good communicator, the instructor:

3.1 Uses a tone and volume of voice appropriate to the size of the class.

3.2 Varies tone of voice to avoid monotonous delivery.

3.3 Communicates in a receptive, cordial, and encouraging manner.

3.4 Demonstrates flexibility by allowing student and teaching faculty participation during instruction, keeping presentation dynamic and flexible while achieving stated objectives.

3.5 Allows students to fully state questions before responding.

3.6 Rephrases the student's question and asks for confirmation to ensure that it is understood.

3.7 Seeks to clarify confusing terminology and avoids excessive jargon.

3.8 Uses terminology that is understandable to the students.

3.9 Maintains objectivity and does not interject value judgments about subject matter of the class or the nature of the questions that arise during instruction.

4.  Follow-up. The successful instructor:

4.1 Asks if students have any questions before concluding each unit of the instruction and again at the end of the instruction session.

4.2 Encourages students to contact the instructor or reference staff when future information needs arise.


PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

1. Relationships. The successful instructor places a high priority on relationships with teaching faculty, students, and other library instructors. The instructor:

1.1 Maintains a rapport through regular and appropriate forms of communication.

1.2 Understands learning theory and its instruction applications.

1.3 Understands students, their information needs and learning styles.

1.4 Routinely and actively engages in outreach to market instructional services.

1.5 Develops a collaborative approach to the instructional environment with teaching faculty, making an effort to fully understand the information needs of each class taught.

1.6 Develops a collaborative approach with other library instructors by such means as information sharing, membership in LIRIC, or team teaching.

2. Curriculum. The successful instructor maintains a working familiarity with curriculum programs mandated by the University and academic departments. The instructor:

2.1 Is aware of curriculum.

2.2 Is aware of curriculum changes and implications for instruction.

2.3 Integrates information literacy into the context of curriculum.

2.4 Provides support for teaching faculty and students through training.

2.5 Understands the appropriate integration of resources and technologies with specific curriculum areas.

2.6 Promotes congruence of stated learning outcomes, delivered curriculum, assessment, and supporting resources and technologies.

3. Instructional Design. The successful instructor understands and applies good instructional design technique. The instructor:

3.1 Analyzes teaching faculty expectations to determine appropriate print and electronic resources to be introduced.

3.2 Identifies learning needs and creates attainable learning objectives to cover those needs.

3.3 Develops a lesson plan that addresses the "who, what, how, why, when, and where" of meeting identified learning objectives.

3.4 Schedules instruction facility for the time and date instruction is to occur.

3.5 Is fully prepared to deliver lesson when instruction occurs.

3.6 Seeks evaluative feedback through observation, conversation, or written evaluations from students and teaching faculty.

3.7 Strives to improve instructional design.

4. Subject Expertise. The successful instructor maintains a working familiarity with subject matter of classes taught. The instructor:

4.1 Is aware of basic precepts of subject, current methodologies, and current topics.

4.2 Understands and employs the vocabulary of subject when appropriate.

4.3 Can identify major print and electronic resources relevant to subject.

5. Technology & Training. The successful instructor maintains a current knowledge of information resources appropriate to subjects taught. The instructor:

5.1 Has expertise in the effective use of relevant print and electronic resources.

5.2 Has expert knowledge in evaluating learning resources in different formats to support the instructional program.

5.3 Uses appropriate information technology to teach the acquisition, organization, and dissemination of information.

5.4 Attends training sessions in the use of relevant new print and electronic resources.

5.5 Attends training sessions in new instructional strategies.

5.6 Maintains a familiarity with appropriate instructional technology.

6. Information Literacy. The successful instructor knows that information literacy is a basic survival skill in the Information Age. Information literacy involves the ability to recognize when information is needed and to then be able to locate, evaluate, and use that information effectively. The instructor:

6.1 Is familiar with the concept of information literacy.

6.2 Is committed to integrating information literacy into instruction.

6.3 Familiarizes the teaching faculty with information literacy and its significance.

6.4 Stays current on trends in information literacy.

7. Evaluation of Instruction Services. The successful instructor:

7.1 Actively seeks opportunities for improvement and strives for excellent programs and services.

7.2 Solicits feedback from students, teaching faculty, or other library instructors.

7.3 Demonstrates how library instruction services add value to the University.

7.4 Refocuses instruction services on new needs.


PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

1. Commitment to Excellence. The successful instructor is committed to excellence in instruction. The instructor:

1.1 Seeks feedback and uses it for continuous improvement.

1.2 Celebrates own success and that of others.

1.3 Takes pride in a job well done.

1.4 Shares new knowledge with other instructors.

1.5 Seeks to meet and exceed the changing needs and expectations of the University community.

1.6 Consults the professional literature to improve instruction services.

2. Seeing the Big Picture. The successful instructor sees instruction as part of the big picture. The instructor:

2.1 Recognizes that excellent instruction services are a critical factor in training students to be successful lifelong learners.

2.2 Understands that instruction services are crucial to the mission of the UNM General Library.

2.3 Anticipates trends and pro‑actively realigns instruction services to take advantage of them.

2.4 Understands the value of partnerships and alliances within the library and university community.

3. Mutual Respect and Trust. The successful instructor creates an environment of mutual respect and trust. The instructor:

3.1 Values diversity, treating all students, teaching faculty and other instructors with respect and civility.

3.2 Knows own strengths and those of teaching faculty and other instructors.

3.3 Is dependable.

3.4 Values and acknowledges the contributions of others in a problem‑solving environment.

4. Communication Skills. The successful instructor has effective communications skills. The instructor:

4.1 Conducts classes effectively by structure, pacing, timing, and maintenance of discipline.

4.2 Presents ideas clearly and enthusiastically both orally and in writing.

4.3 Requests feedback on communications skills and uses it for self improvement.

5. Teamwork. The successful instructor works well with others in a team environment. The instructor:

5.1 Seeks out opportunities for team participation with teaching faculty and other library instructors.

5.2 Asks for mentoring from others when needed and offers mentoring when appropriate.

5.3 Looks for ways to enhance personal performance in the team environment.

5.4 Displays initiative by actively seeking out instruction opportunities.

6. Leadership. The successful instructor provides leadership. The instructor:

6.1 Exercises leadership as a member of teams within the library and university community.

6.2 Seeks opportunities for leadership.

7. Planning, Prioritization, and Focus. The successful instructor plans, prioritizes, and focuses on what is critical. The instructor:

7.1 Recognizes that ongoing planning and time management are required.

7.2 Exhibits diligence making productive use of work time.

7.3 Regularly reviews goals with mentors or colleagues.

8. Lifelong Learning. The successful instructor is committed to lifelong learning. The instructor:

8.1 Advocates for a learning environment to encourage the contributions of other instructors.

8.2 Stresses the importance of lifelong learning to students and the teaching faculty.

8.3 Consults the professional literature to improve instruction services.

9. Flexibility. The successful instructor is flexible and positive in a time of continuing change. The instructor:

9.1 Embraces change by demonstrating a willingness to take on different responsibilities and respond to changing needs.

9.2 Accepts and deals effectively with ambiguity.

9.3 Maintains a positive attitude and helps others to do the same.

9.4 Looks for solutions.

9.5 Uses technology as an enabler.