Innovative Database

Instruction – Bingo!

Amy Gratz, Instructional Services LibrarianMercer University, Jack Tarver Library

BackgroundDeveloped as an alternative to database

demonstrations for a first-semester freshman course

Competitive game similar to a scavenger hunt, but incorporating some aspects of bingoMain difference: all playing on the same bingo

boardWhen using in a class, I start with teaching

concepts and skills like keyword development and source types

Game design promotes quantity over quality

Research Bingo ActivityWork in Discovery on the topic “stem cell research”Only one computer per teamAfter completing each task, send the “runner” up to

place a sticky note on the appropriate square(s)Green tasks are double points and BINGOs are +5

points!There is no additional bonus for getting BINGO using green tasks

Goal is to be the team with the most tasks completed at the end of the time limit

Grand prize for the winning team! If the class completes all 24 tasks, everyone gets a

prize!

RESEARCH BINGO: Search Discovery

LIMIT THE SUBJECT TO "ETHICS" OR

"BIOETHICS"

USING DISCOVERY, FORMAT AN MLA

STYLE CITATION FOR AN ARTICLE

FIND A "RESEARCH STARTER" FIND A DVD

LIMIT YOUR SEARCH BY LANGUAGE (ENGLISH ONLY

PLEASE!)

FIGURE OUT HOW TO REQUEST A BOOK

FROM THE SWILLEY (ATLANTA) LIBRARY

FIND A BOOK REVIEWFIND A BOOK IN THE MERCER UNIVERSITY

LIBRARIES

LIMIT YOUR SEARCH TO THE LIBRARY

CATALOG

GET LESS THAN 1 THOUSAND SEARCH

RESULTS

FIND AN EBOOK FIND A PDF FOR A SCHOLARLY ARTICLE FREE SPACE

FIND RESOURCES ABOUT A FOREIGN

COUNTRYFIND AN IMAGE OR PIECE OF ARTWORK

FIND A CURRENT NEWS ARTICLE

GET MORE THAN 2 MILLION SEARCH

RESULTSFIND A MAGAZINE

ARTICLEFIND SOMETHING

PUBLISHED IN 2017EMAIL AN ARTICLE

WITH AN MLA CITATION

CHECK YOUR SEARCH HISTORY

LIMIT YOUR SEARCH TO FULL TEXT ONLY

FIND AN ARTICLE USING THE ORANGE

"FIND FULL TEXT" BUTTON

LIMIT THE PUBLICATION DATE

TO THE LAST 5 YEARS

FIND AN ARTICLE WITH HTML FULL-

TEXT

After the ActivityReview tasks as

needed:UncompletedParticularly tricky

I often include a very brief demonstration in another database interface to show how similar tools are often available

“I thought this was a very successful instruction

session - the bingo activity helped some of my more

reticent students engage”- Faculty member feedback

Possible AdaptationsAlways adjust topic and tasks for assignment/session goalsUpper-level or subject-specific class

Create a smaller grid if not enough discreet tasks to completeCan be used with any virtual interface

Library website? LibGuide? Purdue OWL?Skew towards a scavenger hunt and incorporate physical

resourcesWould likely need a longer time limit

Create a virtual board and ask students to compete individually, rather than in groups

With a longer time limit (and fewer tasks?), could be adapted to better incorporate higher quality research

Are They Learning?The high level of engagement strongly

suggests students were mentally engagedSpending a few minutes discussing the tricky

tasks (and demonstrating if necessary) really helps

Honestly, any method you’ve used in the past should work here, as well!

What ideas do you have?

Questions?

Image made available under a creative commons attribution 2.0 license. Credit:Bryson, R. (2011, December 16). Question box. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/fGyo6Q