Joan Kaplowitz—Transform Your Teaching
A Website for Information Literacy Instruction Librarians
Testimonials
“Joan’s humor, insight and passion for teaching made me a better instructor and her suggestions helped me get my first job [as a librarian]. She was always well prepared, but flexible enough to change tactics if things weren't going well. I'm still learning from her example!”—Annie Zeidman–KarpinskiAssociate Professor/Science and Technology Services Librarian (University of Oregon)
UCLA MLIS 2002“If I had two words to describe Joan’s teaching, they would be dynamic and engaging. She is a powerhouse instructor who delivers content in a vibrant and knowledgeable manner, allowing students (participants) to assimilate learning rather than imposing it upon them. Joan has taught me to take risks and try new things even if they don’t work, because it is often in that particular moment that we understand who we really are as instructors.”—Cinthya IppolitiFaculty Librarian (Paradise Valley Community College)
“Joan is the consummate educator: both a knowledgeable theoretician and a gifted practitioner. Her enthusiasm for information literacy and for her students has not wavered in the twenty-five years I’ve known her. She is an inspiration, and her published work will stand the test of time…”—Catherine BrownReference/Instruction Librarian (UCLA)
“Joan combines an encyclopedic knowledge of instructional best practice with a wealth of experience in real-life situations -- and an endless enthusiasm for her subject and her students. She is an extremely capable teacher and, even more important, inspires her students to keep learning and growing when they are out in the working world.”—Mary MenzelDirector (nonprofit reading promotion agency), UCLA MLIS 2003
“Joan – imaginative, vivacious, hilarious, creative. We had such fun teaching together during Immersion! Joan always rose to the occasion, always could come up with new approaches on the spot, and always willing to try something new.”—Susan Barnes WhyteLibrary Director (Linfield College)
“Joan does an excellent job modeling the student-centered pedagogical approaches she advocates and has invaluable experience as an instruction librarian and library administrator. With Joan’s support in and out of the class, I was hired as a faculty instruction librarian before finishing my MLIS. Having experience in instructional design, teaching best practices, and program assessment prepared me for my new position.”—Pearl LyNatural Sciences Librarian (CSU San Marcos), UCLA MLIS, MA 2008
“As my supervisor and mentor at the Biomedical Library, she taught me practical skills and shared insightful advice on being an effective teacher. Joan’s emphasis on active and participatory learning gave me great techniques and provided me with confidence when I started teaching my own information literacy classes.”—Melanee Vicedo1.Librarian (Robert W. Woodruff Library), UCLA MLIS 2007
“Joan has an ability to combine instructional theory and practice. In addition to the practical teaching skills I observed and learned from her, I gained a capacity to read, understand, and incorporate theory into my own teaching – which is a skill I use every day!”—Dominique TurnbowUndergraduate Services Librarian (UCSD Biomedical Library), UCLA MLIS 2002
“Joan’s Information Literacy Instruction course educated me on all aspects of instruction, from implementing an IL program into the curriculum to actual teaching techniques. I learned about learner-centered teaching and how to teach to different learning styles. Without her class I wouldn’t have had the skills needed in my first professional position as an instruction librarian.”—Emily BrennanUCLA MLIS 2007