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Student responses to an animated character in information literacy instruction

Jennifer Poggiali (Lehman College, City University of New York, New York, New York, USA)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 20 December 2017

Issue publication date: 7 February 2018

916

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reports on a grant-funded project to create a hand-drawn, custom-made animated character named Jasmyn. Drawing on animation theory, the purpose of this paper is to use qualitative research to investigate student responses to the medium of animation, the character’s design, and three presentation strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers held three student focus groups to investigate the following research questions: Will students endorse animation as a medium for library instructional videos on the grounds of its entertaining, subversive, or playful qualities? Is Jasmyn designed and written in a way that engages students and compels them to respond to her as a character? How will students respond to three presentation strategies: a lecture-style video, a video with supplemental animations, and a real-time, interactive lesson?

Findings

The researchers found that students expressed broad enthusiasm for animation as a medium, though responses to Jasmyn’s personality were mixed. The only presentation strategy that prompted unique responses was the interactive session, although all three focus groups provided revealing commentary about online learning. Students also identified aspects of the animation and character that could be improved, and reflected on ways Jasmyn might be integrated into online learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study, performed as part of a pilot project, was deliberately small in scale. Clearer implications would emerge from repetition with a larger group of students.

Originality/value

Jasmyn may be the only hand-drawn, custom-made animated character created for library instruction. No research studies on the use of animation in libraries have been published to date.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Michael Ferraro, the Executive Director of the FIT/Infor Design and Tech Lab, was the co-investigator on the grant that funded this project, creator of the software that made it possible, and mastermind of many of its most inventive aspects. His vision, determination, and hard work made this possible. Thanks are also due to many of the collaborators, chief among them are Christine Mariani, Robert Wurzburg, and the exceptionally talented student intern, Lauriz Bonzon. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LG-46-13-0253-13. The funder played no role in the design and execution of the research presented herein.

Citation

Poggiali, J. (2018), "Student responses to an animated character in information literacy instruction", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 29-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-12-2016-0149

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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