Engaging Students in Searching the Literature

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Educational Technology
• Academic Librarianship

Background:

• The College of Pharmacy revised its library curriculum in 2014.
• Instructional changes included increased session frequency, scaffolding, and a flipped classroom model.
• Active learning and assessments were integrated throughout the revised curriculum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the gamification of an active learning session within the pharmacy library curriculum.
• To explain the rationale for using a "serious game" to improve student learning.
• To detail the creation process and theoretical underpinnings of the gamified learning experience.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a "serious game" for active learning within a library instruction session.
• Scaffolding of instruction and adoption of a flipped classroom model.
• Integration of active learning strategies and assessments.

Main Results:

• The gamified approach was identified as a suitable tool for enhancing student learning.
• The article outlines the development process of the serious game.
• The theoretical framework supporting the gamification strategy is discussed.

Conclusions:

• Gamification using serious games can be an effective strategy in pharmacy library education.
• The revised curriculum and gamified session demonstrate a commitment to innovative pedagogical approaches.
• Further exploration of serious games in academic libraries is warranted.