Andrew Walsh, University of Huddersfield and Padma Inala, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

 - outlines the argument for more active learning techniques in our sessions
 - explains the theory of active learning
 - includes examples that can be used in teaching
 - examines new technologies to improve active learning, including mobile phones
 - provides example lesson plans to illustrate how these techniques can be used in a range of settings

A practical work outlining the theory and practice of using active learning techniques in library settings. It explains the theory of active learning and argues for its importance in our teaching and illustrated using a large number of examples of techniques that can be easily transferred and used in teaching library and information skills to a range of learners within all library sectors. These practical examples recognise that for most of us involved in teaching library and information skills the “one off” session is the norm, so we need techniques that allow us to quickly grab and hold our learners’ attention. The examples are equally useful to those new to teaching, who wish to bring active learning into their sessions for the first time, as to those more experienced who want to refresh their teaching with some new ideas and to carry on their development as librarian teachers.

Readership: Staff within library settings who have a teaching element as part of their role, along with students of LIS at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.