What is the most appropriate way for a librarian to instruct students in Internet research skills?

The most effective method for teaching Internet research skills is to provide guided research workshops. This approach allows the librarian to engage students in an interactive environment where they can learn collaboratively and receive personalized feedback in real-time. Guided workshops encourage hands-on practice, allowing learners to actively participate in the research process. They can ask questions, share challenges, and explore various tools and strategies while the librarian offers targeted support and guidance tailored to their specific needs.

In contrast, demonstrating separately in different classes may limit interaction and engagement, as students miss out on the collaborative learning opportunities that workshops provide. Distributing printed guides can be helpful as supplementary materials, but they lack the interactivity and immediate assistance that students need when tackling research problems. Creating an online tutorial can be beneficial for self-paced learning, but it may not address students’ immediate questions or provide the same level of engagement that an in-person workshop can offer. Hence, guided workshops emerge as the most appropriate choice for effectively instructing students in Internet research skills.