About Library Jeopardy

Background
Library Jeopardy began at Viterbo University during fall 2002 with a paper "screen," and was developed as an active learning tool for students who were taking basic English composition for the second time. Instead of repeating what students had experienced during their previous basic English composition class, we played a rousing game of Library Jeopardy, which provided a means for me to assess what students retained from their first library instruction session.

In fall 2003, the current web version was created for UW-L students as a pilot for an oral communication class. All sections of this course come to the library for instruction. The purpose is to reiterate important concepts, and for the librarian to immediately assess the instruction session.

Feedback
All fall 2003 English composition students who played Library Jeopardy reported that it was more fun than their first library orientation session.

During spring 2004, Library Jeopardy was played in three oral communication classes. A review of students' evaluations for these classes shows six positive comments for Library Jeopardy, three negative, and seven comments about Library Jeopardy prizes or lack there of. One of the course professor evaluations noted their favorable opinion of Library Jeopardy.