Decoding R needs: Bridging the gap with university library workshops
Lighting Talk, 2:30 - 2:55 PM
Many university students and faculty members are expected to know R for their advanced courses or research, but access to formal teaching can be patchy at best, even in those programs that expect a certain level of knowledge and skill. Transfer students, nontraditional students, and faculty can slip through the cracks in relation to learning R or coding languages overall.
The university library has the framework and capacity to provide shorter workshops on technical topics, and can be a great resource for these learners looking to get more structured instruction. However, developing a curriculum that addresses the needs of all disciplines on campus and all levels of experience with coding languages can be challenging.
We investigated the audience that were interested in or attended our workshops on R through the library, and used what we learned to tailor the workshops to the broad range of students and faculty needs. Here, we discuss the challenges of meeting the needs we identified, including varying backgrounds, specialties, and learning styles, and how we are creating solutions to scaffold learning to meet learners where they are at.
Our approach includes teaching two different types of introductory workshops, varying in pace, format, and topics covered. By incorporating our assessment of the target audience and the availability of other resources on campus, we aim to bridge the gap in R education at the university level and enhance learning opportunities for our community.
 |
Pronouns: they/themCorvallis, OR, USABorland is a data management coordinator at the Oregon State University Library. With a background in marine science and geography, they have worked with R for many years and are passionate about sharing knowledge and skills with new users of the language, from undergraduate students to tenured faculty. |