Rapping for Research - Hawai`i Library Association

Rapping for Research: Collaboration in the
Classroom through Epic Rap Battles of History
Junie Hayashi and Courtney Takabayashi
December 6, 2014
Librarian’s Challenges
❖ Limited classroom time
➢ One shot (primary)
➢ Two part: Research
Challenge
Librarian Challenges
❖ Students don’t ask for help
➢ No connection/ relationship
with librarian
➢ Students don’t understand
what librarians do
➢ Students may not want to or
know that they need help
Epic Rap Battle Assignment
❖ What is an Epic Rap
Battle?
➢ How can it be used for
research?
➢ ENG 100 SLOs
Epic Rap Battle Assignment
❖ Sustained research assignment
➢ “Who won?” written
assignment
➢ Original rap battle
presentation
➢ Total classes (librarian
attended/invited): 14
Epic Rap Battle Assignment
❖ Rap Battles
➢ Official by Nice Peter and Epic Lloyd, creators of Epic
Rap Battles of History on You Tube
■ Dr. Seuss vs. Shakespeare
➢ Students
■ Luna Lovegood vs. Wednesday Adams
Instructor Perspective
❖ Why co-teach with a
librarian?
➢ Information literacy
specialist
➢ Improve research
skills
➢ Review works cited
How To Find the Time?
❖ Time constraints
➢ Modify syllabus to
incorporate stand
alone assignments
➢ Coordinate with
librarian’s schedule
Outcomes
❖ Traditional vs. Epic Rap
Battle Assignment
➢ Increased student
engagement
➢ Increased quality of
research and writing
Outcomes
❖ Traditional vs. Epic Rap
Battle Assignment
➢ Librarians connect
with instructors
➢ Librarians connect
with students
Conclusion
Collaboration = Student Success