Reference Services and Instruction: Five Good Things: Incorporating Relational Teaching Practices in Reference Services

Abstract

In her book Connected Teaching: Relationship, Power, and Mattering in Higher Education, Harriet Schwartz uses the relational cultural theory from psychology as a framework for creating connections and relationships between students and instructors. Schwartz explores relationships not as an additional element to teaching and learning but “as a site and source for learning” itself (emphasis added). In other words, relationships are where learning actually occurs. Schwartz posits that “connected teaching consists of and creates five elements that drive learning.” These elements parallel the five components (or “Five Good Things”) of mutual empowerment, developed by psychologists Miller and Stiver. These components that lead to strong emotional relationships between client and psychologist were the foundations of relational cultural theory (or therapy). The Five Good Things are . . .