Database workshop without a lab

As our student population grows, it becomes more difficult to secure a computer lab for library workshops. This happened to me this week when I conducted a journal database workshop for English Comp. Thankfully most of the classrooms now have overhead projectors connected to the instructor's computer. I was trying to figure out a way to make the workshop interesting when students could not sign on and try their own searches. As the students arrived, I handed them a slip of paper and told them to write their program at the top and write their thesis statement or what they were going to write about for their project. (Engaging the student as they walk in the door) I collected these and then had the students get into small groups by program. I had them brainstorm for about 10 minutes to come up with search terms that they could use. (Catering to the millenniums who like to do group work) Then I did one search from each program in Ebsco, showing the students how to narrow their search; find scholarly, peer-reviewed articles; and how to create an account and save to their folder. We also took a look at Proquest and Safari to show other types of databases. Overall, the students were engaged and I received positive feedback. One drawback was that the students were not able to fill out their electronic surveys during the workshop. However, I did check later and one of the students had taken the time to do it.