Library Tools for Teaching Kate Peterson, University Libraries Shannon Klug, Writing Studies August 30, 2010

Agenda Research skills of Undergraduates Tools for Teaching –New website –Library Course Page (Course reserves) –Peer Research Consultants –Assignment Calculator –UThink

Is research today… Harder? Easier?

Undergraduate Students Start with Google and Wikipedia Little discipline knowledge Never used an academic library (may not have had librarian or library training in high school) No knowledge of how scholarly communication works

New Libraries website Tabbed structure-easier for undergrads to search More safety nets Great in usability testing

Available for all courses Easy URL: Course specific library databases and support, links to course reserves, chat with a librarian “Block” in Moodle and on MyCourses tab

Course and E-reserves Can be used for a variety of materials When licensed resources are linked inside e- reserve course pages, instructors no longer need to include them in traditional course packs –Not paying royalties on licensed articles saves students money! Statistics show that students use e-reserves heavily Library will evaluate non-licensed documents for fair use

Peer Research Consultants Support undergraduate library research PRCs have completed WRIT 1301 Extensive training in library research, tutoring and cultural competencies vices/prchttps:// vices/prc

Peer Research Consultants Available for one-on-one drop-ins in early October PRCs can help with students with… (average of 30 mins per student) –Selecting and narrowing a topic –Finding books –Finding articles and scholarly articles –Evaluating sources –Basic citation creation

Debuted in 2002 Created in partnership with Center for Writing and Center for Teaching and Learning Goal: Break down research and writing process for students into deadlines (get reminders) New beta version in 2009:

Customize assignments for your class –Research Paper –Poster –Media/Video Add, delete, edit steps Add course specific readings, etc. to a step Move assignment online (where students live) –Students can sign up to get reminders

UThink Upgrade UThink blogs are hosted by University Libraries – Upgraded to MT 4.25 in 2009 UThink now has a whole bunch of new features (including tagging, page creation, custom fields, etc.)

Reasons to use a blog in your class Takes learning and engagement with classmates outside of the classroom Asynchronous Participatory / student centric Encourages collaboration Easy to share multi-media (links, images, video, etc.) Learn how to write for a public forum

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Contact Us Kate Peterson Shannon Klug