Instruction

Librarians can help your students:

• Develop effective search strategies.
• Find digital video, audio and images online.
• Identify creditable sources.
• Locate sources both here and in other libraries.
• Cite sources correctly.

Students learn these skills through a combination of methods. These methods include: 1) developing an effective library assignment, 2) imbedding library sources and services in your courseware, 3) planning a "library day" for a class in the library electronic classroom, 4) encouraging your students to seek individual consultation with a librarian for an assignment, and 5) having an assignment posted to the library Intranet so that it is available for librarians providing reference help. Your department's liaison librarian is available to discuss these ideas with you.

First Year Programs

Learning effective basic research skills early will give students a distinct advantage as they pursue their degrees. Help in fostering critical thinking, using information ethically, and easing the transition from high school to college-level work are among the benefits of early research instruction. Library liaisons are assigned to each of the first year programs as a partner to assist faculty and students. The assignments are as follows:

Composition/Communication

FYS Learning Communities

Research Help by Appointment

Encourage students who might benefit from one-on-one instruction with a librarian to schedule a personal consultation. An advantage of this kind of instruction is that students can submit the details of their research projects in advance so that the librarian can prepare for their visit. Students can request these sessions online by using the personal consultation form or by contacting the department liaison directly. The form and liaison contact list are on the library home page under Help With Research, "Ask a Librarian."

Specialized Instruction in Subject Areas and Majors

Your department liaison is available to partner with you in providing students help with specialized subject research. This instruction could take the form of any of the ideas mentioned above. Students who understand the key research databases in a particular field will be able to expand their learning beyond the limits imposed by classroom time or textbooks.