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Books About the War>Non-Fiction>Teaching the War

Effective Library Assignments

 

Well designed course-related library assignments are an effective way to introduce students to research. The following guidelines are meant to assist classroom faculty, ensure students of a positive library experience and reinforce library use as a means of learning.

Before the Assignment

Get acquainted with your students and their various needs, abilities, and learning styles.

Determine the purpose/goal of the assignment and how it fits within course objectives.

Consider alternatives* to the traditional research paper.

Choose assignments that require critical thinking and the integration of knowledge. Avoid scavenger hunts and library tours. See Critical Reading: A Guide.

Smaller scale assignments help students build confidence in their own research abilities; this leads to less frustration in library use and probably an even better outcome.

Have realistic expectations for the assignment. Assume minimal library knowledge.

Make sure students can use necessary equipment. (computers, copiers, microfilm readers, etc.) See How to Help Someone Use a Computer.

Decide whether or not you want your students to use the Internet. If Internet use is acceptable, determine the level of your student's Internet skills. See When and How to Search the Net, and My First First Rule of Information.

If you are giving your students information for accessing the Web and/or the Library's databases, make sure (or ask a librarian to make sure) the directions are as up-to-date as possible. Remember...the world of technology rapidly changes!

Consult with a reference librarian before the assignment.

Make sure the Library owns the needed information.

Schedule a research workshop in the library or encourage individual research consultations between students and a librarian.

Alert reference and circulation staffs of an upcoming assignment that will require heavy library use so that materials may be set aside, acquired, or placed on reserve. Avoid the mob scene.

Send a copy of your assignment to the reference department in advance.

Notify the Reference Desk if you plan to visit with your class to work on your assignment. This will avoid conflicts when more than one class visits at the same time.

Try the assignment yourself. Is it doable?

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During the Assignment


Explain the assignment clearly, preferably in writing.

Teach research strategies when appropriate. See:

If the use of scholarly journals is required, make sure students understand the difference between a magazine and a journal:

Avoid library jargon.

Enable students to evaluate and distinguish between types of sources.

Be aware of copyright restrictions.

Encourage students to read and understand the school's information technology policies and rules.

Understand the interlibrary loan system.

Emphasize respect for library materials.

Help students pace the assignment.

Encourage students to work with the reference librarians.

Make sure students understand the need to cite sources and the forms to be used. See The Trouble with Citing Sites.

Be aware of and warn students about plagiarism.

It is possible to check for plagiarism at these sites:

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After the Assignment

Evaluate the assignment? What needs to be changed?

Would you give the assignment again? Why or why not?

Ask students to evaluate the assignment.

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Alternatives to the Research Paper

  • Annotated bibliographies
  • Comprehensive book reviews
  • Real life, practical, situational assignments
  • Comparisons between a popular magazine article and a scholarly journal article on the same topic
  • Research guides that introduce new majors to the information resources and research strategies in their subject field.
  • Comparisons of different accounts of the same event
  • Research events from students' date of birth (verify first that information is available at the library)
  • Forecasting (what did articles written in the 1960s predict about the future of computers, etc.)

see also Term Paper Alternatives.
(http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/PaperAlternatives.html)


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