For streaming video options, click the "Multimedia Database Tools" guide, then the Video Resources tab.
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As part of our Introduction to Research instruction suite, we offer the Freshman Seminar, Composition 1, and Composition 2 information literacy instruction classes. These classes are meant to serve as a sequential introduction to the library resources and the research process. These classes are complementary and intend to deepen the students' understanding of conducting college-level research.
The Upper Level Course and Capstone Project instruction options are meant for students in higher-level classes that explore a particular area of study. These sessions prepare students to identify and work with the specific databases, books, and journals that relate to their major or field of research.
Beyond the traditional instruction setting, we also offer alternative formats of information literacy instruction including research consultations and customized research guides. These types of instruction can be tailored to particular courses as students and instructors work with the library to gather specific research tools.
Our Cornerstone/Seminar sessions prepare incoming students to begin using the library when working on class assignments and research papers. Our aim is to introduce them to the research process and get them better acquainted with utilizing the libraries' resources. We will cover:
Online instruction covers the same topics, with online activities and discussion with a librarian. The handout below is one of the group activities completed at in-person sessions.
The Composition 1 session focuses on familiarizing students with databases and other research tools, supporting them as they become more comfortable with research projects. Students work together in small groups to explore a specific research tool. Each group then makes a short presentation to the class in order to show what they've learned and so that everyone in the class can see each tool being used for research. This session typically covers:
The handouts below were created for a specific Composition 1 class and assignment. We are happy to modify these based on different instructors' requirements. Please let us know what would work best for your course and your students!
The Composition 2 session is meant to serve as a companion to Freshman Seminar and Composition 1 as students transition from their first-semester courses to intermediate-level courses. Students will build on the skills learned in these earlier sessions. Navigating and evaluating a variety of sources is the focus. This session covers:
Instruction sessions can also be coordinated for specific classes in order to show students more specific resources for a particular field. Sessions can be conducted in the library or the classroom to prepare students to engage with subject-specific databases, books, and tools that relate to a particular assignment or topic.
Capstone instruction sessions are meant to prepare upper-level students for their Capstone projects. These sessions will help students develop their research topics, find and evaluate relevant sources, and delve more deeply into subject-specific resources that relate to the students' field.
These research guides (LibGuides) reflect some of the resources highlighted in these types of sessions:
Faculty also have the option of integrating online research consultations into students' coursework. These can be scheduled in conjunction with instruction sessions or may serve in lieu of a formal class.
In a consultation setting, students gain more individualized experience with specific library resources as they research topics with librarians. Research consultations can be scheduled as one-on-one sessions or with small groups.
Librarians are able to work with students during these consultations on general research help, specific topic development, and guided research support. Students may schedule these appointments on their own for any class, or as part of an assignment.
In addition to or in lieu of information literacy instruction sessions, librarians can create customized research guides for a particular class, topic, or assignment. These guides help students to locate relevant research materials including books, journals, and databases. Some examples include:
