Key Questions
- Are these the most useful or relevant library resources
(either print or online) to use for this assignment?
- Are the directions clear to students? Is the assignment
too vague?
- Am I up-to-date on the new resources available in the
library?
- Are there enough materials available for student use?
- Have I asked a librarian to
help me identify good resources that everyone can access?
- Does the library carry the materials that I am suggesting?
Library Assignment Tips
The Basics: Define, Develop, Test
Define your Objectives
- What do you expect students to learn as a result of
the assignment?
- Is the assignment part of a bigger paper or a "treasure
hunt?"
- How does the assignment relate to your general course
objectives?
Develop the assignment
- Include critical thinking. Does the assignment require
students to consider what they have learned?
- Will students evaluate the information they find and
compare to other sources?
- Can students tailor the assignment to their interests,
make choices, explore different approaches?
- Suggest a time frame for completion of each segment
- Schedule library sessions for the assignment at the
time the students will need to do research
Test the Assignment
- Try the assignment yourself. If you have
trouble finding something, your students won't find it
any more easily.
- Are the materials in the library? Check
the Library Catalog or consult with your library
liaison to ensure materials are available.
- If the assignment requires students to use resources
from Ann Arbor or from another area university, be aware
that it will take students more time.
- If many students are asked to look at one specific
source, consider placing the resource on Reserve.
- Can more than one resource be used to answer a question?
Suggest alternative titles when possible.
Other things to consider:
What materials are accessed online?
- Many of our journals are available in full text from
library research
databases accessed via the web. Some are available
only online.
- Some are only available in print.
- Some have to be interlibrary loaned from the Ann Arbor
campus.
- It is important to distinguish electronic titles from
their print counterparts;
some change title names when formats are changed.
For example:
Psychological Abstracts is the print title
of this publication
PsycInfo is the electronic title of Psychological Abstracts.
This distinction is important so students will not waste time searching
for titles that no longer exist under its "print" title.
Internet Assignments
- Can students distinguish between "free" sites on the
Internet for information and "paid" sites (such as our
subscription databases)?
- Can they evaluate the quality of information found on
the Internet?
- Be aware that internet sites change often. If you require
the use of an Internet site for a class assignment, check
to make sure it's still available or hasn't changed drastically.
- Suggest a specific Internet site(s) that may have information
needed for research, or a couple of search engines (Yahoo,
Northernlight, etc.) that can be used to find the information.
HELP!
As always, the Library Research Center librarians are willing to assist
you in creating a library assignment or preparing a library
research education session in conjunction with a specific assignment.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.
