Instruction Services

What is course-related library instruction?

Course-related library instruction is:

  • research practices for students to support learning and optimize performance in your class
  • planned in full consultation with faculty
  • designed to support your learning outcomes
  • highly customizable...do your students need to know how to find the best articles for your assignment? Online handbooks for finding material properties? We teach them what they need for your class.

It can take the following forms, available singly, or in combination:

  • in-class, hands-on library research session with a librarian
  • customized research resource webpage (Library Course Page)
  • Research tips, tutorials, or other resources that you can integrate into your eCow2 or Learn@UW course pages
  • Learn@UW Librarian Role
  • blogging to troubleshoot research assignments with your students
  • other ideas?
  • "Library Ready" assignment consultation. Do your students know how to find the information they will need to successfully complete the assignment? Do they know enough to go beyond Google? Partner with a librarian to scaffold good disciplinary research processes into your assignment.

Topics can include:

  • finding articles and conference papers on a topic (online and print)
  • finding other key resources such as books, technical reports, standards, patents (online and print)
  • doing literature reviews
  • informational value of various sources
  • basic search skills, tips, and habits of effective researchers
  • critically evaluating information
  • quality bibliographies and avoiding plagiarism
  • Library Express to order electronic articles
  • efficient use of Google Scholar or sci/tech search engines for academic research
  • managing bibliographic citations using tools such as RefWorks or EndNote
  • any other critical information skills, issues, or resources of which you want your students to be aware

Library research sessions can be arranged for undergraduate, graduate-level courses, or research groups. They can happen in the Wendt Library instruction classroom, room 108, or in your regular classroom.

The ideal time to contact us to take advantage of these services is when you are planning your syllabus and schedule, before the semester starts...but we'll help any time!