Resources for Instructors
UWP Instructor's Guide
Library Resources For
Instructors
Library research is an integral part of all University Writing
Program courses. ENC 1101 introduces students to the basics of using
sources in argumentation. ENC 1102 requires an in depth research report
in which students learn to navigate academic journals and databases.
ENC 3254 guides students through the use of technical and professional
resources. To learn these skills, students need practice and
instruction, which can take up to a week of class time. Typically that
week includes preparatory work in class, an on-line tutorial,
lab work
with a library mentor, and a follow up session in class. Most
importantly, the library work needs to be closely associated with a
writing project that students have underway.
The University of Florida has an extensive set of libraries, along
with
an ongoing commitment to digital and online services, and library
instruction. A library mentor will be assigned to your section to help
guide your students in their library research. The mentor will be
available to your students in a variety of ways:
- Library Labs. Your students conduct their research at the library while the mentor tutors them on their individual projects.
- First-Year Writing Blog. You
and your students converse with the mentor via a research blog.
- Reference Desk Hours. The
mentor is available to your students at the reference desk during
designated hours.
- Class Visits. Your
mentor may visit your class to discuss assignment-specific topics or
research problems.
Have more questions or need guidance? Contact the library
instruction coordinator for the UWP, Missy Shoop, (352) 273-2624, melshoo@uflib.ufl.edu, or the
UWP library liason, Alison Reynolds, ali.reynolds@ufl.edu.
How Writing Instructors Can Make the Most
of Their work with Library Mentors
Instructor’s Checklist:
_____ Discuss with your mentor your lesson plans for library research and send library mentor details of your students' assignment well in advance
_____ Assign your students preparatory work
_____ Explain the function of the library mentor
_____ Invite the mentor to visit your class
_____ Plan follow-up activities to reinforce the library session
1. Determine the best time to
schedule the library work in your course
• Consult your syllabi and time your
library work so that it will be the most beneficial to your
student’s research assignment.
2. Discuss with your mentor your
lesson plans for library research and Send the
library
mentor the details of your
student’s assignment well in advance of your student's library work
• Library mentors need adequate time to orient
themselves to your class and your student's work, so please send them
all pertinent information
as soon as possible.
• Summarize, or send the librarian a copy of, the class assignments your students are working on. Share your learning objectives with the librarian. For example, It is important for the library instructor to know what types of resources your students must find for their assignment (magazines, newspapers, scholarly or peer reviewed materials, etc.).
• Be as detailed as possible when discussing the
student’s research topics. It is extremely helpful to send the
librarian a list of detailed topics/thesis that your students have
chosen for their research. This information will allow your
library instructor to effectively help your students during labs or in
blog sessions.
3. Assign your students
preparatory work
• Take the online library tutorials. "Research 101" is a good starting place and should be required. These tutorials introduce core information literacy skills to your students and prepare them for making the most of their library session.
• Assign your students activities such as a
library
scavenger hunt so that they’ll ready for their library work your
mentor. Here is a Library Quiz you
can use to help orient
your students.
• Use your own personal assessments, or the
results of the tutorial quizzes to determine where your student’s
deficiencies may lie. Feel free to work with your students in
these areas & also communicate with the librarian where your
students are having trouble so these points can be reinforced in the
library session.
4. Explain the function and
availability of the library mentor
- When library labs are scheduled
- How to access the first-year writing blog
- The availability of the mentor at the reference desk
5. Invite the library mentor to visit your class
• In class the mentor can address issue specific
to your assignments or cover the use of particular resources in depth.
• Actively
participate in the library work with your mentor. It is very important
that you lead by example
and be actively engaged with your students both in class and during
their research time when they require the most help. Having a
positive, supportive attitude goes a long way in letting the class know
that the library instruction is valued & important.
6. Plan follow-up activities to
reinforce the skills learned in
the library tutorials or lab work
• Have your students complete assignments and/or discuss important or confusing topics. For example, have them explain the differences between scholarly versus popular periodicals or have students actually go and find scholarly articles in the databases.
• Take time to discuss important or confusing
topics in class and have your students complete assignments to
reinforce these concepts. For example, launch into a discussion
on the differences in content between scholarly versus popular
periodicals. Then, ask students to find peer-reviewed journal
articles using library databases and bring them to class.
Links to Library Resources
Libguides for Courses:
ENC 1102: Introduction to Argument and Persuasion
ENC 3254: Professional Communication for Engineers
Library Instruction homepage
Arranging For Library Instruction for UWP Classes
Instruction for Faculty and Graduate Students
Graduate Student Orientation at the Library
Online Library Tutorials
Key Resources and Subject Guides for English Literature
Off Campus Library Access
"Ask A Librarian" Online Service
New Library Catalog Preview
