Library Skills Program: Integrating Basic Research Skills Instruction into any Course, Using WebCT

1
Library Skills ProgramIntegrating Basic
Research Skills Instruction into any Course,
Using WebCT

• Jean Luyben
• Information Services Librarian,
• Trent University

2
The Library Skills Program

• run entirely by the library
• doesnt take away from class time
• students work on their own time, 24/7
• students get a grade for participation, which is
  incorporated into the grade for their course
• course instructors have the freedom to determine
  how it is incorporated
• the grade comes from a test in WebCT
• plenty of help is available through the library

3
Consists of 4 modules

• online tutorials (optional)
• small-group instructional sessions (optional)
• personal assistance from the Information Desk
  (optional)
• onsite
• by phone
• by email
• through online discussion groups
• online test in WebCT
• this is the only REQUIRED module

4
The Process

• course instructors register with me to
  participate
• provide dates for starting/ending
• provide information about content preferences
• apply it to a portion of the course grade
• the library creates a WebCT course and ensures
  all the students are loaded into it
• the library prepares a unique online test for the
  course
• the library assists students with completion of
  the course
• the library provides grades to course instructors

5
Lets take a look

• Go to the library homepage for a link to the
  online tutorials.
• www.trentu.ca/library
• OR
• Login to the WebCT course and follow the link
  there.
• www.trentu.ca/webct
• Login you can use
• username primo
• password primo

6
Results

• As part of each course, we include an optional
  evaluation form for students
• This academic year (2004-2005), 33 courses
  participated, involving 3,700 students
• Here are the results from 1,648 first year
  students in Peterborough this academic year

7
Has the Library Skills Program improved your
skills in searching the Library Online Catalogue
(TOPCAT)?

• No Answer 1
• Definitely 44
• Somewhat 46
• Very Little 7
• Not at All 2

8
Has the Library Skills Program improved your
skills in Keyword Searching?

• No Answer 1
• Definitely 36
• Somewhat 51
• Very Little 9
• Not at All 2

9
Has the Library Skills Program improved your
skills in finding scholarly articles on a topic?

• No Answer 1
• Definitely 38
• Somewhat 45
• Very Little 12
• Not at all 4

10
How long did you spend working on the Library
Skills Program, including reading the tutorials
and completing the online test?

• No Answer 1
• Under 1 hour 25
• 1-2 hours 48
• 2-3 hours 17
• Over 3 hours 9

11
Do you feel that you are now prepared to do your
library research this year?

• No Answer 2
• Definitely 32
• Somewhat 58
• Not Really 8
• Not at all 1

12
Would you recommend this program for all Trent
University students?

• No Answer 1
• Yes 81
• No 17

13
Did you encounter any technical problems with the
program? If so, how did you overcome them?

• proxy access for external databases
• slow computer connection
• multiple windows open
• cant find their grade
• didnt read / follow instructions

14
What was most useful about this program?

• working on their own time
• getting real practice with real databases
• learning keyword techniques
• forced to do it

15
What improvements would you recommend?

• dont do it more than once
• make it easier/quicker
• make access to journal articles easier

16
Teaching Faculty Response

• participation grows each year
• doesnt take time away from their classes
• students need help!
• fight the google urge
• generally, it seems that research improves

17
Questions/Comments?

• Jean Luyben
• Information Services Librarian
• Trent University