Librarians want to meet you! Since it would be nearly impossible for us to conduct individual class sessions with every 100-level writing course, we offer a vigorous train-the-trainer program. Contact Sue Skekloff at skekloff@ipfw.edu or 481-6011 to get information on current instructor training sessions, or individual appointments to provide you with all you need to know to use the Library's electronic classroom for one or more meetings with your students. We will also look over your library assignments to make sure changes in our library environment are represented. See also Designing Effective Library Assignments for quick tips and ideas that work best. Finally, we offer a library/composition listserv to announce library news of interest to writing instructors and provide a forum for discussion throughout the semester. Send your email address to Sue Skekloff to be added to the listserv.
The resources listed below offer some time saving methods to give your students a leg up on a variety of information foraging skills. Many of them are already available on the Library's Course Guide Eng W130-W131-P131 Elementary Composition Program
Library Tour Are your students expressing some library anxiety? Suggest they take the virtual or walking library tour and quiz to make them more knowledgeable about library locations and services.
The Finding Articles Tutorial and Searching IUCAT Tutorial are designed to teach students how to navigate these two basic research paths.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center (Thomson-Gale) and CQ Researcher (CQ Press) are great "getting started" resources for generating essay topic ideas.
Academic Search Premier (EBSCOhost) The number one database used by beginning writing students to find periodical articles. It is featured in the Finding Articles Tutorial.
Information Foraging Worksheet (PDF) Designed to help students understand and use basic search logic and keyword strategy, keep track of what searches they have already tried and more.
Is Your Journal Scholarly? (PDF) and Is your Web Site Credible? are handy guides to assist your students in evaluating information sources.
Most important? Make sure your students know that they can sign up at the Library's Service Desk for a one-on-one appointment with a librarian for customized help with any library related question.
