|
This information has been provided for librarians, instructors,
faculty and other educators interested in learning more about Searchpath.
If you have contributions or suggestions about using Searchpath,
please email
us. TEST EMAIL
What
Is Searchpath?
Searchpath
is an inter-active tutorial designed to teach basic library and research
skills. It has been our experience that most students are unfamiliar
with the basics of the research process. Many feel intimidated at the
thought of having to do research, even when it is associated with a
relatively simple assignment.
The tutorial covers the basic research
process including: initial topic selection, choosing and
evaluating appropriate sources (including web sources), citation styles and the
issue of plagiarism. There is a link to Searchpath on the Clarke
Library home page.
The tutorial is organized into six modules:
| 1
- Starting smart |
introduces students to various types of sources. |
| 2
- Choosing a topic |
provides tips on broadening and narrowing a topic and discusses
search concepts. |
| 3
- Using the Clarke library catalog |
provides
an opportunity to practice searches in our online catalog. |
| 4
- Finding articles |
provides
students with practice searching the interdisciplinary Academic Search Premier database. |
| 5
- Using the Web |
includes the comparative evaluation of Web sources. |
| 6
- Citing sources |
includes
citation guidelines and the topics of plagiarism and copyright. |
Each
of the six sections takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, and students
can do this on their own time outside of class. Each of the modules
is followed by a short quiz and a results page that can be printed
off and could be submitted to their instructor.
Who
Is It Designed For?
Searchpath
is designed for students enrolled in both on campus adn distance
education classes. Primarily
designed for classes with a substantial writing or introductory-level
research component, we hope instructors of other
classes will also find it useful for their students.
Non-traditional or transfer students unfamiliar with our
library or with doing research using electronic resources and the
Web will find will the tutorial to be a helpful review.
How
Can Instructors Effectively Use Searchpath with Their Courses?
Please
have students complete Searchpath before they begin their
research or attend an information literacy (library instruction) session. Students can complete Searchpath
on their own time and submit their quiz results to you.
Each module
is followed by a short quiz and a results page that indicates the
number of correctly answered questions and an overall percentage
score for that module. The results pages can be printed out with
the student’s name at the top and submitted to you as proof
of completion. We strongly suggest that students
be required to pass the quizzes with a score of at least 85% or
better. They may retake a quiz as many times as they want.
Some instructors have chosen to give extra credit points
to students who complete Searchpath.
Does
Searchpath Replace Library Instruction?
No!
We continue to offer course-related library instruction and hope
that you will incorporate it into your syllabus. Timing is important!
Please schedule library instruction with us for a date after
your class has received a research assignment, so students learn
about the research process at a time when they need to know this
information.
In most cases we do not offer instruction sessions
without an accompanying assignment. We also request that you plan
to be present during the instruction session. Your presence allows
for interactions between students, the faculty member and the
librarian, and also allows you to emphasize selected concepts that
you feel are especially important. Research has shown that:
- Students
learn best and retain most when they feel that they have an
immediate need for the information.
- Library instruction
is more effective when the course instructor is present.
- Library instruction
is more effective when coordinated with a class assignment.
We can meet
with classes, small groups or individuals, and can custom-design
sessions to best meet your needs. Please schedule early to reserve the date and time you need--preferably
call us at least 2 weeks ahead. Requests will be filled on a first-come
basis. To arrange a library instruction session contact:
Nancy Carroll,
Assistant Library Director
library@clarke.edu
563-588-642
|
