Bridging the gap through collaboration: Building writing intensive courses through the enhancement of students’ library research skills

Collaborative partners WAC course, Professor Rebecca Arliss Librarian, Professor Carlos Argüelles WAC fellow, Rodolfo Hernandez

Student Learning Outcomes for Critical Issues in Community Health Navigate library resources Evaluate and select articles from journals, reference books, and websites Summarize and synthesize resources in a five page paper written in drafts Design an educational handout to accompany the oral presentation

Collaborative Work Faculty and librarian plan four library sessions Hands on development and practice of library skills - students learn by doing Coaching each step of the way WAC fellow and professor review drafts Student peer review and practice with classmates Librarian and WAC fellow attend oral presentations

Library Learning Activities Pre- and post-assessment Types of information sources, e.g. books, journals, websites Use of keywords in searching Boolean operators in advanced searches, e.g. AND, OR, NOT Evaluation and selection of websites

Library Outcomes Initial assessment of students’ library search skills Instruction on the types of information sources and searching techniques Students practice searching for articles with individualized instruction from the librarian Post-assessment for evaluation and planning

Collaborative Products Library information resources highlighted and approved by professor Draft and final five page paper Draft and final educational handout Oral presentation Written reflection and personal assessment

Student’s Educational Handouts

Student’s Educational Handouts

Student’s Reflections “As I researched and wrote my synthesis on my topic, I learned more that I expected, and definitely feel accomplished. I also learned about myself through the whole process. I didn’t know I had it in me to write a research paper, and since long, detailed essays are a huge part of a college education, I’m more confident I’ll be able to handle such a task in the future.”

“Going over the draft (with you, Dr “Going over the draft (with you, Dr. Arliss) reassured me that I was going in the right direction, pointed out what was still missing from the synthesis, and gave me confidence in finishing the paper. I was also able to see how my grade will come together for the final synthesis from the handout (grading rubric) we received in class, so I knew exactly what to include to get the grade I was hoping for.”

“I can honestly say, with the help of this course, I learned lessons that will help me throughout my college years and in my life. There is so much more that I learned than these few pages, and I’m grateful to say I’m walking away with a sense of accomplishment as a student, and a person.”