Creating Research Assignments for Your Class By Carol Womack Professional Development Day, Spring 2005

Effective Assignments Mean: Less frustration for students Better research Critical thinking skills Lifelong learning skills

Effective Assignment--Definition Has a specific, understood purpose Relates to course Increased understanding of subject Variety of sources Timeline

Better assignments Learning outcomes Assessment tools Share your assignment with us Use available sources

Use the Library Put books on RESERVE Check Library’s holdings s.com/ Find articles in databases and link to them

Use the Library Share assignment Share syllabus Carol Womack x4635

The Topic Direction Limits Objectives Selecting a topic is difficult du/research/topics/ Narrow/expand topic

Design the research Find a book Find an article Find a GOOD website Evaluate sources Identify sources to be used Assume minimal library knowledge Library has materials Schedule library orientation/share assignment w/librarian Talk to a librarian tml

Help for students Encourage them to visit Reference Desk Put materials on Reserve Sample research papers Sample bibliographies

Pitfalls Same assignment Inaccurate source names Trivial pursuit Inefficient Use of Internet Plagiarism

Alternatives to the term paper Annotated bibliography of ranked items Compare two articles Review articles/key issues Article review Evaluate website

Better assignments Learning outcomes Assessment tools vised.htm Share your assignment with us

Creating Assignments Creating Effective Library Assignments nts.htm nts.htm Promoting Information Literacy through Class Assignments Guidelines for Creating Effective Library Assignments. Guidelines for Designing and Implementing Effective Library Research Assignments Common Pitfalls to Library Research Tips for Effective Library Assignments Effective Library Assignments html html Library Assignments: Some Tips and Reminders Term Paper Alternatives:

Learning Outcomes Writing Learning Outcomes How to Write Learning Outcomes giscc/units/format/outcomes.html giscc/units/format/outcomes.html

Assessment Tools shtml nstrument.htm Improving Assignments:

Questions? Suggestions? Thank you for coming!