library visit assignment

Teaching information skills effectively

Interacting with multiple perspectives
Authority is contextual
Research is an evolving inquiry

This video is intended for use First Year Seminar (FYS) courses

Before you start the video below:, recorded library "visit".

Workshop for FYS instructors
"Hidden Depths" workshop

This video has been created primarily for use in First Year Seminar (FYS) courses.

If you are an instructor of an FYS course, please reach out to John Oliver to talk about library instruction options and resources.

Two very important points to note before you press play on the video playlist immediately below:

Students should have their assignment prompt handy
At the end of the session, please complete a two-question evaluation of these videos

1. Students should have assignment prompt handy

Before pressing play on the video lesson below, please be sure to open a relevant assignment prompt/description. If necessary go through the clicks in Canvas to get to the assignment description that is most appropriate to work on during this session. (Preferably one requiring some need for library research). Please take a few moments to carefully read the assignment description. If the instructor is present when students view this video lesson, please take a moment to ask your instructor any questions about anything that’s being asked of you. (Even if you’ve already discussed this in previous class meetings, reading or re-reading the prompt can set the stage for a well-focused research session).

2. End-of-session evaluation/assessment

Please complete a 2-question evaluation of this library session. This will help us improve the videos. The final minute of the final video shows the URL (so just let the video show the URL). [Instructors: If you cut the video lesson short and decide not to assign/use the entire video playlist, please do include this feedback step. Point students to tinyurl.com/TCNJwrite]

This playlist is also available using this link .

And the playlist's individual videos can be accessed with these links:

Getting more out of the library
Your topic gives you focus
Database taste test #1
Staying on track, collecting your work
Database taste test #2
Choosing the right tool for the job
What's next? And a favor to ask
<< Previous: Research is an evolving inquiry
Next: Workshop for FYS instructors >>
Last Updated: May 11, 2024 3:50 PM
URL: https://libguides.tcnj.edu/teachinginfoskills

How to Design a Library Research Assignment

Critical Thinking

Information Literacy Sample Assignments

Guidelines for an Effective Assignment

Get library help

Make an Appointment
Call 217 581-6072
Hours Calendar

Librarians from the Research Engagement and Scholarship (RES) department are here to help.

Contact an RES Librarian: David Bell Steve Brantley Kirstin Duffin Michele McDaniel Amy Odwarka

These assignments draw upon elements of critical thinking. They are easily adapted to many subjects. 1. Outline a Research Paper. Students plan and perform research, without actually writing a paper. Tasks include developing a research question, providing an annotated bibliography of sources, and writing an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. May be used as a stand-alone assignment, or as preparation for a research project. 2. Compare Search Results Between a Free Search Engine and a Library Database. Helps students appreciate the differences between the information found on the "free" Web available through search engines such as Google, and information found in subscription periodical databases such as EBSCO’s Academic Search Ultimate . 3. Critique Wikipedia. Requires students to provide in-depth criticism and analysis of a Wikipedia article. Students examine the bibliography of the Wikipedia entry to see how well it supports the entry itself, and then perform their own research to see if other sources either corroborate or dispute the claims made in the Wikipedia entry. This assignment addresses students’ research and critical analysis skills. 4. Examine Bias. Raises awareness of media bias and employs database research skills. Students locate and cite one article from a conservative publication, and another on the same topic from a liberal publication. Students then compare, contrast and evaluate the two articles. 5. Evaluate Scholarly Research. Students find two journal articles on the same topic, and, in a short paper, compare, contrast and evaluate the two articles according to the quality of their research. This assignment helps sharpen students' skills of critical evaluation, and helps them appreciate the importance of good research. 6. Write a Letter to the Editor. Teaches writing, critical thinking, and research skills. Without doing any research, students write a letter in which they take a position on a contemporary issue. Students then share letters with their classmates, with whom they give and receive feedback on ways that the letter could be substantiated and improved. Students then develop a short research paper from the letter. Adapted and used with permission from St. John’s University Libraries.

<< Previous: Critical Thinking
Next: Guidelines for an Effective Assignment >>
Last Updated: Sep 18, 2023 8:58 AM
URL: https://eiu.libguides.com/critassgn

Library Covid-19 Updates

LEAP 1100 (Sections 1-3, 8,9, 12, & 13) Drs. Hussein, Wood and Larsen: Library Visit 1

Library visit 1.

Library Visit 2
Style/Citation Manuals
Gene Editing
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Physician Assisted Suicide
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Animal Experimentation
Vaccination for HPV
Young Children & Bone Marrow
What it Means to be Brain Dead/Brain-death
Abortion & Down Syndrome
Medical Voluntourism
Opioid / Medication Abuse
AI (Artificial Intelligence) & Modern Medicine
Should Parents Decide Medical Care for Children
Organ Donation & Priorities
Measles & Vaccinations
Pharmacists & Refusing to Dispense
Sex Offenders & Chemical Castration
Tax on Sweetened Beverages & Unhealthy Snacks
Health care for Undocumented Immigrants
Library Visit 3

See Canvas for Assignment

Marriott Library Orientation (Fall 2023)
What's New at the Library (Spring 2023)
What's New at the Library Spring 2022
What's New at the Library Spring 2020 Older version. Presented in early January before the pandemic

Library Books

Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Bioethical Issues by Gregory Kaebnick Call Number: Level 1 and Level 3 (Course Reserves) R724 .T34 2018 ISBN: 9781259873409 Publication Date: 2018

5 Favorite Reference/Research Tools

Oxford English Dictionary Call Number: PE1625 .O87 1989 (2nd edition; oversize) Updated online version. 2nd edition in print on Level 2 of the Marriott Library in Oversize.