Presented at the 2014 Kentucky Pedagogicon Conference, held at Eastern Kentucky University, this librarian-led discussion explored designing assignments and syllabi that effectively utilize the resources and services of a 21st century academic library. After reviewing real-world examples, the audience was asked to identify misguided research instructions that may lead 21st century students down a 20th century path. When faculty design syllabi, they often design research assignments based on the experiences they had in libraries as graduate students. They may still view the academic library as a warehouse for the storage and preservation of bound journals, microfilm, and books. However, library resources and services have changed dramatically, just in the past 5 years. Transformative changes in library collection development have included: the emergence of quality open access resources; the dominance of the eJournal over the print journal; the availability of scholarly eBooks; and the rise in digitally born content (eJournals, newspapers, primary sources, etc.). What was once considered a “bad” or untrustworthy format simply because it was found on the open web is now potentially valuable and should not be automatically discounted. Academic libraries today provide vibrant spaces for collaboration, access to print and virtual collections, and librarians with expertise in delivering instruction that engages students in effectively evaluating all types of information sources. Effective assignment design and syllabi creation will help students be more effective in their research and better users of information. The products they create will be higher in quality and potentially more interesting to the reader. .

1. Research myth-busting
Discover the truth about today’s library services and
resources to design better research assignments
KY Pedagogicon
May 16, 2014
Julie S. George - EKU Libraries
Kelly Smith - EKU Libraries
Steve Stone - BCTC Library

2. Summarize an assignment you
have given your students where
you required them to research and
find sources.

3. Myth
Only print resources are acceptable

4. Reality
Academic Libraries pay for scholarly online
resources that are the equivalent or better than
the print version
Online eBook: http://ekulib.kyvl.org/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=1200810
NYT: http://screencast.com/t/UEM23E0BI http://search.proquest.com/docview/109752444?accountid=10628
eJournal: http://libproxy.eku.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=50315661&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Primary Source: http://library.eku.edu/resources/type/20

5. Myth
I need to tell students exactly which resources
to use to get them to use quality ones

6. Reality
Allowing students to explore the library’s
resources and choosing the best resource to
apply to their topic builds critical thinking
skills they need

7. Myth
Students had a library instruction session
when they were freshman in a composition
class so they don’t need one for this 300 level
class.

8. Reality
Research has shown that instruction is most
effective in higher level classes. Librarians
design instruction around individual class
assignments.

9. Myth
A resource is not currently subscribed to by
my library, therefore my students cannot get
access to it.

10. Reality
It depends. Today’s publishing and
distribution has enabled the library to quickly
obtain needed materials, as funds allow. This
has led to the rise of “demand-driven
acquisitions” and “data-driven” collections
renewal decisions.
See http://scholarship.claremont.edu/library_staff/9/

11. Myth
Doing research the way I did research in
graduate school is the only way to do
research. No Pain, No Gain

12. Really? Was this ever that good?
http://www.ssa.gov/history/ssa/usa1964-
3.html

13. Reality
It depends. The quality of sources is still very
important, but the access to those sources has
changed in many cases. The strategies to find
those important documents and resources
has changed and will keep changing.
TEDtalks, videos from a MOOC at Cal Tech . .
. these could be acceptable

14. Myth
Social Media is only an avenue for finding the
location of the best party on campus

15. http://www.hortongroup.com/blog/social-media-seminars-what-you-can-
expect

16. Reality
Social Media outlets are great ways for
students to collaborate with experts from
around the world in many different ways.

17. Myth
Scavenger hunts are great ways for students to
learn how to use the library

18. Fun or frustrating?
http://dandelionexpress.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/a-treasure-hunt-for-nerds/

19. Reality
No. Scavenger hunts feed into all the worst
stereotypes for students, and they get the
sense that the library is arbitrary, difficult to
use, and disconnected from what they are
interested in.
Librarians are often frustrated because they
are unable to really help students with these
projects.

20. Myth
Students today are extremely tech savvy and
know everything about using technology.

21. Reality
They may know how to program your iPhone
or talk about themselves on social media.
But, they don’t always know how to use the
technology to find and use appropriate
evidence to make an argument and they often
have difficulty communicating their ideas
using technology (PowerPoint, Prezi…)

22. Myth
As long as it is for educational use, I don’t
have to worry about copyright and can post
whatever I want to Blackboard.

23. Reality
Not exactly. Copyright law does include some
educational exemptions, especially for face to
face classes, but in general, a work in copyright
CANNOT be reproduced without permission
from the copyright holder. When in doubt,
LINK.
Resources...
Title 17 of the US Code, Chapter 1, Section 110 - http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.pdf
Know your Copy Rights-What You Can Do - http://www.knowyourcopyrights.org/bm~doc/kycrbrochure.pdf - a brochure from the
Association of Research Libraries

24. Go back and review your research
assignments. Are your placing
restrictions that are prohibitive? Are
you frustrating your students? Are you
working with a librarian to create
effective assignments? We are here to
help!

25. Thanks! Questions?
Julie Silver George
julie.george@eku.edu
Kelly Smith
kelly.smith2@eku.edu
Steve Stone
steve.stone@kctcs.edu