Workshop presented to faculty by Jill Newby and Nicole Pagowsky at the University of Arizona through the Office of Instruction and Assessment. Effective research assignment design for student success. Download full PPT for presenter notes with more detail on what was covered.
Here is a link to the updated version of this presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/khornberger/social-media-research-with-focus-on-twitter-and-misinformation
This slideshow offers teachers items for students to consider before they begin using social media for research.
Answering How and Why Questions of Library Impact on Undergraduate Student Le...Derek Rodriguez
These slides accompany a paper presented at ACRL 2013. In this paper I propose three criteria for selecting library impact research methods including creating credible connections between library use and student learning outcomes, getting behind the numbers to answer how and why questions of library impact, and working at scale. Examples illustrating these criteria are drawn from recent projects using the Understanding Library Impacts protocol.
Here is a link to the updated version of this presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/khornberger/social-media-research-with-focus-on-twitter-and-misinformation
This slideshow offers teachers items for students to consider before they begin using social media for research.
Answering How and Why Questions of Library Impact on Undergraduate Student Le...Derek Rodriguez
These slides accompany a paper presented at ACRL 2013. In this paper I propose three criteria for selecting library impact research methods including creating credible connections between library use and student learning outcomes, getting behind the numbers to answer how and why questions of library impact, and working at scale. Examples illustrating these criteria are drawn from recent projects using the Understanding Library Impacts protocol.
On May 10-11th, Katherine attended the first annual EBSCO User Group meet in the US city of Boston. Katherine was there on the invitation of the EBSCO User Group committee, made up of university librarians and EBSCO staff. This two day conference was inspired by the UK and Nordic user groups and this first meet-up was a great opportunity for Librarians from all over the US to come together and talk about how they are using EDS. Katherine an update on the major topics and trends which came up in the conference, and give some insight into the role of the EBSCO User Group in the US and the differences between the US and UK usage of EDS, and this lead into a wider discussion about changing role of Librarians in the UK and US.
The Librarian Knows More than Google--and Your MomBrian Collier
What information skills are 90% of high school graduates missing (based on Harvard research publications, MacArthur Foundation reports, and university faculty anecdotes)? What can we do to make sure our graduates are the college freshmen who know what they're doing and not the ones calling home to ask their Moms? Librarians and classroom teachers are both welcome to this discussion.
Workshop on avoiding plagiarism for student athletesNicole Pagowsky
Spring semester 2013 Collaborative workshop from the University of Arizona Libraries and CATS Academics to introduce student athletes to using citations to enhance "research as conversation" and to avoid plagiarism
On May 10-11th, Katherine attended the first annual EBSCO User Group meet in the US city of Boston. Katherine was there on the invitation of the EBSCO User Group committee, made up of university librarians and EBSCO staff. This two day conference was inspired by the UK and Nordic user groups and this first meet-up was a great opportunity for Librarians from all over the US to come together and talk about how they are using EDS. Katherine an update on the major topics and trends which came up in the conference, and give some insight into the role of the EBSCO User Group in the US and the differences between the US and UK usage of EDS, and this lead into a wider discussion about changing role of Librarians in the UK and US.
The Librarian Knows More than Google--and Your MomBrian Collier
What information skills are 90% of high school graduates missing (based on Harvard research publications, MacArthur Foundation reports, and university faculty anecdotes)? What can we do to make sure our graduates are the college freshmen who know what they're doing and not the ones calling home to ask their Moms? Librarians and classroom teachers are both welcome to this discussion.
Workshop on avoiding plagiarism for student athletesNicole Pagowsky
Spring semester 2013 Collaborative workshop from the University of Arizona Libraries and CATS Academics to introduce student athletes to using citations to enhance "research as conversation" and to avoid plagiarism
Transforming our image through a compass of critical librarianship - opening keynote for the annual Wisconsin Association of Academic Libraries Conference (2015), Nicole Pagowsky
This is my slide deck from my session at the North Carolina Reading Conference last week in Raleigh, NC. I do staff development to schools and districts all over the country about best practices in literacy instruction. This topic is one of my most requested.
Presenter(s): Diane Fulkerson.
With the recent adoption of the ACRL Framework academic librarians have the opportunity to reinvent and redesign their library instruction session. This presentation provides an overview of how to use the Framework to design one-shot library instruction sessions.
Incorporating information literacy outcomes into your courseKendra Lake
Presented by Jane Lewandoski and Kendra Lake at the St. Clair County Community College Fall 2019 adjunct faculty welcome back event on August 13, 2019.
The Critical Role of Librarians In OER AdoptionUna Daly
Please join CCCOER on Tuesday, February 26, 10:00 am (Pacific time) to hear about the critical work that librarians do to support OER adoption at community colleges. This webinar will feature three projects where librarians are leading the way in searching, curating, and creating OER to expand student access and improve teaching practices.
card catalog cc-by-nc-sa reeding lessons
Paradise Valley Community College, AZ –Sheila Afnan-Manns and Kande Mickelson, faculty librarians will share how they worked with students in International Business to find and create OER to support course learning outcomes.
Houston Community College District, TX – Angela Secrest, director of library services, will share her libguides that support faculty in the process of finding and adopting high quality OER.
Open Course Library(OCL), WA – Shireen Deboo, OCL and Seattle Community Colleges district librarian will share her work with faculty to find, create, and curate open content for inclusion in the Washington State Community and Technical College’s Open Course Library.
Putting students in the SADL: keynote paper at HEA Changing the Learning Land...Maria Bell
Keynote by Jane Secker and Maria Bell, presenting the findings of the LSE Student Ambassadors for Digital Literacy (SADL) project at HEA Changing the Learning Landscape Digital Literacy workshop at LSE, 7 May 2014
Similar to Designing Effective Research Assignments (20)
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
Francesca Gottschalk - How can education support child empowerment.pptxEduSkills OECD
Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
2. Understand students’ problems with research
Know how to incorporate information literacy
into a course through a research assignment
Differentiate between successful and problematic
research assignment design
Locate resources for further assistance and
for contacting a librarian
8. Individual work: Fill out the top portion of the handout
Use a research assignment from a class you have taught, or one you
would like to implement in your class
Think about issues students have with research and how that relates
to your assignment and course content
9. Assignment Topic
Social media in the Presidential campaign
Learning Outcomes
Students will be aware of how social media was used in past presidential campaigns.
Assessment Methods
One page paper with bibliography
Assignment Details
Requirements
Must use library resources to locate at least 2 newspaper or magazine articles
One page paper
Citations in APA format
Due in 1 week
What Must Students Be Able to Do to Library Resource
Complete the Assignment?
Identify Search Words and create search Tutorial: How to Search Effectively
statements
Locate 2 newspaper or magazine articles Newspapers and magazines
Lexis/Nexis, Newsbank, New York Times
Evaluate sources for relevance to assignment Tutorial: Selecting the Best Resources for your
Topic
Synthesize information and paraphrase Tutorial: Accidental Plagiarism – Don't Let it
correctly into a one page paper Happen to You
Cite the source correctly in APA style UA Library Citation Guide
10. Scaffolding Transparency Context
Process Embed
Critical
over Academic
Thinking
Perfection Integrity
17. Group work:
In groups of 2-3, evaluate a sample
assignment using the checklist handout
18. What makes a good assignment?
What could have been improved?
What was done well?
How would you revise this assignment?
Based on what you’ve learned, how will you
revise your assignment?
22. ERIAL Project (2012). From http://www.erialproject.org/
Kelly, M. C., & Kross, A. (2002). Making the grade: Academic libraries and student success.
Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries.
Maricopa Community College District Libraries (n.d.). Research assignment handouts: Essential
elements to promote student success workshop. From
http://libguides.maricopa.edu/research_assignment_handouts_workshop
Project Information Literacy (2012). From http://projectinfolit.org/
Purdy, J. P. (September 01, 2012). Why first-year college students select online research resources
as their favorite. First Monday, 17, 9. From
http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/4088/3289
University of Minnesota Libraries. (n.d.). Improving student research: A faculty/instructor guide.
From http://www.lib.umn.edu/research/instruction/guides/FacultyGuide.pdf
Weimer, M. (Ed.) (n.d.). Keys to designing effective writing and research assignments. In Faculty
Focus: Special Report. From http://uogcde.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/report-keys-to-
designing-effective-writing.pdf
Jill Newby, newbyj@u.library.arizona.edu
Nicole Pagowsky, pagowskyn@u.library.arizona.edu
Editor's Notes
Students often don’t understand how search tools work even though they seem well-versed in Google, will search Google, not looking past the first page of results and use whatever looks mostly acceptable. If the search process starts to feel too complicated or the sources are too much to read, often times, they will then change their focus to make the research portion easier. This is problematic, and oftentimes faulty assignment design can contribute to these bad behaviors and not teach students about information literacy and critical thinking in their research.
From ERIAL (Ethnographic Research in Illinois Academic Libraries)2-yr, 5 campus ethnographic studyStudents’ study habits are worse than librarians (and faculty) thought“Both professors and librarians are liable to project an idealistic view of the research process onto students who often are not willing or able to fulfill it.”Students love Google, but have poor skills when using it“Satisficing” … fastest/easiest route to results, even will change topic to make it easier to find simple articlesStudents reluctant to ask librarians for help, feel more comfortable w/ professors because of relationships built, so assignments must be strong for success, and because “relationships with professors… determine students’ relationships with libraries,” working with librarians to design the assignment or to pull together resources can greatly develop students’ abilities to use the library
http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_fall2012_workplaceStudy_FullReport.pdfFrom PIL, one study (“How college graduates solve information problems once they join the workplace” 2012) examining employers perceptions of recent grads/new employees in the workplace – students are not equipped to :Assignments too structured, students not able to comprehend and complete, too complexWe aren’t doing our students any favors by giving them highly structured research assignments.Although I think we’d all agree that students in lower level courses need the kind of practice that structured research-based assignments provide, at the upper-level students do need to practice some higher-order thinking skills. Telling senior students to include a set number of certain kinds of sources in a specific length of a research paper doesn’t prepare them for the the kind of open-ended, problem-based research they will be doing in their future jobs. Recent grads routinely mentioned that on the job, research tasks were assigned with little structure or direction but with a much tighter deadline.Difficulty synthesizing information, trying to find info/answer as quickly and easily as possibleReluctance to being social in research work
“Information commonly increases uncertainty in the early stages of the search process. Increased uncertainty indicates a zone of intervention for intermediaries and system designers.”Giving students a ‘dirt-view’ of research so they see they aren’t failing when they run into obstacles can help. Explaining how research works in various fields and how a faculty member conducts research would be helpful. “When, for whatever reason, selection is delayed or postponed, feelings of anxiety are likely to intensify until the choice is made.”Be clear in topic parameters, give examples, etc.“ Information searching is traditionally portrayed as a systematic, orderly, and rational procedure rather than the uncertain, confusing process that users commonly experience. After the search is completed, the topic understood, and the problem solved, a person may look back and deny the chaos and confusion that was actually experienced in the process. A gap exists between users’ expectations in information use and search design.”
You may have heard the phrase ‘Information Literacy” these are standards established by the Association of College and Research Libraries in 2000 and were also endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education. The ACRL IL standards describe outcomes for students and learners at any age who can be considered information literate or fluent in information finding and use. Broadly the Information Literacy standards can be summarized using the following categories:When someone is cognizant of a need for information and is able to appropriately locate or access that information using appropriate search words, knows where to look for that specific information. Is able to evaluate the authenticity, accuracy, currency and objectivity of the information and is then able to analyze and synthesize that information in a coherent fashion, whether it be a research paper, data, images, etc. All of this takes place with an understanding of the ethical and legal use of information.
Complete the Designing an Effective Research Assignment down to Final Version - You will have 10 minutes to do this work. After 10 min: Was this easy for you to do? Where did you get stuck? See following slide for examples.
Useful to walk through the assignment yourself to see what students must be able to do. Show example. We hope this has been a useful introduction to thinking about your research assignment and what students need to be able to do from an information literacy perspective.Other things to think about when assigning a library research project/ or paper that we have experienced in the Library:The shot in the dark – where students working from incomplete or incorrect resource lists; assigned materials are not owned by the Libraries; vague topics are assigned or approved.Students will get frustrated and again assume incorrectly the Libraries do not have the information they need.The needle in the haystackStudents are sent to the Libraries to find obscure facts.A library scavenger hunt or treasure hunt, unless focused on the research process and the use of the information found, is usually an exercise in futility- and students will realize this quickly.(From Making the Grade…)
What we would like to do now is spend some time talking about best practices for designing research assignments.
Scaffolding: chunking assignments to cover different steps of the research process and the assignment, and explaining how these processes workThis helps alleviate one of the common problems that can be seen in Libraries – where a large class is looking for one piece of information, researching one topic or using a limited list of books or media.When this happens:Resources will disappear quickly- either they will be taken off the shelf or checked out. Both scenarios prevent other students from completing the assignment and they will form the incorrect impression that they will never be able to find information in the Libraries.Better to provide 2 or more smaller assignments that add up to the final research paper.Part 1:Assign database tutorial, such as how to search ASC and Avoiding Plagiarism Tutorial. Ask students to search a specific Library database and create an annotated bibliography of 5 citations on a topic covered in the course. Part 2:Ask students to use the citations in a short research paper that summarizes their research and ask students to peer review each other’s work.
Transparency: clarity, but also, thinking through what it is you want students to do:We know where students are most likely to go to Google first when researching their topic. How can we show them that to locate credible and research-based sources that the Library should be the first place to look for information instead of the last place if at all?Since we’re talking about transparency, instead of saying “go to the library” – refer them to a specific Library subject guides {link to Subject Guides and Library Tools Tab} so they have a landmark or place to startDo you want your students to become acquainted with key resources in your subject area? Do you want them to do the groundwork for a term project or research paper? What do you want your students to do with the information once they have found it? (from Virginia Tech)Resource lists give students somewhere to start by suggesting specific sources (or types of resources) for a particular assignment. Make sure you provide accurate information! (from Virginia Tech)
Context: framing research as conversation, and explaining how the research process works, tying it into the Kuhlthau model where there is doubt and uncertainty in the beginning but that confidence builds as you move towards locating the information you need – but it is also an iterative process.Focus the assignment on the process of finding information which explains a phenomena, clarifies a viewpoint, or defines an issue. (from Virginia Tech)
“These findings should give instructors pause. Students indeed are listening to mandates about using scholarly sources. They are listening so much that sometimes just finding scholarly sources is seemingly sufficient. Even if referencing them does not make good sense for a given research or research-writing task, they do so anyway” (Purdy) Relevance: scholarly not always bestContext: source’s value in rhetorical contexts differsShould be able to evaluate scholarly and credibility of sources on their own w/o relying so heavily on instructors and librariansTeach how scholarly work influences their lives (show use of discipline-specific research and final products)Critical Thinking: evaluating sources, helping students learn how to evaluate the accuracy and objectivity of an information source, which means knowing the differences between schol/pop, primary/secondary, etc. and beyond (and tie it back to ERIAL that most students have no idea there are even these differences to consider)This could translate into requiring annotations (critical interpretations) to bibliographies, comparing different accounts of the same event, judging criticism or opinions against one's own views, etc.
Process over perfection: the process of research and students being reflective can serve them better than trying to churn out a “perfect” research paper with proper citations, etc.Alternatives to get process…Annotated bibliographiesComprehensive book reviewsReal life, practical, situational assignmentsComparisons between a popular magazine article and a scholarly journal article on the same topicResearch guides that introduce new majors to the information resources and research strategies in their subject field.Comparisons of different accounts of the same event(Making the grade….)
Using alternative models to papers helps cut down on plagiarism (ideas from previous slide)But main problem = students don’t seem to really understand what plagiarism isInclude in assignment handout and/or discuss in class the difference between paraphrasing and quoting (UA Libraries has a very popular tutorial on this: Accidental plagiarism, don’t let it happen to you)Just like with transparency, be clear about what citation style to use and that it’s required, provide examplesStudents struggle with synthesizing information and writing their own thoughts, so incorporating those skills into assignments rather than summarizing or finding supporting evidence for others’ ideas can help them veer away from intentionally or unintentionally copyingShow them how easy it is to detect plagiarism through Google search and TurnItIn
Take 10-15 min. to work on this exercise and then we’ll come back for a final discussion about this sample assignment.
JillIf there is time – work on making notes on the first handout. (2-3 min)
10 week online course. Course begins Jan 20 – April 7.