Characteristics of Effective Library Assignments - Tips for Faculty

Clarity | Use of Terminology | Currency | Appropriate Time Frame | Topic | Expectations | Appropriate Resources | Requiring Resources Not Available | Giving the Same Assignment/Topic to an Entire Class | Scavenger Hunts

Clarity

If students have difficulty understanding what they are supposed to do, they will have trouble doing it. Give library assignments in writing to reduce confusion and be specific in your directions. For example, if you want them to use scholarly articles be sure to define what you mean by "scholarly articles."

Use of Terminology

Students have been known to interpret library assignments literally and may be confused by unfamiliar terms. The librarian or library staff assisting students may not always have enough information to interpret the intent of the instructor who assigned the project. Define any questionable words and/or provide examples. For example, does "library computer" mean the library catalog, an online database, or perhaps online full-text journals?

Currency

As most academic libraries, UAF Libraries are experiencing rapid change which in turn may affect your assignments. Print resources can change physical location or may be updated or even discarded. Electronic resources may switch vendors and take on a different interface, or they may expand or delete their holdings without any notification. Check your assignments regularly so that you're not asking your students to use something incorrectly or direct them to something that's no longer available.

Appropriate Time Frame

Complete the assignment yourself to see how long it takes before you decide how long students need to do it. Remember to allow for their inexperience and for movement of materials or other unanticipated changes.

Topic

Choosing a topic is often difficult for students. Consider offering your students topic choices or helpful suggestions. For example, if you wish your students to find a topic of current interest you might suggest that they go to CQ Researcher. It provides weekly comprehensive reports exploring current and controversial issues with summaries, a history and overview of the topic, future outlook, opposing viewpoints and bibliographies.

Expectations

Don't assume that your students have had prior experience using libraries or performing library research. The majority of students have never been presented with the number of information choices they find in a university library.

Appropriate Resources & Using the Internet

Students often come to the reference desk and tell us their instructor said they can't use the Internet. Many of our important resources are available via the Internet. There's a big difference between subscription databases and free Internet sites. Make sure you explain these differences to your students. If you need assistance, let us know.

Requiring Resources Not Available

Don't assume that UAF libraries do or do not own materials -- find out by checking the catalog and/or speaking to a librarian. Resources change from semester to semester so it's always a good idea to review an assignment before assigning it to your class. Consider completing the assignment yourself to see how it works.

Giving the Same Assignment/Topic to an Entire Class

If all the students in a class are working on the same assignment the needed materials could be difficult to find, they may disappear or they could be checked out. If it's necessary for a whole class to use a particular source or sources you might wish to place them on reserve.

Scavenger Hunts

The least effective assignment asks students to locate random facts. It lacks a clear purpose, teaches little and is frustrating for students and librarians.