Library Instruction for English

Online Skills Modules | Class Research Consultation | Advanced English Courses

Introduction

English Composition classes offer a great opportunity to provide foundational information literacy (research) skills to students that can be built upon in other courses. Not only are almost all undergraduates required to take English Composition coursework, but it also provides the first research point of need for students. Before your composition students reach you, many of them have only been introduced to the library through their orientation course, which rarely requires students to find and work with library resources. In response to this need, the library welcomes the opportunity to work with you and your students.

To address the challenge of offering information literacy instruction to such a large number of English Composition sections, the library recommends a tiered approach to information literacy instruction, as outlined below.

  • Tier 1- Online Skills Modules
  • Tier 2- Class Research Consultation

 

Tier 1- ENG 11001/2 and ENG 11011- Library Skills Modules

Online library skills modules provide an option for students to learn basic research and library skills in an online environment allowing them to work independently and at their own pace.  The modules are flash-based and are available at: www.library.kent.edu/tutorials

The modules include:

  • Module 1: Developing a Search Strategy: Tips and Tricks
  • Module 2: KentLINK Part 1 -- Searching for Books by Topic
  • Module 3: KentLINK Part 2 -- Finding Books on the Shelf
  • Module 4: Research Databases Part 1 -- Searching for Articles by Topic
  • Module 5: Research Databases Part 2 -- Locating Full Text Journal Articles
  • Module 6: Evaluating Information on the Web
  • Module 7: Avoiding Plagiarism

For more information on how the modules work and procedures for using them with your students see Instructor Notes for Library Skills Modules.

 

Tier 2: ENG 21011- Class Research Consultation at the Library

www.library.kent.edu/instructionrequest

The Class Research Consultation offers an opportunity for Tier II students to get a more in-depth, hands-on experience with a variety of research tools and techniques. Using a web form available at www.library.kent.edu/instructionrequest an English 21011 instructor may request a session with a librarian in the library for their students during their class period. A menu of options is available and a variety of approaches possible.  Instructors can select the approach desired from the menu provided.

Once you have made a request, an instruction librarian will contact you to collaborate on the development of a session tailored to your students’ needs. Some tips for success include:

  • Plan the research consultation at the point of need, at a time in the semester when students have selected a preliminary topic for their papers. In this way they can begin researching their own topics during the session.
  • Poll your students ahead of time to find out if they have had library instruction (online modules, seminars, visits with other courses) in the past to gauge their current level of comfort/skill. This information will be helpful when filling out your web form request and when collaborating with the librarian.
  • Be prepared to share your research assignment(s) with the librarian. This is crucial to ensuring that we understand the full extent of the students’ information needs.

 

Advanced English Instruction

Individualized Course Instruction

Specialized library instruction for courses at the 20000 level and higher is available. The goal of this service is to tailor research guidance to the topics specifically covered in courses. Please contact Tammy Voelker, subject librarian for English to schedule class instruction.

PErsonalized Research Consultations (PERCs)

Students needing individualized assistance with a research paper may make a PERC appointment with a librarian by registeering online at http://www.library.kent.edu/percs

Students in upper level or graduate courses also have the option to set up a research consultation by appointment with Tammy Voelker, the subject librarian for English.

For questions or assistance contact:

Tammy Voelker
Subject Librarian for the Humanities
330-672-3091
tvoelker@kent.edu

Ken Burhanna
Head of Instructional Services
330-672-1660
kburhann@kent.edu

For more about the library's instruction program go to
the Instruction section of the Faculty web page.