This information
has been provided for librarians, instructors, faculty and other educators
interested in learning more about WSC Searchpath. If you have contributions
or suggestions about using WSC Searchpath, please e-mail
us.
What
Is Searchpath?
Searchpath is a
resource for WSC students, a self-instructional tutorial to teach them
basic library and research skills. It covers the research process from
initial topic selection to citation styles and the issue of plagiarism.
There is a link to Searchpath on the Libraries' home
page or it can be accessed directly from http://lib.westfield.ma.edu/searchpath.
Its content is organized
into six modules:
| 1.
Starting smart |
is
an overview that introduces students to various types of sources. |
| 2.
Choosing a topic |
provides
tips on broadening and narrowing a topic and discusses search concepts. |
3.
Using the
Catalog |
has
live practice searches in our online catalog. |
| 4.
Finding articles |
provides
practice searching in the Periodical Abstracts database. |
| 5.
Using the Web |
includes
the comparative evaluation of Web sources. |
| 6.
Citing sources |
includes
the topics of citing, plagiarism, and copyright. |
Students can complete
the tutorial on their own time outside of class. Each of its six sections
takes about 15 minutes and students can complete one or more modules at
a time. Each of the modules is followed by a short quiz (see details below).
Who
Is It Designed For?
Searchpath is designed
for students in classes with a substantial writing component or introductory-level
research, especially for English 101. However, we hope instructors of other
classes will find it useful and assign it to their students.
How
Can Instructors Effectively Use Searchpath with Their Courses?
Please have students
complete Searchpath before they begin their research or attend a
library session. Students can complete Searchpath on their own time and
submit their quiz results to you.
Each module is followed
by a short quiz and a results page, which provides an overall percentage
score for that module, as well as a summary of questions answered right
or wrong. Students can either print the six results pages with their name
and submit the printouts to you as proof of completion or they can email
their quiz results to you.
Many instructors
have chosen to give extra credit points to students who complete Searchpath.
We
strongly suggest that students be required to pass the quizzes with
a score of at least 85% or better. Students may retake a quiz as many
times as they want to improve their score.
Does
Searchpath Replace Library Instruction?
No! We continue
to offer course-related library instruction and hope that you will incorporate
a library session into your syllabus. Timing is important! Have your students
complete Searchpath, then schedule library instruction with us for a date
after
they've received an assignment. Then they will learn about searching databases
when they need these skills to complete their research assignment. Research
has shown that:
-
Students learn best
and retain most when they need the information.
-
Library instruction
is more effective when the course instructor is present.
-
Library instruction
is more effective when coordinated with a class assignment.
Ely Library has one
electronic classroom, which librarians use for database demonstrations
and hands-on training. These are heavily booked, so please schedule
early to reserve the date and time you need--preferably call us at least
2 weeks ahead. Requests will be filled on a first-come basis.
To arrange a library
instruction session contact:
Oliver Zeff,
phone: 572-5640, e-mail ozeff@westfield.ma.edu
.
|
