The Library offers instruction in research skills and the effective use of Library resources. As the service is quite popular, please call early in the academic term to make arrangements. Librarians welcome the opportunity to work with faculty to ensure instruction sessions are relevant to course assignments. Librarians are also available to work with faculty to determine that there are adequate resources to support successful completion of course assignments. Our instruction services are outlined in the following tabs.
Course-Specific Instruction: Professors can arrange course-related library instruction for their students. In consultation with the instructor, librarians will tailor sessions to meet individual class requirements and assignments. We will work with you to develop hands-on activities for the classroom or, where computer labs are available, for lab sessions. Instruction in advanced research skills and specialized resources can also be arranged for upper-year and graduate classes. We can provide information literacy training to your TAs. We are flexible, and can visit your classes more than once, for shorter or longer times, as requested. We are also available for evening and weekend classes.
If you would like to book an instruction session or would like more information about our program, please contact Heather Sanderson at 902-420-5541.
For more information about the kinds of topics that can be covered in an instruction session, please visit our website and view our instruction menu.
ResearchBase: An online library assignment in Brightspace, ResearchBase teaches students the basics of researching in an academic library. ResearchBase is comprised of a series of learning modules and online quizzes designed to teach students the skills they need to find materials for their research assignments and essays. Students will learn how to define a topic, plan a search strategy, search for books and journals using the library catalogue, and locate articles using a journal database. If you would like information about ResearchBase, or would like to assign it in your course, please contact Cindy Harrigan at 902-496-8789.
Academic Integrity Foundations (AIF)
Academic Integrity Foundations (AIF) is an interdisciplinary online library assignment in Brightspace that teaches students about the importance of academic integrity and how to avoid academic mistakes such as plagiarism. A series of five learning modules that incorporate scenarios, self-testing quizzes for understanding and a final pass/fail test, AIF covers academic integrity, recognizing plagiarism, understanding how to incorporate and cite source material in assignments, and strategies for avoiding academic mistakes. The material is designed to be educational and preventative. If you would like more information about AIF, or would like to assign it in your course, please contact Heather Sanderson (902-420-5541) or Cindy Harrigan (902-496-8789).
Online Instructional Materials: The library has many subject research guides and help guides available to help students learn about research resources in their subjects and develop their information skills. Feel free to link to them in your class materials or embed them in your Brightspace courses. We are always developing new guides and help materials. Please contact Heather (902-420-5541) or Cindy (902-496-8789) if you have any suggestions for a new guide or handout you would like to use in your classes.
For detailed information about Information Literacy instruction services, please contact Heather Sanderson (heather.sanderson@smu.ca / 420-5541) or Cindy Harrigan (cindy.harrigan@smu.ca / 496-8789). Please give as much advance notice as possible (preferably two weeks) when booking instruction sessions for a class.