Digital/Analog/DigitalJonathan O. Cain
Reference & Instruction LibrarianWexler Library
Hunter College (CUNY)
Timeline of Events
Developed the Research
Journal
Introduced it to Professor Veronica
Gregg
Incorporated into class syllabus
Students attend Library
Instruction Session
Students are Introduced to
Research Journal
Students Submit
Assignments
Students follow up
with me via e-mail and BB
Introduce Blog with notes and
Screencast
THE RESEARCH JOURNALThe Research Journal
So, what is it?Inspired by PubMed functionality
It’s designed to help students become savvy database researchers
It is open and flexible
Easily tracks research progress
Produces a tangible document to prove research process
Produces a referential document to show Professor or Librarian in consultation
THE ASSIGNMENTThe Assignment
• Students were assigned to Library Instruction Session with me.
• Students were introduced to the Library resource (CUNY+ & Databases)
• Particular emphasis was placed on navigating Databases (JSTOR)
• Students were introduced to the Research Journal and its key concepts
The Library Visit
THE POWER OF BLACKBOARDThe Power of Blackboard
Why Blackboard ?Blackboard Blog
• Time for Library Instruction is limited
• Wanted to be present for research support
• Added to BB for class as Course Builder
• Plan was to answer emails, and post big questions to blog
• Developed into a more discreet project
It became apparent:students needed a little more help, so we created…
SCREENCASTSScreencasts
Screencasts
• Worked with Prof. Veronica Gregg (Africana& Puerto Rican/Latino Studies) to construct a search
• Search targeted very particular articles• Illustrated more advanced facet searching• Created a step by step instructional • Posted to Blackboard• Highly utilized by students
The 2nd AttemptAfter the intervention with Blackboard screencasts
Next StepsStudents now have a far better grasp on constructing stronger searches.
These skills are to be transferred into the next project.
This project is designed to: “help students gather, assess, and use evidence and secondary sources in their own academic writing. It is a particularly useful step as it lays the groundwork for the research paper at the end of the semester. Pay particular attention to the process involved.”-(AFPRL 236, Second Paper)