This fall UNM faculty and instructors can help students learn foundational library skills and essential information literacy concepts using the library's newly developed suite of robust and interactive tutorials.
The University Libraries’ Undergraduate Engagement Team developed the new tutorials to serve the needs of 100-200/1000-2000-level classes across disciplines, providing a better, more consistent learning experience for early undergraduate students. The suite comprises 19 asynchronous learning objects (with more to follow) designed for accessibility, modularity and timely delivery. Available topics span from becoming familiar with library resources to effective database searching to using generative AI.
“We looked at what instructors were asking us to teach at this level and combined it with our disciplinary knowledge of what is appropriate for students at this level," said Undergraduate Engagement Coordinator Glenn Koelling, describing the tutorial development process. "Each tutorial went through three reviews before they were published – two faculty and one student. I’m really happy with how they turned out.”
Instead of traditional library workshops, instructors can embed these tutorials at their students’ point of need, mixing and matching topics to align with the demands of the course. Instructors can also schedule tutorials throughout a semester rather than relying on a single class session to cover all library instruction. The Undergraduate Engagement Team recommends assigning the tutorials as homework, and each tutorial has a certificate of completion that students can upload to Canvas. Instructors can also supplement the tutorials by sending students to in-person Research Clinics, 75-minute sessions held outside of class that offer students an opportunity to discuss a research assignment one-on-one with a librarian.
This approach will reduce redundancy and information overload for students while also making library instruction more available to online courses.
“The online information literacy tutorials help to resolve long-standing challenges around library instruction related to consistency, redundancy, capacity, and most importantly, reaching students with the right information at the right moment when they can directly apply information literacy skills in their coursework,” said Amy Jankowski, the director of learning, research, & engagement. “Though some of our instruction is moving online, we have exciting plans in place to continue to build student connections with librarians and library spaces through engagement programming, consultation and reference services.”
Interested in learning more about the tutorials? The Undergraduate Engagement Team welcomes faculty and instructors to schedule consultations to discuss which tutorials best meet your needs. Visit the scheduler to select an appointment time or email undergrads@unm.libanswers.com to ask questions.
The University Libraries’ Learning, Research, and Engagement unit is dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of the UNM community through top-quality instruction and research assistance. The unit comprises two teams—the Undergraduate Engagement team and the Graduate & Faculty Engagement team—working collaboratively to address the unique needs of students, faculty, and researchers across the university.
