BHCC Library
& Learning Commons  

Reference area silent study area Reference area

Opening Session | Information Tools |  Range of Sources   |  Intellectual Property & Plagiarism   |   Databases & Searching |   Emerging Technologies   |  Evaluation of Sources   |  Conclusion | Glossary |   ACRL Standards of Information Literacy  

Tutor Training Sessions

Title: Session 1 - Opening Session

Guiding Question: What are we doing here? What can we do to make the most of our time together?

Objectives: A.] Upon completion of this session, tutors will agree to take on their 5 primary tasks:
1.) attend these training sessions 7 make sure they get something out of them
2.) work at getting familiar with identifying an iSkills need and resisting the impulse to solve the problem instead of introduce the solution
3.) practice matching iSkill needs to web based iSkills support tools
(start with familiarizing yourself with the learning objects linked to these sessions)
4.) work with Lori and me to move this training to the next level (fall project extension)
5.) participate in assessment activities and focus groups as needed
B.] Upon completion of this session tutors will be able to distinguish the stream from the pipe
C.] Upon completion of this session tutors will contribute to the web site

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links (from http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/guidingq.htm#whyus):

Glossary terms: High-context learning Context in communication has first been described by E.T. Hall. It assumes, that during a communication not only the utterances are "transferred", but that every communication also has a "deeper meaning" (or implicitly stored information) which can not necessarily be derived from the utterances alone.

Learning Objects - Learning objects are small electronic units of educational information that are flexible, reusable, customizable, interoperable, retrievable, facilitate competency-based learning, and increase the value of content (from http://www.uwex.edu/ics/design/glossary.htm ). Online tutorials are a common type of learning object.

URL ( Uniform Resource Locator) - URL ( Uniform Resource Locator) - The unique address identifying a resource accessible at a particular location on the Internet for routing purposes. The same resource, or different versions of it, may be available simultaneously at other Internet addresses. Example: http://www.myuniversity.edu/library/hours.html

The first part of the URL designates the TCP/IP protocol used to access the resource. In the example given above, http:// indicates that the resource is accessible through the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. In most Web browsers, the default setting in the "Open" or "Location" field is http:// so there is no need to include the protocol when opening a Web document. The remaining parts of a URL are separated by either a full stop (dot) or a slash. URLs are case sensitive.

Mediator - A person or software program that functions between the end-user and an online bibliographic retrieval system to assist in database selection, establish telecommunication connections, formulate useful queries in correct syntax, and evaluate the relevance of information retrieved. Mediated searching is provided on request in most academic libraries by a public services librarian specially trained in online searching.

Disintermediation - Elimination of the mediator or "middleman." In the delivery of information services, the need for professional assistance is minimized in user-friendly systems designed to facilitate end-user searching.

Reintermediation - To provide value as a middleman (intermediary) in order to avoid disintermediation.

Quantum computing - A type of computing which uses the laws of quantum mechanics to, and the way that atoms can be in more than one state at once to do computational tasks.

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 2 - Information Tools

Guiding Question: In a world booming with technological advancement in the form of text messaging, chat, web-based email and portal documents, we face the challenge of meeting our students wherever they are with such technology. How do we, then, support BHCC students in these areas of information tools and still give them control of their information searches?

Objectives:By the end of this session, you will have been exposed to resources that would help you to better support our students with:

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links:

Glossary terms: Bulk-Mail: Identical e-mail, typically solicited advertisement sent to large number of addresses.

Cookie: A small text file on your computer's hard drive that records the websites you visit

Spam: Unsolicited email or any email that you don't want. Spam email messages are sent out in large quantities from unknown sources and usually are unexpected by the user.

PDF: In full-text bibliographic databases, a "native PDF" file is received in a digital format from the publisher, reproducing the appearance of the original text and images with a high degree of clarity. A "scanned PDF" file is created by running a print copy of the text through a high-quality scanner. The result is then examined closely for legibility.

Alias: An assumed name

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 3 - Range of Sources - Guiding your students from information need to information source: How do you help people find the right source from the wide range that's out there? This tutorial will help your student find the source that is best for the assignment.

Guiding Question: What is the information need relating to the range of sources available to students and how do I relate that need to a learning object?

Objectives:Tutors will have the acquired knowledge about various sources available. In addition tutors will not only be able to distinguish qualities of sources but be able to recognize the importance of scope, authority, material format, accuracy, selection, and special features.

Session materials:

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 4 - Intellectual Property, Plagiarism and Citing Sources - This session looks at the nature of intellectual property and identifies resources that help you respect the intellectual property of others. Avoiding plagiarism by proper citing of sources is a major focus.

Guiding Question: How do I respect the intellectual work of others?

Objectives: After this session the information literacy tutors will:

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links: http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/EducationalModule/Plagiarism/whatisplagiarism.html  - A very good movie by Rutgers University on plagiarism and how to avoid it.

http://www.lib.byu.edu/departs/copyright/tutorial/videos/vid1.htm  - The Brigham Young University movie on copyright

More learning objects can be found at http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/ILresourcelist.htm

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 5 - Databases and Searching - Understand what databases do, can do, and can’t do for students, for research, and for information management. Make the search process understandable and worthwhile by empowering users to control and construct interactions with any database.

Guiding Question: Which helps more, being given the fish or being taught how to fish?

Objectives:

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links: Serendipitous searching? Explore your Information Seeker Profile at http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/ffi/infoprofile.htm

Youtube - Databases: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nik3pyJwaYI

Which databases have been previously recommended for related classes? http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/instruction.htm

Some great online tutorials
Cal State Tutorials http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/infocomp/modules/index.htmDuke Library Guide to Research http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/home.htm
University at Albany Libraries http://library.albany.edu/usered/eltools/eds2.htmlRutgers Library Instruction http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/libs/robeson_lib/instruction/

Where librarians start for Web searching
http://www.ipl.org
http://www.digital-librarian.com
http://www.lii.org
http://www.refdesk.com

Glossary terms: Database - Regularly updated automated archive of articles, abstracts, images, statistics, etc. contains relevant source material on a particular subject or field. Individuals searching this tool have access to multiple resources that is not limited to current issues of periodicals but older issues as well.

Full text - Full text indicates that a particular database provides the entire textual content of an article or document. Some database provides only citations or abstracts, while others provide the full text.

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 6 - Emerging Technologies - There are exciting web-based tools emerging that allow you to gather, organize, reorganize and make sense of information. In this session you will explore how to show fellow students how these emerging technologies will allow them to cite sources, collect multiple sources in one place and organize web sites to suit their needs.

Guiding Question: How will these tools allow me guide the student to better use the information they have and gather and organize what they will need?

Objectives: Peer tutors will be able to

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links:

Selected Learning Objects – in alphabetical order Complete list can be found at http://del.icio.us/BHCCLibrary

Glossary terms: Atom Syndication Format – an XML standard used for web feeds. Atom was created as an alternative to the RSS standard for web feeds. Some developers felt an alternative was needed because there were several versions of RSS, but are not all compatible with one another.

Blog - A webpage designed by an individual or organization arranged in reverse chronological order. Views expressed on a specific topic or subject.

Citation tools – a resource (electronic or hard copy) that provides standard methods to acknowledge the source of quotations or ideas.

Open Source Software - Software for which the source code is made available without charge by the owner or licenser, usually via the Internet, to encourage the rapid development of a more useful and bug-free product through open peer review. The practice also allows the product to be customized by its users to suit local needs (for example Linux operating system).

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) – a web feed format. (see web feed)

Social book marking sites – A website that allow users to create lists of links to web pages. The links are described by tags or keywords. These links are accessible to others (except if the user chooses to hide the link).

Web 2.0 – Refers to a change in the use of the World Wide Web from a static entity in which content was static to its current state where tools and technologies are available that facilitate collaboration and sharing by users. Social network sites and wikis are examples of web 2.0 technologies.  

Web feed – A data format that provides users with information from its parent website. These feeds are read by an aggregator, thereby allowing the user to access information from a variety of sources in one place. Web feeds are usually created for information that is regularly updated, such as blogs, newspapers and job postings. RSS and Atoms are examples of file formats for web feeds.

Web feed aggregator (also known as Web feed reader) – Software that gathers web feeds in one website.

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 7 - Evaluation of Sources - Once you have an information source in hand, what do you do next? Evaluate! But how do you evaluate? This session provides you with the tools to help your students find the resources that will enable them to separate the information that is useful from information that is not.

Guiding Question: How good is good enough? How much is enough?

Objectives: Tutors will be able to

Session materials:

Learning Objects & Links:

Evaluate Web Information Sources from UCLA: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/college/help/critical/index.htm

Evaluate Web Information from UC Berkeley: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html

Evaluate Scholarly Sources Tutorial from Louisiana State University: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/evaluation/evaluation00.html

Information Publication Types from New Mexico State University (Powerpoint) http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/toolkit/typesofinfo.ppt

Example Sites: Free Online Pregnancy Test - http://www.thepregnancytester.com/
Havidol - http://www.havidol.com/

Fakes or not?: "Hotheads." Discover 16.4 (Apr. 1995): 13. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. BHCC Library, Boston, MA. 4 June 2007. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,cpid&custid=bhc&db=aph&AN=9503213836&site=ehost-live&scope=site .

Fake scholarly source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_Affair

An evaluation exercise: http://www.information-literacy.net/2006/10/hoax-or-just-strange-web-evaluation.html

Quality-controlled online searching: Librarians' Index to the Internet: http://www.lii.org

Academic Index: http://www.academicindex.net/

Glossary terms: Source - Typically, the generic name given to intellectual property when a person other than the owner of the property has used or mentioned it, such as in a book or article.

Primary sources - Fundamental authoritative materials related to a subject, used in preparation of a written work (original records, documents, publications.) Primary sources are results of experiments or original research, literary, literary works, autobiographies, original theories, and other materials.

Secondary sources - Published work that follows after an original work and critiques such items.

Authority - Knowledge and experience that qualifies an individual to speak or write on a specific topic with credentials might include awards, published writing, and lectures.

Accuracy  - The quality of correctness as to fact and of precision as to detail in information resources and in the delivery of information services. In libraries, it is essential that the resources used by librarians to provide reference service be free of error. Accuracy is also an important criterion in judging the reliability of information provided on the Internet. The accuracy of a statement is verified by consulting other sources that provide the same information.

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Title: Session 8 - Conclusion

Evaluation: Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Session Help Files

ETS iSkills Assessment -
http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/
menuitem.435c0b5cc7bd0ae7015d9510c3921509/
?vgnextoid=b8a246f1674f4010VgnVCM1
0000022f95190RCRD

Trails - http://www.trails-9.org/

Very Short Feedback Form (2 mins)

Brief Evaluation Form (10 mins)

Elluminate - http://www.elluminate.com/

ACRL Information Literacy Standards - http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/acrlactivities.htm