Contents
Cal Poly Pomona

Schedule Instruction

 

What to Schedule?

The most effective library instruction is generally tied to a class assignment. When students have an assignment to work on that requires research, they are more likely to view the instruction as relevant and useful, helping them to save time, write a better paper, and get a better grade. Librarians attempt to make instruction sessions as relevant to students as possible by tailoring them to both specific assignments and specific stages in the research process. For example, librarians can help students learn how to:

  • Select and refine a topic
  • Figure out what kind of information they need
  • Develop search strategies and use advanced searching techniques
  • Find books
  • Find plays, poems, or short stories
  • Find articles
  • Find statistics
  • Find government information
  • Use specific databases
  • Find and use the best web resources
  • Find and distinguish between primary and secondary sources
  • Distinguish between scholarly and popular materials
  • Evaluate various resources
  • Organize source material
  • Use sources ethically, avoiding plagiarism
  • Document sources appropriately

Consult with the instruction librarian who works with your department to determine which learning outcomes are the most appropriate for your courses.

When to Schedule?

Advanced notice (one- two weeks in advance) is preferred to ensure the availability of a librarian, access to an instruction room, and preparation of materials tailored to your specific course and assignment.

To make the session as relevant and meaningful to students as possible, please schedule your session at a time during the semester when research and library use are necessary to complete an assignment.

Because becoming an effective researcher is a complex learning process that is facilitated by multiple opportunities to practice and receive feedback on specific research skills, please consider scheduling more than one session for your classes.

How to Schedule?

To arrange for instruction, contact the instruction librarian who works with your specific department or course.

If you have questions, please contact Christy Stevens, the Library Instruction and Information Literacy Coordinator at: crstevens@csupomona.edu or 909-869-4236. Alternatively, you can fill out our Research Instruction Request form.

Working with Your Instruction Librarian

Once you've requested an instruction session, please be prepared to

  • submit a copy of your research assignment or collaborate with a librarian to create one.
  • attend the session. Your participation signals to your students that the session is important, increasing their attention and motivation and enhancing learning.

 

 

Christy Stevens
Information Literacy Coordinator
909-869-4236