Interactive Learning for Budding Researchers
Give your students the skills and knowledge to succeed in their studies by assigning one of our self-paced tutorials. Drawing on H5P interactive activities, engaging videos, knowledge checks, and quizzes, these tutorials are designed to support all students with critical information and research skills. The tutorials below are easy to integrate into your course and are a great alternative to in-class librarian visits.
Tutorials
LIB101: Library & Research Foundations This introductory tutorial is designed for anyone new to academic research (like first-year students). It imparts vital library and information skills that support your students with the foundations of finding and evaluating information resources. Approximate time to complete: 60 minutes.
This tutorial is divided into four units:
Students will be able to:
- Identify key people and processes involved in the production of information and scholarly sources
- Differentiate between resource types (e.g., primary vs secondary sources)
- Evaluate news sources
Why is this important?
Students who can critically assess, evaluate, and identify information they come across in and outside the classroom are building integral skills to incorporate appropriate information sources into their assignments and coursework.
Students will be able to:
- Learn about the processes and challenges involved in peer review
- Discover Indigenous ways of knowing and traditional knowledge methods relating to research practices
- Understand the impact of citation politics
- Explain and practice academic integrity
Why is this important?
Students who understand the rigors of scholarly publishing contrasted with alternative ways of knowing are building up the ability to incorporate a wider and more representative interpretation of topics in their field of study.
Students will be able to:
- Formulate research questions
- Translate research topics into database searches
- Understand that searching for and using information is a process
Why is this important?
Students who can recognize themes and concepts within a research topic or question are developing key skills that make searching for information more efficient and successful.
Students will be able to:
- Understand what a library databases are
- Access Brock Library resources (both digital and print)
- Find and navigate program/course guides
- Use basic search operators (AND & OR) when searching databases
Why is this important?
Students who understand advanced technical skills when searching for information are developing the ability to persist when confronted with hard-to-find information or hard-to-use platforms.
LIB102: Me, Myself, and A.I. In this tutorial, students are introduced to Generative AI tools, how they work, some key challenges and benefits, and how to use them with integrity throughout their academic studies. Approximate time to complete: 40-50 minutes.
This tutorial is divided into two units:
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Describe the different types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how they work.
- Understand the development of Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) and how they work.
- Explain the challenges with accuracy and bias in Generative AI tools.
- Consider the impacts of Artificial Intelligence systems on people and the environment.
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Practice deciding if working with Generative AI tools will support or hinder learning opportunities.
- Understand which tasks Generative AI tools are best suited for (and which they are not).
- Engage with Generative AI tools by creating effective and safe prompts.
- Acknowledge and cite accordingly when working with Generative AI tools.
LIB201: Research in English Language & Literature In this tutorial, students will learn the unique approaches of doing research in English Language & Literature courses. Topics like primary and secondary sources, specialized databases, and search tips and techniques will give students a focused look at this area of scholarship. Approximate time to complete: 20 minutes.
Student self-enrollment and certificates
Students can self-enroll in any tutorial on their own time via the links above. Each tutorial consists of one or more units, each concluding with a quiz. Once a student has successfully completed all of the quizzes, they are awarded a printable PDF certificate which can be used as proof of completing the tutorial.
Assigning a tutorial
Assigning a library tutorial in your course is easy. We suggest adding an assignment in your Brightspace site requiring students to upload their certificate. Include the direct link to the tutorial(s) within the assignment. The assignment could be worth a small percentage (we recommend 2%) or serve as a pass/fail or participation mark. For students who have previously completed one of the tutorials, they can upload their existing certificate, saving the need to retake the tutorial.
Connect with us
Interested in adopting this approach but have questions? Reach out to Vanja Stojanovic, Teaching and Learning Librarian for more details.