Planning a Library Assignment

Just about any assignment that involves finding and using resources outside of a textbook requires that students first recognize what information is needed and then have the skills to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information; this is the very definition of information literacy. The Library strives to offer resources that can aid students in this process. This page offers some tips in planning, designing, and assessing assignments that use Library resources so that such assignments can help students become better researchers.

Jump to Library Assignment: Planning | Designing | Assessing | Suggestions

Planning a Library Assignment

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1. Assume your students have minimal knowledge of how to do research in a college library.

2. Consult with a librarian concerning the assignment so that you know if resources needed to complete the assignment are available in the IU Kokomo Library.

3. Review the subject research guides that are already available on the Library's Web site. If one is not available on your class topic, you may ask the Library to develop one that meets your needs.

4. Try out your assignment yourself to see how long it takes an experienced researcher to complete, as well as to be sure it can easily be completed with the available resources.

Designing a Library Assignment

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1. Be clear about assignment goals, preferably in writing.

2. Announce grading criteria for the assignment.

3. Make sure students know which style manual you want them to use, as well as how to find documentation and help for this style through the Writing Center.

4. Discuss why it is important to cite sources and how doing so discourages plagiarism.

5. Make sure students can research a variety of topics for the assignment. The Library may have limited print materials on certain topics, which would not allow an entire class to use them unless the materials were placed on reserve.

6. Review student topics; avoid current or very local topics, especially if students need scholarly sources. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles take time to publish.

7. Avoid scavenger hunts or trivial pursuit assignments. They are difficult for students to complete using Library resources and do not help students learn the research process.

Assessing a Library Assignment

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1. Make sure the assignment expectations are clearly stated.

2. Develop a grading rubic to assess the assignment.

3. Establish intermittent deadlines along the way; this allows for a review of students' work. This process also allows you to provide guidance for those students who need it, as well as helps to prevent plagiarism.

Assignment Suggestions

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Below are links to some resources that might help you create assignments that can best be completed using Library resources.

Sample Assignments

1. 10 Sample Assignments (Ohio University, Athens, OH): A list of assignments, many of them offering more creative approaches to research than just assigning students a paper to write.

2. Suggestions for Assignments (Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN): This site contains a chart that lays out alternatives to the standard research paper, as well as outlines the concepts and skills the assignment options address.

3. Alternative Research Assignments (San Diego State University, San Diego, CA): Provides a list of assignments that are good alternates to the research paper. These assignments encourage students to utilize knowledge-based resources, think critically, and acquire research knowledge.

Last Updated: 19 July 2011