LIBR 8 - Introduction to Library Research

Instructor: Tina Inzerilla
Email Instructor

Course Description

Introduction to research techniques using college library resources. Teaches the skills needed to successfully find, evaluate, and document information in print, electronic, and Internet formats. Covers plagiarism, the ethical and legal aspects of information use, and the critical thinking skills necessary for successful college research.

To take this class, you must have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection and experience using a web browser. You will also need to utilize your college Zonemail account. Learn more about Zonemail.

Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.

The instructor may drop students who miss the first meeting of a course. The first meeting of online or hybrid Distance Education courses is the first day of the class as specified in the class schedule listing. For these courses, instructors may drop students who do not log into their Blackboard course and/or complete indicated activities by the third day of classes.

This class begins Sept 13 and ends Nov 19.

On-Campus Meetings

There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus orientation to Online Learning on June 10 (6:30-8 p.m.), Aug 10 (1-2:30 p.m.), or Aug 12 (6:30-8 p.m.). All sessions will be in Room 2420 on campus. Virtual sessions will be offered on the Internet on June 15 and Aug 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.

How This Class Operates

This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class. Some assignments will be done on your own, others will be done in groups. Active participation is required.

Communications will take place primarily via email, the class discussion board and chatrooms. Other possible forms of communication include telephone and face-to-face meetings during on-campus office hours.

This class is divided into Modules, and each Module contains various activities. All of the Modules will be accessible from the Course Materials area, but students will only be able to access currently active and open Modules.

Module 1 is designed to help you become familiar with the technological aspects of taking an online course and give an overall introduction to the library. You have 7 days to complete Module 1. Modules 2-9 cover course content in which you will watch online videos, use an interactive tutorial, read lectures notes, and complete assignments and quizzes related to the course material. You have 7 days to complete Modules 2-9. You will work on your semester project starting in Module 2 and submitting the completed project by the last day of the course. There will be a final exam.

Class Activities

Modules 2-9 have content activities which include assignments, quizzes, and class discussions. Each module has a link to its Module Activity. Students can earn between 130 and 140 points for each Module. Module 10 is where you submit your completed Semester Project and take the Final exam.

Class Project(s)

There will be one Semester Project. You may choose a topic for another course's research project or you may select a topic from a list. Your topic must be approved by the instructor. Starting in Module 2, you will begin creating citations in both MLA and APA format using NoodleBib, an online citation generator. Each week you will receive corrections from your instructor that should be incorporated into your completed Semester Project, which is due by the last day of the course. You are required to complete the Semester Project to receive credit for the course.

How Students are Graded

Each module will be worth between 130 and 140 points. There will be a final exam worth 100 points. The final exam will be given after Module 9. There will be multiple choice, multiple answer, fill in the blank, and true/false quizzes and exams. Students will complete each Module by the due date listed on the syllabus. The assignments and quizzes in the Modules will be removed after the due date. All of the assignments and quizzes may be completed from home. One assignment will require you to go to a library. If you do not come to the
campus library, you may use your local public library for the assignment.

Points for this course:
980-1400 CR
0-979 NC

Succeeding in an Online Course

Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, can't use a computer too well, have taken less than 21 units of college credit in your lifetime, and/or have a grade-point-average under 2.0, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.

Also, don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.

LPC offers a tutorial called "Succeeding in an online course" that will not only tell you if you are a good fit for online learning, but it also offers many strategies -- among other pertinent information -- that will help you succeed online. Please complete the tutorial.

Blackboard

This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Login Procedures page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.