Skip to Main Content

First Year Composition Instructor Toolkit

How the Library can support your instruction

Library Instruction Options

  • Digital Modules/Tutorials
    • High-quality, multimodal tutorials on a range of topics related to information literacy and research.
    • Provides knowledge checks for checking students’ understanding
    • Embed resources right into D2L
    • Stronger information literacy and critical thinking skills lead to higher retention
    • Offers ADA compliant resources
    • Good option if you feel too pressed for time to address information literacy concepts during class meetings. Also a good way to introduce and assess students to MLA/Citation information.
  • Class sessions with a librarian, tailored to your syllabus and assignment
    • Must share assignment guidelines and syllabus before session confirmation
    • Good option for students who all have similar assignments
  • Personal research consultations or small group instruction
    • Students meet individually or in small groups with a librarian to discuss topic, search strategies and locate relevant research.
    • Students can book consultations here: http://gcsu.libcal.com/
  • Course guide creation
    • ​A great place for housing links, readings, complementary course materials, open access educational resources. Also fully integrated within D2L.

Assignment Design: Things to Consider

  • Scaffolding
    • How does this assignment/class session support your syllabus and learning outcomes?
    • Is this assignment/session building on foundational skills?
    • Have you provided feedback or opportunities for peer review to students on smaller research or writing assignments?
  • Timing of session/assignment
    • Does the timing of the assignment/session make sense with respect to the semester? 
  • Available research
    • Is research about the topics or readings you assign readily available within library databases?
    • Does the assignment lend itself well to the skills of students doing academic research and writing for the first time?

Research Design Checklist