51ĀŅĀ×

Photographer: John Michael Simpson/51ĀŅĀ× Libraries(From left) Loran Marsan, lecturer of women's, gender, and sexuality studies; David Bell, associate professor of linguistics; and Sherri Saines, subject librarian of social sciences, discuss classroom assignments.

51ĀŅĀ× Libraries is currently accepting faculty applications for participation in the fourth round of the ā€œReimagining the Research Assignmentā€ program, a faculty-librarian collaboration for student success. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 2.

This offers the perspective of faculty participants in the program: ā€œI was able to see a substantial change in the quality of [studentsā€™] work,ā€ reflects Aimee Edmonson, associate professor of journalism.

This year, the program consists of two 80-minute workshops in Alden Library, followed by an in-depth collaboration with a subject librarian, and deployment of the revised assignment in fall of 2018.

There are two sets of workshop dates. Participants will choose one set of dates to attend:

Series 1: Tuesday and Thursday, April 3 and 5, from 10:30-11:50 a.m.
Series 2: Monday and Wednesday, April 9 and 11, from 2-3:20 p.m.

Applicants should be mindful that there will be readings and homework between the two workshops, and plan accordingly. Workshops will take place in Alden Library 251 and include light refreshments.

ā€œReimagining the Research Assignmentā€ is designed to aid faculty in improving student learning on any activity that uses informationā€”from analyzing one given text to discovering and synthesizing large amounts of data. The programā€™s main goal is to work with faculty to incorporate successful information practices into classrooms in every discipline.

The workshop will cover what research has uncovered about student information use, common frustrations encountered by instructors and students, ways to address those bottlenecks, and creative ideas for activities and assignments that boost student literacy about information use.

ā€œThe intensive collaboration with oneā€™s subject librarian is really the lynchpin of this process,ā€ says Sherri Saines, chair of the librarian Community of Practice organizing this program. ā€œWe do want to share what we know about how students do research and how our outlook on information is changing, of course. But the fun part, the real meat of the thing, is working one-on-one, faculty and librarian, crafting something that finally gets results, reduces everyoneā€™s frustration, and improves the quality of student work.ā€

Any instructor at 51ĀŅĀ× is welcome to apply. All faculty, teaching assistants (TAs), and teaching graduate students (GAs) are eligible to apply. The application is a very short online form. It requires uploading the description of the activity or assignment the instructor wishes to workshop.

Here is where the can be found.

Announcements of acceptance to the program will be made no later than March 2. This cohort is limited to 30 participants.

Further queries may be addressed to