This information has been provided for librarians, instructors, faculty and other educators interested in learning more about Searchpath.
If you have questions regarding the use of Searchpath or suggestions on making it more useful for El Centro College students, please email the El Centro College Library or call us at 214 860 2174.
If you have contributions or general suggestions about using Searchpath, please email the Western Michigan University Library.
What is Searchpath?
Who Is It Designed For?
How Can Instructors Effectively Use Searchpath with their Courses?
Does Searchpath Replace Library Instruction?
What Is Searchpath?
Searchpath is a self-instructional tutorial to teach viewers basic library and research skills.
It covers the research process from initial topic selection to citation styles and the issue of plagiarism.
There is a link to Searchpath on the El Centro Library home page.
The content is organized into six modules:
| 1 - Starting Smart | an overview that introduces students to various types of sources. |
| 2 - Choosing a Topic | which provides tips on broadening and narrowing a topic and discusses search concepts. |
| 3 - Using DCCCD Online Catalog | which has live practice searches in our online catalog. |
| 4 - Finding Articles | in which students can practice searching the Periodical Abstracts database. |
| 5 - Using the Web | which includes the comparative evaluation of Web sources. |
| 6 - Citing Sources | a module that also includes the topics of plagiarism and copyright. |
Each of the six sections takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, and students can do this on their own time outside of class. Each of the modules is followed by a short quiz.
Who Is It Designed For?
Searchpath
is designed for students in classes with a substantial writing component
or introductory-level research, such as English, Speech, Composition, and other core classes. However, we hope instructors of other
classes will find it useful and assign it to their students.
How
Can Instructors Effectively Use Searchpath with Their Courses?
Please
have students complete Searchpath before they begin their
research or attend a library session. Students can complete Searchpath
on their own time and submit their quiz results to you.
Each module is followed by a short quiz and a results page, which provides a summary of questions answered right or wrong and an overall percentage score for that module. The results pages can be printed out with the student’s name at the top and submitted to you as proof of completion. We strongly suggest that students be required to pass the quizzes with a score of at least 85% or better. They may retake a quiz as many times as they want. In addition, some instructors have chosen to give extra credit points to students who complete Searchpath.
Does Searchpath Replace Library Instruction?Timing is important! Please schedule library instruction with us for a date after your class has received a research assignment, so students learn about searching databases at a time when they need to know this information.
We prefer to offer instruction sessions with an accompanying assignment. Research has shown that:
Our Library classroom is heavily booked, so please schedule early to reserve the date and time you need -- preferably call us at least 2 weeks ahead. Requests will be filled on a first-come basis.
To arrange a library instruction session contact:
Linda Baker, phone: ext. 2177
Joe David, phone: ext. 2180
More information is available at our website:
Library Orientation Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Library Orientation Online Request Form
Library Drop-In Workshops & Orientations
