Tag:

eresources

    Attention Instructors: Consider Accessible Course Materials

    by Erin Sanderman
    written by Erin Sanderman

    Are you teaching a course this fall? I know… we’re not even half-way through summer term and we’re already talking about fall, but time moves quickly. A huge consideration that goes into planning an effective course is the required reading materials that your students will need to consume to be successful in your course. Are they going to be able to access their course materials should the unforeseen occur?

    If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that things can change suddenly. In the event of a sudden lockdown (fingers crossed this doesn’t happen again), students might lose access to physical items that are located on shelf at one of our libraries. Just this past spring term when we were forced to close our curbside pick-up service due to public health measures some students were unable to access required readings that were only available in our physical collection. This caused an incredible amount of stress for these students who had no other options to access these books. How can you prevent this from happening to your students? Endeavour to choose accessible course materials.

    What do I mean by accessible course materials? Accessible course materials are books and articles that are available electronically through University of Alberta Library or through open access publication channels (Open Educational Resources (OERs) and articles published in open access journals). Choosing such materials helps ensure that your students can access course readings more easily.

    Tracking down open access articles and OERs is a tall order, but fear not, the library is here to help. Here are three services you can take advantage of:

    • Our librarian experts can help you in your search for accessible resources. Request an appointment with one of our librarian experts using our Book A Consultation form.
    • Use our Course Materials/Reading List Service. You can request that our course materials team check the availability of the items on your list, and purchase titles that are not currently in our collection.
    • Create your own OER. Michelle and our publishing team are more than happy to help you get started.

    Not every book is available electronically, but taking a few extra steps in curating your course reading list can go a long way to help your students succeed. If you have any questions about our course materials service or potential course materials Ask Us!

    0 comment
    0 FacebookTwitterEmail

  • Hidden Gems: ArtStor

    by Eva Romanick
    by Eva Romanick

    The University of Alberta Library subscribes to numerous databases that are core for certain disciplines, but also really deserving of wider attention. This is one of those gems… Artstor is a collection of more than a million high-quality digital images of works of art from the collections of galleries, museums, and libraries around the world. It is used most often by researchers in the Arts and Human Ecology: Clothing, Textiles & Material…

  • Congratulations grads! Don’t forget, your Alumni Perks Include Library Access

    by Junelle Mah
    by Junelle Mah

    Congratulations to you, University of Alberta graduate! The last couple of months have been strange, to say the least, but don’t let that diminish your achievements. You’re ready to hit up the real world with your brain full of academic wonder, but what happens when someone tries to challenge your knowledge base once you’ve left the U ofA ’s bunny-frolicked campus grounds? Which academic resources can you use as an alumni to…

  • eClass Library Resources Block – Your research “to go” window

    by Erin Sanderman
    by Erin Sanderman

    The next time you log into one of your eClass courses, have a look in the top right hand corner. The UofA Libraries Resources Block is your research “to go” window in eClass. Use the block to find resources for your assignment, log in to your account, book a group study room or to get help from library staff. Check it out and feel free to give us your feedback!