Teaching Support

Trent University Library offers a range of support services for faculty and instructors.

As information specialists, we are well positioned to teach students about finding and using information, organizing resources, thinking critically, and researching ethically. When librarians work together with instructors to include these skills in their courses, it enhances the educational experience and better prepares students for the challenges of academic research.

We highly recommend taking a moment to send us a message at library@trentu.ca to see how we can support your course.

Suggested text to include in your syllabus 

(Longer version) 

A quick note on using the Library. 

To ensure your success at Trent, I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the resources our Library offers. Here are three ways to make better use of the library: 

  1. Meet with a Librarian: The best way to improve your research skills quickly is to schedule a one-on-one meeting with your subject librarian. Click on your subject here to find your subject librarian. They will equip you with the skills to find high quality information more quickly. This will serve you well throughout your time at Trent. 
  2. Learn how to use Omni: Invest a bit of time (maybe 15 or 20 minutes) learning how to use Omni to find books and journal articles. Unlike Google's natural language search, Omni operates on keywords and boolean operators. Check out the Library’s keyword searching guide to learn more. 
  3. Use the Library building: Make the Library buildings (Bata or Durham Library) a part of your academic life. Drop in and find a spot to catch up on readings, book a study space, charge your devices, and maybe run into friends.  

Remember, our Librarians and Library staff want to help you succeed. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions via email (library@trentu.ca) or to ask a question in person at the Library Service Desk.  

 

(Shorter version) 

Need to do a research project or essay, but don't know where to start? Looking for a book, article, primary source or data to support your argument? Ask a librarian! Reach out to our main email (library@trentu.ca) or for specialized help, find your subject librarian and book a meeting with them. 

 

Other information to include in your syllabus

1. A link to your subject librarian's contact page 

Students are welcome to contact their subject librarians for any questions about research resources and library services. 

  • Allison Ridgway (Peterborough): Bachelor of Arts & Science, Cultural Studies, English Literature, ESL, French & Francophone Studies, Gender & Social Justice, Languages & Linguistics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, University Bridge 

  • Ellen Olsen-Lynch (Peterborough): Aging Studies, Applied Modeling, Biology, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science/Studies, Forensic Science, Geography, Health & Behaviour, Indigenous Environmental Studies/Science, Kinesiology, Materials Science, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, Sustainability Studies, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Water Sciences

  • James Watson (Peterborough): Ancient Greek & Roman Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, Canadian Studies, Education, History, Indigenous Studies, International Development Studies, Law, Political Studies 

  • Abdullah Yossofzai (Durham): Business & Economics, Child & Youth Studies, Communications, Criminology & Policing, Journalism 

2. A link to your subject's research guide 

Using their subject’s research guide, students can find resources pertinent to their work, including academic databases, books, journals, or professional internet resources. 

Find your research guide here. Faculty are welcome to make comments or suggestions to improve the subject guides with the liaison librarians. 

3. A link to the Maps, Data, & Government Information Centre.  

MaDGIC facilitates access to a world of research materials and technologies such as maps, atlases, air photos, geospatial and statistical data, government information, and specialized software and hardware to work with these materials in new and innovative ways. Find more information on MaDGIC here.

4. A link to the Archives research guides. 

The Archives offers a unique opportunity to work with primary sources. Take a moment to explore the Archives' website or browse the Archives by subject to see if they have material relevant to your work. Staff are happy to provide archival research support at archives@trentu.ca.

The Trent University Library offers a Library Research Skills Course designed to teach students the information literacy and research skills they need for success including the information timeline and types of research resources (academic vs. popular, etc.); developing a research question; strategically searching for resources using Omni (Trent’s library search tool); critical evaluation of sources; and to how to find help with library research.

This course is available asynchronously on Blackboard. Please reach out to the Library (library@trentu.ca) to inquire about integrating this course into your curriculum. The course is available throughout each semester, and you may select the due date by which you want students to complete the course.

The course is made up of five modules. Students complete an untimed, open-book, multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion upon completing the quizzes with grades of 100%. Students can retake quizzes as many times as necessary until they achieve 100%.

We encourage instructors to integrate this course as part of your syllabus and final grade to encourage students to complete the course and hone their research and information literacy skills.

Librarians offer in-class information literacy and research workshops. Most workshops range from 30 to 90 minutes and can be tailored to specific research-based assignments and skills needed in your course.

Workshop topics may include but are not limited to:

  • developing a research question/topic
  • keyword searching in Omni (Trent’s library search tool)
  • strategic searching in subject-specific databases
  • critically evaluating research sources
  • how to use citation management software

Our goal is to promote information literacy, focusing on teaching students to effectively use and critically assess information. This skill ensures students submit better quality assignments and are prepared for a lifetime of assessing the veracity of information.

For more information on how to incorporate library resources into your teaching or to schedule a workshop, please contact library@trentu.ca.

The Trent University Archives and Special Collections can provide opportunities for students to work directly with rare books, historical documents, photographs, maps, and other primary sources. Our vast collections support many subject areas, and we can help course instructors engage students with hands-on, critical thinking about course themes.

Archives staff are available to partner with course instructors to ensure students are supported and feel comfortable using the Archives’ resources. The Archives supports student learning at all levels, from first year undergraduate courses to advanced graduate programs. We are available to provide the following:

  1. Help identifying collections that support your course themes.
  2. Advice on best practices for designing archival assignments that meet your course’s learning objectives.
  3. A class field trip to the Archives. This can involve a tour, session on archival research, and/or hands-on activities to get students engaged with primary resources.
  4. A guest lecture by the University Archivist.
  5. Support for your students throughout their research journeys. 

If you’d like to integrate the archives into your courses, or want to organize a group visit, please get in touch at archives@trentu.ca.

Tip 1 Reach out to your Librarian or Archivist for advice or in-class instruction

They are your primary contact and can assist you with all things Library and Archives related, as well as locating resources or services to enhance your teaching and research.

The Librarians and Archivist can also provide in-class workshops, in-person or virtual, on using Omni or subject specific databases, developing effective search strategies, locating and visualizing data, finding primary sources, or how to use citation management tools.

  • Learning & Liaison Librarians - subject specialists, general library research, information literacy, knowledge syntheses, citation management tools
  • Research Data Services Librarian - data literacy, data management, data visualization, maps, GIS, government documents
  • Archivist - archival research, archives visits, identification of collections to support course work, advice on designing archival assignments

Tip 2 Don’t assume that students know how to find library resources

Many students often have little or no experience in the library and need help with accessing resources like course readings. Omni is the library’s main academic search tool. Familiarize yourself with Trent’s Library resources. Refer students to the Omni Guide or to one the many Research Guides that highlight subject specific resources.

Tip 3 Discuss with students the importance of critically evaluating sources

Talk about the differences between academic journals and popular magazines, the challenges with AI generated information, and how to apply evaluation criteria such as credibility, authority, intention, and privilege when selecting information sources. There are many evaluation frameworks to help students do this. Here is a selection of five commonly used frameworks:

Tip 4 Share with students some of the challenges of searching for information sources

Chatting with your students about the search process is important. Let them know it can be challenging and take a lot of time, especially when hunting for the right materials. Let them know it’s usually an iterative process. Their original research question might shift as they dig deeper, so they should be ready for some challenges along the way. Sharing your own experiences can highlight the effort involved in research.  

The Library Research Skills Course, an asynchronous course in Blackboard, can help students better understand the research process. Some instructors require students to do this in their coursework. If you know your course doesn’t include this and would like to recommend it to students, let us know and we’ll send you the link to get them registered. 

Tip 5 Recommend to students meeting with a Librarian or Archivist

They are happy to meet with students to assist in all stages of the research process, from question development to citation management. 

  • Book-a-Librarian for online or in-person consultation. 
  • E-mail: mailto:library@trentu.ca
  • In Peterborough: Drop in to the Learning & Liaison office (BL 208), the Archives (BL 117), or the Maps, Data and Government Information Centre (BL 415)
  • In Oshawa: Drop in to the Library & Learning Centre (55 Thornton Rd South) or visit the Learning & Liaison Librarian in the Advanced Learning Centre, Rm 513 (11 Simcoe St.)

 

Adapted from Teaching Tips for Grad Student TAs, MacOdrum Library, Carleton University.