Library Web Tutorial
George Mason University
|
|
|
The entry screen is eye-catching and informative, telling you the three things you will learn: library catalog, articles, web research. The menu screen welcomes you again(!) and explains what you will do: "This tutorial consists of four modules, designed to help you learn the skills you'll need to do research throughout your college career and beyond!"
A menu bar stays on the left throughout, so one can easily move back and forth as you need reinforcement. Arrows guide you forward or back, and each page is clearly numbered "Module 1 Page 2" etc. The text is clear and simple, and colors are used for emphasis. Graphics are minimal and loading is quick. There is minimal interaction needed, and the modules are short and quick to complete. You must login to take the Practice Test for self-assessment and the Final Test with certification, thus they cannot be evaluated.
|
Databases & Searching |
Library Catalog |
| One of the few tutorials that starts out explaining what a database is, which few students may know. Diagrams illustrate the phone book and the tv guide to make the subject relevant. Boolean searching is explained and examples are provided. | Explains the windows and web versions of the online catalog, and suggests the reference desk for more help. It shows you how to find the URL from the library home page. Only keyword searching is explained, with the advice to "ask a librarian" for help with subject searching. |
|
Article Database |
Research on the Web |
|
1. Write a sentence that states your topic (Module 1, P.7)
2. Select the most appropriate database for finding articles on that topic 3. Develop and apply a good search strategy (remember Module 1?) and apply that search strategy in the database you have chosen. 4. Evaluate your results. |
Explains what the Internet is and isn't, what the URL and hypertext are, domain names, subject indexes like Yahoo and search engines like Altavista, and provides some tips for successful seaching. |
| Research | |
| Understanding information needed | Yes |
| Narrowing research topic | Yes |
| Database definition | Yes |
| Catalog Searching | Yes |
| Article Searching | Yes |
| Keyword searching | Yes |
| Boolean searching | Yes |
| Controlled vocabulary | Yes |
| Primary vs. Secondary Resources | No |
| Scholarly vs. Popular Materials | Yes |
| Peer Review | No |
| Evaluating Sources | Yes |
| Locating Materials | Yes |
| Organization of Library Materials | Yes |
| LC Call Number System | No |
| Citing Sources | Yes |
| Plagiarism | No |
| Reference Resources | Yes |
| How to get Reference Help | Yes |
| Web Searching | |
| Understanding the Internet/Web (what it does and doesn't do) | Yes |
| Search Engines vs. Subject Directories | Yes |
| Evaluating Internet Resources | Yes |
| Web search operators (+/-) | No |
| Web vs. other resources (content) | Yes |
| Look | |
| Wordy vs. Terse | Terse, amplified with colored text. |
| Use of Graphics | Yes, minimal: quick loading |
| Interactivity | |
| Passive vs. Active User | Passive for the most part |
| Ongoing Testing/Quiz | Yes - practice quiz and final quiz |
| Navigation | |
| Clear vs. Confusing | Extremely clear and easy to follow. |
| Technology | |
| Minimum Browser Requirements | Yes |
| Sound Card | No |
| Java | No |
| Shockwave | No |
| Assessment | |
| Pre-test | No |
| Post-test | Yes |
| Users Registered | Yes |
| Feedback | |
| Ongoing vs. At the end | Yes - after each module and at the end. |
| Printable Certificate | Unknown |
| Credits | |
| In-house vs. licensed code | Unknown |