What is the Instruction Commons?
ISU Courses: The Instruction Commons is a
collaborative web-based library
instruction program. Class
instructors and subject-specialist
librarians collaborate together to
compile library research tools and
other information sources that are
relevant to specific class
assignments and learning objectives,
and to make these resources easily
accessible to students through the
Commons website, along with other
class materials. The
Commons Courses page lists all
collaborating classes for the
current semester.
Teaching: Class instructors often arrange for their subject librarian to teach students about these resources, by coming in to the class for one or two sessions.
Class sessions with your
subject-specialist librarian can
also be arranged to take place
in the Library. Contact
your librarian to find out
more.
Learning: The
Instruction Commons also includes
general information
literacy guides and online learning
materials that will be useful to
faculty and students across campus,
regardless of whether their specific
class is collaborating with the
Commons. These guides cover
topics such as getting started with
research, understanding different
search strategies, critically
evaluating information,
understanding academic integrity and
how to avoid plagiarism, and other
information literacy topics.
The
Commons Guides page provides
easy access to these materials.
How Can I Participate in the
Commons?
Faculty: If you are a
class instructor, contact your
subject librarian to find out
how the Commons can benefit your
students. Work with your
librarian to discover what the
Library has to offer, in terms of
the most relevant and current
resources to support your curriculum
and student learning objectives.
Students: If you are a student,
check to see if your course is
listed on the
Commons Courses page. If
it's not, you still may find
information and resources of
interest in related courses and in
the
Commons Guides page. You
can also contact your
subject librarian at any time to
ask questions.
