Faculty Resources - Student Engagement and Critical Thinking Skills: Home

Students spend a lot of their time searching online for information. However, many students have limited research experience. Project Information Literacy conducted a national survey about college students’ research habits:

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Here are some ideas that will help make a research assignment also a successful learning experience:

• Schedule a course-integrated library instruction session.
• Consult with a librarian before making the assignment.
• Put your librarian liaison's name on your syllabus. Contact the library to find out who they are.
• Design your assignment so that students will learn or reinforce skills they can use in the future.
• Important: Complete the assignment yourself before you assign it to your students.
• Make sure the library has the resources your class needs.
• Require students to find, evaluate, and use information in a meaningful and relevant way.
• Divide the assignment into segments to help students stay on track.
• Avoid scavenger hunts. Hunting for obscure facts does not support learning research methods.
• Focus on content rather than format. Online sources may be more appropriate than print sources.
• Avoid the “mob scene.” If many students will have to use the same print materials, put them on reserve.
• Explain the assignment clearly to the students, preferably in writing.
• Define research terms such as “scholarly” or “peer reviewed.”
• Provide students with examples of good assignments and highlight appropriate elements.
• Give students enough time to complete the assignment successfully. Remind students that even under the best circumstances, good research takes time.
• Encourage students to ask for help.
• Encourage students to be critical of all types of sources and evaluate the information they find.

Remote Access Instructions

Off campus access to databases is available for all current students, faculty, and staff. 
Follow the steps below for access.

Log on to our website at lib.MIDLANDSTECH.EDU

When prompted, enter your MyMTC username and MyMTC password.

Please call 803-738-7629 if you need password help.