Blog Reflection 5

Library 3 isn’t my online classes. Usually I have several online classes every semester. I’ve had the same amount of student interaction that I do with every online class. My preference is for online class because physical attendance is not required. If I’m up at 2 a.m. I can do my homework and turn in it without having to wait for class to start.

Online classes require a great deal of time management skills. To take an online class, a student needs to use those skills or risk failing.

Online learning is definitely appropriate for library research courses. Before I started taking these types of classes, I didn’t really know about databases like ProQuest, Bartleby.com, and others. Requiring students to use these sources and also know the differences between them helps to make the student better, no matter what subject they’re majoring in.

If my schedule allowed it, I’ll be open to come to a face-to-face workshop if one was offered for the course. I think that would really help answer any questions students have about assignments.

Blog Reflection 4

Information competency is:

• the ability to analyze and evaluate information.
• a critical thinking skill
• important in a society that relies so heavily on the Internet for information
• having the knowledge needed to be able to successfully look for and find information through databases, web searches, and other sources
• the ability to know which sources are best for certain information
• a skill that is critical for not just students to learn but everyone

Blog Reflection3

My opinion of the research process hasn’t changed a lot since the start of class. I’ve had several classes that assigned similar assignments to get students to more familiar to what LBCC’s library system offers.

My opinion changed a little because  of this week’s exercise on the various databases that LBCC library offers. I’ve always been a fan of CQ Researcher but I had no idea that SIRS Researcher was just as good. It was really helpful in finding information about the topic I chose for this week’s assignment, poverty.  I was reallyimpressed and will be using it when it comes to my research needs.

The research process is becoming easier with time since many of my classes require research of some sort. So using the many things I’ve learned from various classes have helped me.

A few things that could help in future research projects:

1. Primary sources is a firsthand account of an event. Newspapers, research reports, surveys, diaries, works of art, and the like are examples of primary sources.

2. Secondary sources are sources that restate a firsthand account of an event. That would be articles, textbooks, encyclopedia, and others.

3. Tertiary sources are sources that index primary and secondary sources. Think of bibliographies, textbooks, and others.

3. Understand what kind of source you need for the information you want.