This fall the UC Merced Library is offering an updated independent iPod Touch Library Tour to introduce Writing 1 and Writing 10 students to the library.

Library staff initiated this project in fall 2009 with support from the Center for Research and Teaching Excellence (CRTE) .

The tour will be available for for checkout on iPod Touch devices at the 2nd floor Library Services Desk.  Fifteen iPods are available.  Students will also have the option of downloading the tour to their own iPod device. 

For fall 2010, the tour has been updated to reflect current services, space, and resources.  In addition, the section on finding information is substantially changed to be engaging and scenario based.

In fall 2009 over 74% of Writing 1 sections and over 56% of Writing 1 students completed the iPod Touch Library Tour.  In fall 2010, we wish to expand the participation level of both Writing 1 and Writing 10 sections to achieve the following outcome:

Why the Tour?

Librarians have pursued library instruction via a tour on the iPod Touch for incoming Writing students since

• the content at this level is well-suited for this form of delivery which takes advantage of showing students the library first-hand.
• it is an engaging and active form of instruction in a user-friendly format that appeals to multiple learning styles.
• it clearly distinguishes an introductory form of library instruction from future library research instruction sessions.
• it provides a common, consistent message for incoming fresmen which is a scaffold for future library research instruction.
• it is a scalable instruction format for a growing student body which allows the librarians to shift instruction preparation to a less busy time of the academic year.

Components:

Students

• Students will receive iPod Touch Boot Camp Training (if needed) either in Writing class OR independently via a short online tutorial.
• Students visit the Library and check-out an iPod touch to complete the tour independently OR students download the iPod touch Library tour to their own iPod device.
• Students complete and submit the follow-up assignment for class credit. Results will be emailed to Writing faculty.

Writing Faculty

• Writing faculty include the iPod Touch Tour and related assignment as a course requirement.
• Writing faculty submit an online participation form to indicate that their section(s) will participate.  In-person iPod Touch Boot Camp Training is needed, it can be requested via the form. *The Writing Program has suggested weeks for Writing 1 and Writing 10 participation by section.  This schedule is listed below.
• Assign students a due date for complete of the iPod Touch Tour and related assignment.

Librarians

• As needed, librarians will conduct a 15 min. iPod Touch Boot Camp session to introduce students to using the iPod Touch, if needed, in a Writing class.  An alternative will be to direct students to the iPod Touch Boot Camp tutorial online.
• Library staff will review assignment submissions and respond to each student via email.
• Librarians will notify Writing faculty of the assignment scores for their students.

Assessment:

Assessment data will be gathered in three main ways:

• grading of iPod Touch Library Tour assignments
• suvey to students in conjunction with end-of-class Writing evaluations
• survey to participating Writing faculty

A 2009-2010 report to the CRTE detailing the iPod Touch Library Tour project findings is available.

Suggested Dates for Writing Section Participation:

• WRI 1 / 10: Sections 1-6 = Week 2
• WRI 1 / 10: Sections 7-12 = Week 3 
• WRI 1 /10: Sections 13-18 = Week 4
• WRI 1 / 10: Sections 19-24 = Week 5
• WRI 1: Sections 25-37+ = Week 6