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18 Working with the UW Libraries

The UW Libraries helps students deepen their learning around research, inquiry, and the critical use of information.

Through our teaching services, we empower UW instructors to incorporate library resources and critical thinking skills strategically into their courses and in alignment with the core elements of effective teaching.

Core Libraries Services for UW Instructors include:

  • Online Tutorials & Research Modules
  • Research Skills Guides
  • Class Instruction & Consultation
  • Course Materials Support

Key Libraries Contacts for PWR

Kathleen Collins
Head of Curriculum Support
collinsk@uw.edu

Kat Wyly
Curriculum Support Librarian
kwyly@uw.edu

Elliott Stevens
English Studies & Research Commons Librarian
res22@uw.edu

Jack Wolfram
Libraries Peer Research Consultant & PWR Instructor
jwolfra@uw.edu

Asynchronous Teaching Resources

Online Tutorials & Instructional Videos

Ready-to-go tutorials created by the Libraries provide instructors with flexible options for developing students’ research skills as part of course expectations or broad assignment preparation.

  • Undergraduate Researcher Tutorial is an online tutorial that introduces undergraduate students to research skills across fields and disciplines. Self-paced modules are designed to empower students to be leaders and co-creators of their own learning experiences.
  • Intro to Research Series Videos are short instructional videos that cover beginning research skills.

Research Skills Guides

Librarian-maintained research guides can be incorporated into course content to enhance students’ learning about core research skills and focused areas of research.

In-Class Workshops

Student research consultants will visit your PWR classroom to lead your students through one of several different hands-on workshops, each designed to support a specific aspect of text-based research.  The basic lesson plans, slides, and activities for each of these workshops live on Google Drive and are available for you to view, copy, or use with your UW NetID-linked Google account.

Request Parameters:

  • Submit requests for in-class workshops via the online form
  • All workshops are about 50 minutes long
  • For sustainability, instructors may schedule only one workshop per class section per quarter. Those seeking multiple class sessions from the Libraries in the same quarter may be asked to schedule a consultation to discuss alternative options.
  • Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance to support scheduling and planning.
  • Requests for specific dates or consultants are not guaranteed.
  • Instructors seeking support with less than 2 weeks’ notice are advised to consider the research skills guides or ready-to-go online tutorials & research modules listed above instead.

Workshop Topics:

  • Introducing the UW Libraries – A basic orientation to Libraries services and resources important to undergraduate students
  • Introducing Database Searching: The UW Libraries Search Bar – Key instructions and tips for effective search navigation, advanced searches, editing results’ scope, and using filters. Our most-requested workshop!
  • Introducing Database Searching: “Search & Destroy” – A multimodal card game (devices also needed) puts students in casual competition to hone key search skills. A student favorite!
  • Recognizing Research Questions – Students learn to recognize clear, specific, relevant, open-ended, and manageable research questions.
  • Developing Keywords & Search Statements – Working with research topics identified in advance, students learn to craft lists of varied search terms and construct queries for their topics.
  • Defining Scholarly Articles – Students work with a selection of provided articles to develop a hands-on definition of scholarly vs popular sources.
  • Evaluating Sources with SIFT – Students apply the 4-step SIFT method of source evaluation through a walkthrough and practice session.
  • Playing with Credibility: “Trust Issues” – A light-hearted card game that hones contextual awareness while asking students to apply source evaluation criteria and context to defend citational choices. No devices needed!

Instructor Consultations

In addition to class instruction, the Libraries offers consultations to UW instructors seeking individualized help with:

  • Designing effective research assignments
  • Introducing students to key research concepts or library tools
  • Selecting free and licensed course materials

PWR instructor consultations may be scheduled via the booking page.

You can also encourage your students to make appointments with our student research consultants for guidance with defining research questions, exploring background info, narrowing or broadening topics, and identifying useful sources.

Additional Resources

Multimodal Support

A variety of facilities and software can support your students’ multimodal composition projects:

  • Reservable recording studios are located at Odegaard Library and the Open Scholarship Commons in Suzzallo Library
  • Media production computers in the Odegaard Learning Commons carry the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite in addition to the default software found other machines in the 2nd-floor lab
  • UW Learning Technologies offers support for core UW teaching tools (Canvas, Panopto, Poll Everywhere, and Zoom) as well as on-demand tutorial videos for software, including Photoshop, Audacity, and iMovie

Preparing Your Course Materials

The Libraries helps instructors build courses around free and licensed materials through access to our extensive collections and affordability focused services.

License

2025-26 PWR Instructor Sourcebook Copyright © by kersch. All Rights Reserved.

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