Category Archives: eResources

Educational Resources – What is available to you?

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What is a resource? It’s more than you may initially think, and there are many different resources available to you here at Edge Hill University. It is something that can help aid you in doing a specific job, writing an assignment or your dissertation.

The resources available to you throughout Catalyst are more than you may initially think. So, let’s take a look…

The Printing Hub

The printing hub is the place for all of your printing needs. The printing hubs are located within the “landmarks” which are the black circular structures on each floor of the Catalyst building. Every student at the start of each academic year is issued with printing credit. Black and White printing is 2p/sheet and colour is 5p/sheet. Once your printing credit has ran out you may top it up via cash or card at the Catalyst help desk located which is located on the ground floor.

Stationary and Binders

Also, you may not know but located within each Printing Hub are stationary tools such as; a hole puncher, staplers, cello tape and paper binders. These are all completely free to use, all we ask is that once you have finished that you please return them to the Printing Hub for the use of other students.

Newspapers

Newspapers are a great resource especially when writing assignments. There are range of newspapers covering a variety of topics and stories. These are free to use, read and reference however we do ask that you do not remove these from Catalyst as they are on a “No-Loan” policy as they are fragile and irreplaceable. These are located on the 2nd floor of Catalyst by the spiral staircase.

Magazines

Magazines are the perfect resource when writing assignments and dissertations. They also cover a range of topics and academic areas. Again, they are completely free to use, however the University pay a lot of money for these publications and they are on a “No-Loan” policy. These can be found on the 2nd floor of Catalyst by the spiral staircase.

 

 

Journals

Journals are a fabulous resource when writing assignments and dissertations. They are reliable academic resources, and really help boost your assignment grades with accurate academic resources. These can be located on the 2nd floor of the Catalyst by the spiral staircase, opposite the Magazine and Newspaper section.

Teaching Resources and Books

These are the perfect resources for students who are studying education related degrees. These resources are perfect for when students go out on placement and have to take classes and teach. There are boxes of classroom activities and fictional books such as Harry Potter. So, whether you are teaching or want to read one of the many fictional books, they are available to loan. They can be found on the 1st floor by the bottom of the spiral staircase.

DVDs and CDs
Finally, there are hundreds of DVD’s and CD’s available to students and staff too. They are also available for loan! They are the perfect resource for media or film students however if you fancy a movie night or want to be “old school” and listen to a CD because you’ve ran out of your free month from Netflix and Spotify then these are amazing. They are free to take out and are located on the 2nd floor of Catalyst by the toilets. From Disney classics to Horror there is something for everybody.

So, next time you are struggling to form an assignment or perhaps are having trouble finding reliable academic resources visit the Catalyst building and check out one of our many books or view one of the available journal or newspaper articles. Or why not borrow one of the many CDs or DVDs, whether it’s for academic use or personal use and you just fancy a movie night with your flat mates, feel free to check them out. There are also many other hidden resources within Catalyst like the Archive Room on the ground floor and you can borrow webcams for video interviews etc. These can be borrowed from Catalyst help desk.

So if there is something you might need then pop down to Catalyst, because you never know we might just have it.

Written by: SHELBY LUND

2nd Year International Business Student

Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services

Meet our Student Advisors

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This year we welcome five new Student Advisors to our team: Dylan, Claire, Shelby, Rachel and Jade.

The Student Advisors are based in Catalyst and they are here to support you. The role of a Student Advisor is to provide help, support and guidance to other students on a peer to peer basis. The team are all current second, third year or Masters students and between them they bring a great variety of subject knowledge and experience, using all of that to support other students on their own University journey.

The support they provide revolves around getting the most out of your Library. They can help with searching the Library Catalogue for books and eBooks, using Discover More to find online journal articles, navigating Learning Edge, Harvard referencing and finding and accessing UniSkills academic support. They can also help you to develop a range of introductory academic skills and can introduce you to more specialised support where necessary.

Find out more about our Student Advsiors below and what they can help you with.

Name:

Dylan

Course:

3rd Year Creative Writing

Dream Job:

Poet

What do you do as a Student Advisor?

As a Student Advisor I support students in numerous ways. Students can book onto a 1-1 appointment with me to help find electronic and physical resources, with referencing, Discover More and with any general enquiries they have about the VLE. In the Catalyst we are available to help students with any enquiries they may have about printing, study spaces or general information about the Catalyst itself. If you see us, don’t hesitate to approach!

Name:

Claire

Course:

MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing

Dream Job:

Teaching / Supporting students with mental health difficulties

What do you do as a Student Advisor?

I work in Catalyst supporting students in accessing the resources they need, either by helping them search Discover More or the Library Catalogue. We also offer 1 to 1 appointments where we can support with assignment planning, note taking and referencing. I am always happy to share my experiences and coping strategies with other students.

Name:

Shelby

Course:

BSc (Hons) International Business

Dream Job:

Educational Development at Microsoft or Apple

What do you do as a Student Advisor?

As a Student Advisor I am based in the new Catalyst building which is made up of the Library and Learning Services. My role is to support students. I can help and assist students with several things such as:

  • Helping student access the online library catalogue (Discover More)
  • Help students find learning materials E.g. Books, eBooks, CDs, DVDs, Teaching Resources.
  • How students can access a free television service called Box of Broadcasts and a free online course site called Learning with Lynda.
  • Helping student access and use the online Learning Edge.
  • Hosting 1-2-1 sessions on things like Harvard Referencing, Microsoft Office Basics, Learning Edge and many more.

There are many roles we under go as Student Advisors, but most of all we are here to share our knowledge and first hand experience as students ourselves. I personally enjoy my job and being able to help others in any way I can.

Name:

Rachel

Course:

3rd Year Early Childhood Studies

Dream Job:

CEO of a nursery chain

What do you do as a Student Advisor?

My role is to support students in making the most of all the learning services available to them in Catalyst and online. I help students find books, improve their referencing and navigate online resources through ‘Getting Started’ workshops as well as much more. I really enjoy offering students peer to peer support and helping them thrive!

Name:

Jade

Course:

3rd Year Nutrition and Health

Dream Job:

Within the Food Industry – Sourcing Food Ingredients

What do you do as a Student Advisor?

I work in the new Catalyst building for Learning Services, to assist students with all things to do with the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). I can help students with Harvard referencing or searching for journal articles on Discover More.

My job as a Student Advisor also involves:

  • Delivering peer to peer support to other students
  • Helping to locate physical and virtual resources within the library
  • Providing individual help with Harvard Referencing

The best part of my job is helping to make students feel welcome in an unfamiliar environment. I can point you in the right direction of all the services in Catalyst, just ask!

Introducing our Student Advisors

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We would like to give a warm welcome to our new team of Student Advisors: Dylan, Claire, Shelby, Rachel and Jade!

The Student Advisors are based in Catalyst and they are here to support you. The role of a Student Advisor is to provide help, support and guidance to other students on a peer to peer basis. The team are all current second, third year or Masters students and between them they bring a great variety of subject knowledge from their individual disciplines together with a wealth of experience from studying at Edge Hill, using all of that to support other students on their own University journey.

The support they provide revolves around getting the most out of your Library, locating and using physical and virtual resources for your studies. They can help you to develop a range of introductory academic skills and can introduce you to more specialised support where necessary.

They can help with:

  • Searching the Library Catalogue for books and eBooks
  • Using Discover More to find online journal articles and other online resources
  • Navigating Learning Edge and your subject specific ‘My Library’ Tab
  • Harvard referencing
  • Finding and accessing UniSkills academic support material
  • Turnitin assistance
  • Locating books

Catalyst Tours

Catalyst tours are taking place weekdays from Monday 17th September to Friday 28th September. Tours start at 10am and are taking place every half an hour, with the last tour meeting at 3:30pm.

The tours are being led by our current Student Advisors’ who will show you around Catalyst, giving you the opportunity to see all of the fabulous facilities, learning spaces and student support available!

For more information click here.

Getting Started

Getting started sessions are peer to peer support sessions with our team of Student Advisors. Get started with your key resources, including: how to log in to Learning Edge, your My Library tab, Readings Lists Online, Library Catalogue, Discover More, accessing UniSkills support and much more.

Getting Started sessions will take place:

Monday 1st October to Friday 5th October 12pm-2pm

Monday 8th October to Friday 12th October 12pm-2pm

Drop in sessions will take place in Willow Training Room, 1st floor Catalyst. There is no need to book so just drop in and speak to one of our knowledgeable Student Advisors for peer to peer support and guidance on how to get started with your key resources.

Drop in sessions will take place at the following times:

12:00pm – 12:30pm

12:30pm – 1:00pm

1:00pm – 1:30pm

1:30pm – 2:00pm

For more information click here.

Book an appointment with a Student Advisor

During term-time you can book a 15 minute appointment with a Student Advisor, between 11am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Get help with:

  • Searching the Library Catalogue for books and eBooks
  • Understanding the Dewey decimal system of shelving (shelf mark) and how to find books on the shelf after you’ve searched
  • Using Discover More to find online journal articles and other online resources
  • Navigating Learning Edge/Blackboard and your subject specific ‘My Library’ Tab
  • Finding and using the Harvard referencing guide
  • Finding and accessing UniSkills academic support material online

Book an appointment with a Student Advisor here.

 

 

Hello to the new library catalogue

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We launched our catalogue on Monday 1st June after a period of almost 12 months planning and testing.

The new catalogue is just part of a suite of changes you will see over the coming months but if you have any questions or you can’t find what you need in the catalogue or our tool ‘Discover More‘ please tell us so we can help you.

Please take a look at the Ask us service for help, support and ways to get in touch.

We hope you like the many new features of the catalogue, here’s some information about what’s new:

  • A powerful search tool for all print and electronic resources resulting in more resources at your fingertips
  • Seamless access to your library account from within the VLE so no need to leave the Blackboard environment to view your checked out items
  • Fairer fines for all and an automatic book renewal service – the library will renew items for you so you can get on with other things, fines will only be charged on items reserved by other borrowers

For more information about the changes or your resources in Blackboard, please contact your subject librarian.

Rachel Bury

Academic Liaison Manager Quality, Marketing and Communication

 

 

Term 1: brought to you by Learning Services

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It’s hard to believe that we are already at the start of the second term, where does the time go?

We are in a thoughtful and reflective mood this week, so join us in looking back at the highlights from the first term…

We have continued to expand and improve access to resources.  We know that you love your text books and in term 1 we purchased a massive 7,000 new books for library stock.

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Access to electronic resources is also important to you and our electronic resource collection currently stands at over 300,000 items!

As well as improving access to resources, in the first term we made the unprecedented step of opening the University library for 24 hours a day – that’s a massive and uninterrupted 120 hours of study time.  Continuing with the 24/7 theme we also launched our 24/7 live chat service.  You can (and you have!) asked questions into the early hours.

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You told us that you would like to be able to access resources direct from Blackboard and your wish is our command! The new subject resources tabs in Blackboard now mean that library resources are just a click away.

The above enhancements should have improved access to services and resources for everyone, but we have also developed a number of more personalised services.

We know that sometimes we just don’t have the exact book that you need, but with our Add a Book service just tell us what you want and we buy it! 239 of you did just that in the first term alone.

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It has also been encouraging to see that many of you have received 1-2-1 bespoke support from a study skills or SpLD advisor.  681 of you attended an SpLD 1-2-1 support session and 502 of you attended a 1-2-1 study skills session in the first term.  These sessions are person centered and designed to support you with your own specific learning needs.  Even more encouraging is the incredible feedback we receive about these sessions, with over 91% of students reporting that our 1-2-1 support is effective and has enabled them to move on with their studies.

There’s lots to look forward to this term too!  So watch this space…

And finally, we do genuinely love to hear your feedback so don’t be shy – get in touch.

Helen Jamieson, Customer Services Manager

Helen_Jamieson

Do you need to discover more?

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It has come to that time of year when you will be researching for assignments or exams. One of Learning Services’ key resources to support you with your research is Discover More.

We have recently upgraded the tool and there are lots of new features which we hope will help you as you search for information – whether that be books or journals.

Some of the new features of the tool include:

  • Refining your results to books in the library and library location ( you can quickly see books on the subject and which library holds them)
  • Database recommendations – you can see at the top of your results page which database Discover More has found the most results in
  • You get a quick view of the item – hover over the title and check out the panel on the right
  • You can refine by discipline – this is really easy to use and will help you focus more; it also provides you with details of how many results there are so you can see if this is area to focus on

There is short guide which takes you through the basics of searching, refining and then saving and exporting your results.  Take a look at the guide or come and see a member of staff at one of our help desks.  Your subject librarian is also a good contact to have!  Take a look at the Learning Services webpage for your subject, there are full contact details of your librarian.  Your subject resources tab in Learning Edge is also a great starting point – your main databases and journal collections are recommended and also quick links into   the library catalogue and Discover More

ehu.ac.uk/askus

Rachel Bury

Learning Services

Academic Liaison Manager – Quality, Marketing and Communication

Don’t leave your seat!

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Routemaster2

Are you getting ready to start your dissertation?

Here’s an opportunity to learn some new information searching skills at a time and a place that suits you.

Not finding the results you require when searching online, on the library catalogue or journal databases?

Grab a cuppa and find yourself a nice comfy chair and watch this online session to gain some new skills which will improve your search strategy. You can even watch and listen while travelling on the bus or train to and from university.

The session is called “Finding information for your dissertation” session and ran online using Blackboard Collaborate, on 19 February 2014.

Finding information for your dissertation – next live webinar:

If you would like to attend the next live webinar, view the calendar which details all the sessions coming up in Routemaster – Steps to Success – Semester 2. Click on a date to make a booking. You can book any session up to 2 weeks in advance.

We will look at why information skills are important, systematic planning for conducting a search and managing the search process and results. This will be demonstrated via application sharing and web tours.

Do you have feedback or suggestions about delivering skills in this way?

Are there any other sessions you would like to see delivered as an online webinar?

Helen Miller  Helen Miller

 

#EHUGetConnected Taking Your Devices to the Next Level!

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The new smartphones to buy in 2013

After the success of all the previous #EHUGetConnected events held in 2013, we are happy to announce more upcoming dates across different venues and locations for the coming weeks ahead:

  • 11am – 2pm Friday, 31st January 2014 (HUB, Ormskirk Campus)
  • 9am – 1pm Tuesday, 4th February 2014 (FOHSC Foyer, Ormskirk Campus)
  • 9am – 1pm Wednesday, 5th February 2014 (FOHSC CPD, Aintree Campus)

If you’ve never come along to one previously then you are in for treat! #EHUGetConnected gives you the chance to speak to our team of knowledgeable staff to help get the best out of your technology and the learning resources at your disposal.  Every year there are new and exciting upgrades to our systems, pushing the boundaries of online learning and communication.  In 2014 we will again be promoting and showcasing our favorite selection of mobile apps, campus WiFi connectivity and our learning resource ‘hall of fame’. This time we will be featuring the new Community Engagement upgrade within Learning Edge and show you how it can enhance your online learning practice.

Here are just a few examples of questions we can help you with:

General ‘How can I…?’

  • connect to WiFi on campus?
  • find a PC to use?
  • book a study room?
  • forward my Edge Hill emails to a personal account?

On my mobile (eReader/laptop/phone/tablet) ‘how can I…?’

  • sync my emails?
  • easily log into Learning Edge?
  • get the course notifications I want?
  • access my lecture notes?
  • search the library catalogue?
  • download journal articles and eBooks?
  • annotate journal articles or lecture notes?
  • save shortcuts to the library and my subject pages?
  • watch videos or listen to podcasts?
  • find useful apps?

In the library ‘how can I…?’

  • search for resources?
  • find online journals and articles?
  • access my reading list?
  • reserve a book?
  • build a reference using the Discover More ‘cite’ tool?
  • save a link to an eResource so I can go straight back to it later?
  • work out which databases are right for my subject?

In Learning Edge ‘how can I…?’

  • change the way my course list is displayed?
  • subscribe to discussion forums/threads so I know when a post has been made?
  • set up my own online blogs/discussion forums/podcasts/social or study groups?
  • find my grades and feedback?

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Events taking place in the Faculty of Health and Social Care are tied in with the Faculty enrollment and induction day for the newest cohorts, but all current students and staff are welcome to come and ask any burning questions you may have about your devices, gadgets or gizmos.  If you’re not at any of the campus locations on the day to speak to us in person, we have got that covered too!  You can contact us during the event (and beyond) via our social media channels using the #EHUGetConnected hash-tag:

FB  https://www.facebook.com/EHULearnService

twitter  https://twitter.com/EHULearnService or https://twitter.com/LTDatEHU

We would be delighted to talk to you about technology; let us demystify some of the things you’ve heard about but don’t know how to use, and let us help you get started using technologies maybe you haven’t even heard of yet!

See you there!

wordpresspenpicMark Wilcock
Learning Technology Development Officer

One Click, Every Trip!

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Over the past few months, Learning Services and IT Services have been collaboratively working hard in launching a great new look for Learning Edge.

We’ve been listening to our students about what you are looking for to make Learning Edge better than ever before and so today you will see some of these changes take effect!

Firstly, we have one Click access to Learning Edge!  From the Go Portal you will be taken straight to your Learning Edge Homepage (Now called ‘Home’) where you can access your modules.  You will also notice at this point a bright, new, colourful Learning Edge Homepage with lots of great resources and helpful links to make your experience the best ever yet!

goportalThe areas have been organised into new tabs to help you get straight to the bits you need when you need them whilst the Go Portal links will follow you so you can get straight to your student email without having to return back to Go.

Rather than you having to leave Blackboard to find help, we’re now bringing it to you in a suitably organised way, gathering our Twitter feeds, YouTube videos, Ask Us service and System Status information right to wherever you choose to study.

Keep an eye out for particularly useful tools: Ask Us help service, Discover More library search and PC Availability amongst many others!

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We are welcoming any feedback that our users have about the new look and features and would love to know what you would like to see in future developements.  This is just the very first step in what we can bring to you through Learning Edge – there is still a lot more to come! Get in touch via the comments box below or email LTDsupport@edgehill.ac.uk

Learning Technology Development Team
Learning Services

Learning Services at Christmas

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We are aware the January exam period is looming, as is the start of a busy time for those undertaking dissertations, so the next few weeks may be the only time you may have to get some extra work done.  Learning Services will be here for you if you need some quiet study time.

Our additional opening hours at Christmas are always well used and this year we are pleased be able to offer more vacation opening than ever before.

The University Library will be open for 3 days during the Christmas vacation.

As well as being open Monday 23rd December, 9am – 5pm, we are open Christmas Eve, 9am – 3pm, Monday 30th December, 9am – 5pm, and New Years Eve, 9am – 3pm. You can come in and see us, find resources, get some help, use a PC, bring your books back and take out some more! As the Library is now home to the media equipment, media students are also able to access kit during the Christmas vacation, for the first time.

Our online help tool – Ask Us – is available 24/7 throughout the Christmas period for you to check our bank of answers, get in touch via email or text and, during our opening hours, use live web chat to get the help you need. Our telephone helpline is available during opening hours on 01695 584286

24/7 access to PCs in the LINC building will operate throughout the holiday period if you need a PC.

Of course you don’t have to visit us in the library, you can use us online. All our eResources will be available via our website and library catalogue so why not give them a visit. You can access 24/7:

  • 97,000+ eBooks
  • 40,000+ eJournals
  • specialist subject web pages to sign post you to the right resources for your subject

For more details about our opening hours please check the website

Merry Christmas, Learning Services