ClinicalKey Student is a leading clinical-based resource that contains 106 nursing, 30 midwifery, and 310 medical titles as well as images and videos for many specialties providing trusted resources for students and their faculty.
You will need to create an account to use Clinical Key Student and its personalisation features, and there is even a handy video guide to help you get started. ClinicalKey is divided into following three collections:
Continue readingJisc and UK Universities have concluded negotiations with Elsevier to agree a three-year read and publish agreement that will provide UK researchers with unlimited open access publishing across Elsevier hybrid journal titles, as well as significantly reducing total sector spend. Added to the sector’s existing read and publish agreements, this deal means that 80% of UK research can now be made open access without incurring any cost to authors.
The deal is the world’s largest open access agreement with Elsevier and is likely to affect the UK scholarly communications landscape significantly as well as set the tone for future negotiations with publishers for read and publish agreements. Further information on the new agreement can be found in this update from Jisc.
Library and Learning Services have signed up to the new agreement and we will be sharing information on how Edge Hill researchers can access the publishing benefits shortly. Questions about the new agreement can be directed to Anna Franca – [email protected]
This post concludes a series of earlier updates on the negotiation which can be found here: https://blogs.edgehill.ac.uk/ls/2021/10/18/elsevier-sciencedirect-negotiations/
Over the past two years Library and Learning Services have developed a new Collection Development Policy and invested in resources to assist our digital-first approach.
This approach supported the pivot to online delivery in March 2020, where we aimed to provide as much online content as we possibly could. At the time we were supported by publishers and provided with some new and innovative ways of providing access to resources. Unfortunately, much of the publishers free access to eTextbooks and eResources was temporary, and removed when students returned to campus in the same year.
Our data tells us that as students returned to site there continued to be high demand for online access.
UK Universities are coming to the end of 5-year agreement with Elsevier which provides Edge Hill staff and students with access to more than 1,800 journals on the Elsevier ScienceDirect platform. Edge Hill are part of a UK-wide consortium that is working in partnership with Jisc to negotiate a new deal for 2022 and beyond after the current agreement expires on 31 December 2021. The negotiations are aiming to secure a transformative journal agreement, otherwise known as a ‘Read and publish’ (R&P) deal that seeks to constrain costs and ensure full and immediate open access to UK research published by Elsevier.
Continue readingOver the summer we launched our brand new library management system: Discover More. Your new single search tool for all your print and electronic resources at Edge Hill University.
We know this will be a new experience for anyone joining Edge Hill this year, but if you’re a returning student it’s likely you’ll also notice some small changes. But rest assure these changes have brought about some great benefits!
You can now search for all your resources, be that books, eBooks or academic journals, in one handy location. With improved discoverability of your Library resources Discover More will ensure you’re able to access everything you need for your studies!
Back in October, Claire introduced us to BoB or Box of Broadcasts, a really cool online service free to Edge Hill staff and students, with thousands of TV shows and films that have been broadcast on TV between last night and the 1990’s!
As you may have heard, Christmas is around the corner and everyone’s curling up on the sofa to watch some heart-felt winter warmers. There’s hundreds of lists of the ‘best’ Christmas films online, and like me, I know you’ll already have your favourites in mind (I can’t get enough of Jude Law in ‘The Holiday’!).
But, what about the Christmas Specials? All those classic episodes of your favourite shows with a seasonal touch of magic. Can you still remember the Doctor Who episode where they put a sci-fi twist on A Christmas Carol? Or who won the Great British Bake Off Christmas special last year? Well fortunately, there’s no need to panic, because I’ve popped 24 Christmas Special episodes from 24 different shows in a ‘Lead up to Christmas’ playlist!
Head over to BoB with the link below and watch these specials as if they’re little advent chocolates, keeping you in the festive spirit right up until Christmas!
https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/playlists/187684
Don’t forget that term ends on December 14th, so make sure to book in any Student Advisor appointments before that date if you need support. We offer 15-minute appointments with a Student Advisor, during term time between 11am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Book your appointment here.
Check out the opening hours of Catalyst here.
And most importantly, have a very Merry Christmas on behalf of myself and the Learning Services team!
Written by: RACHEL ARLAND
3rd Year Early Year Childhood Studies Student
Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services
Keep Calm and Submit Week (3rd-7th December 2018) will host an array of activities, workshops and resources to encourage students to keep calm during the assignment and exam period.☃️
ActivitiesWe have a range of fun and enjoyable activities for students to get involved with in Catalyst including a book display, colouring activities, Christmas card quotes and time management and revision handouts. Our book display will feature titles that will help you with all things academic, including writing assignments, organising your time and boosting your confidence. There will also be a Christmas-themed display with a Christmas tree🎄, crackers and cards printed with inspirational quotes, tips and information about the week to come. There will also be useful handouts for students to take away such as time management tips, revision tips and revision timetables accommodated for the Christmas period. So, make sure to come to the ground floor of Catalyst to check out what is available.
This week aims to boost the confidence of students and ease their minds about any worries they might have about submitting their assignments or preparing for exams. In order to support students during this period we will be hosting a range of workshops led by our Student Advisors.
Turnitin *EXPRESS* Sessions
These Turnitin sessions, led by our Student Advisors, will give advice to students about submitting their assignments.This Turnitin *EXPRESS* session will give advice to students about submitting their assignments and tips on how to stay calm and submit with confidence.This session will cover what Turnitin is, how to submit an assignment, and provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and gain support with their submission.
The sessions will run as follows:
Book your place here.
If you would like more support using Turnitin outside of these sessions, why not book a 15 minute appointment with a Student Advisor?
We will also be hosting a range of other workshops led by our team of Student Advisors. Take a look below at the exciting and informative workshops we have to offer.
Monday 3rd December:
Revision Tips and Techniques (Oak Training room 2pm-3pm)
With January exam season looming, this workshop will offer students advice on revising through the Christmas period. ‘Revision Tips and Techniques’ will be led by our Student Advisor Dylan. This workshop will not only visit the different forms of revision but will question how to make revision techniques useful and effective. The session will also cover approaches to revision and the do’s and don’ts when revising. Students will be encouraged to take part in several group activities where discussions will take place.
Wednesday 5th December:
Tips, Tricks and Christmas Hits (Oak Training room 2pm-3pm)
This workshop will offer students some useful tips and tricks when it comes to revising over the Christmas period and how to make the most of the Library Catalogue, Discover More and the UniSkills resources. ‘Tips, Tricks and Christmas Hits’ will be led by our Student Advisor Shelby. This session will allow students to come along with their exam or assignment timetables and make use of the revision tips and tricks that will be provided in a presentation and on worksheets and will allow them to use the information to create their own revision / assignment timetables, all whilst listening to Christmas hits and having fun. ❄️ 🎵
Friday 7th December:
Christmas Cards (Willow Training room 2pm-3pm)
To celebrate Keep Calm and Submit week this workshop will allow you to create and design a beautiful Christmas Card. This workshop will be led by our Student Advisor Jade. Come along to this workshop and get involved in some therapeutic card making, learning some useful tips on how to make cards for your family and friends. No artistic talent required, just come along and have fun.☃️
During Study Happy Week Learning Services asked students to write on a sticky note how they learn and what techniques they may use when studying or revising. There are three core types of learners these are visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. We discovered that there were many types of learners at Edge Hill University. Here are some of their Revision and Study Techniques.
Display It On A Wall
This means that by drawing a poster or putting information in plain sight on a wall you are able to take it in and study it, this is a key way to study if you are a visual learner.
Pictures & Diagrams
Revising by looking at pictures and diagrams helps you to break down and understand key information and concepts. You can do this by using pictures or diagrams online, drawing your own, or by copying out certain pictures and images from textbooks you may have used.
Drawing Memorable Cartoons
This is a quirky and fun way to be able to remember information. Some people are able to transfer written information into images and drawings and cartoons which allows them to be able to creatively take in information.
Visuals (Mind Maps, Diagrams & Flowcharts)
Many people use some form of visual aid when studying, whether it’s copying out pictures, making flowcharts or even making colourful posters which are all an easy and often fun way to revise, and you can often link this to the first method of studying which was displaying it on a wall.
Flashcards
We found that this was a very popular choice of study here at Edge Hill. Flash cards are perfect for copying down relevant and short pieces of information relevant to your topic. Also, you’re able to get them in several colours allowing you to categorise them easily.
Repetition
Repetition is also a very popular method of study, as it allows you to practise and understand information until you remember it clearly, this is often used in relation to the two point above flashcards and studying with friends. By writing out and rereading information it allows, you to eventually remember it and this can be very useful in exam situations.
Bullet Points
Bullet points are the perfect way to revise, you are able to grab core ideas, concepts and keywords from large passages of information and break it down into simple points via bullet points. Excellent if you find working with lots of information difficult and overwhelming.
Highlighting
At some point in a student’s academic lifetime they will have used a highlighter, and for some people they find this a useful way of pointing out key ideas and words in text. Using a highlighter enables you to visually see key points quickly and easily without having to reread bulks of information.
Read & Reread
Although some students may think this seems like a boring and tedious way of revising some people learn by reading information and then rereading that information until they understand it and remember it.
Reading Journals & Books
This can relate to the point above. Often reading information from a variety of books and journals can help you study and understand information clearer by reading information from several viewpoints. This enables you to be able to understand information clearly before entering an exam or explaining information in assignments.
Reading & Breakdown Notes
Following on from the two points located above is reading and breaking down information in order to study. Although some people study and revise well by reading excessive amounts of information, some people revise better by reading information and then making notes in order to break down that information and take it in better.
Lists
Often when making notes people like to revise them by putting information into lists of information or making to do lists when studying so you know what topics you may need to revise for.
Practise Papers for Exams
Another very common way to study especially if you are studying for exams is by practising past exam papers from previous years. So, this allows you to be able to understand the format and layout of exams so that you know what to expect. You can often find these online.
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a way of managing your time productively by studying in intervals, for example you would study for 30 minutes and then have a 15 minute break, maybe a drink and a snack and then you would return to studying for a further 30 minutes followed by another break. This help to stimulate focus and allows you to be more productive when studying, when you know you are being rewarded with a break. In the upcoming weeks Learning Services will be offering a “Shut Up and Work” workshop, it will be a 2-hour work shop where you can bring your own work and you will be following the Pomodoro technique. There will be refreshments available. You can book this online via the ‘My Library’ tab on Learning Edge.
Motivated by Snacks
Some students said that they were motivated by food. This again would link nicely into the Pomodoro technique. Perhaps boil the kettle and have some snacks ready for your break, take a short break and then return to work.
Drink Water To Help Focus
Some students suggest drinking lots of hydrating fluids before studying allowed them to be able to study harder for longer and enabled them to remain focused throughout revising.
So why not try a few of the techniques mentioned above and see if they could help you when it comes to studying and revising for upcoming exams and don’t forget you can always book onto one of our upcoming workshops.
Written by: SHELBY LUND
2nd Year International Business Student
Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services
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
How can you make the most of Catalyst and all it has to offer? Follow this step-by-step guide below to create the beginning of your very own Catalyst experience.
Step 1: Find your time
At Catalyst you definitely won’t be short for time – the building is open 24/7 during term. This means whether you’re up nice bright and early for the day ahead, or a night owl, Catalyst has you covered. Just bring along your UniCard past 8pm to enter the Catalyst doors.
Step 2: Find your space
Catalyst has no shortage of space. Split into four floors, Catalyst has catered for its various types of students, offering a groupwork space to work collaboratively, quiet study zones and a silent floor for those who prefer no noise at all. With computers based on every floor, and bookable individual or group study rooms, students can find their preferred working space at ease. One hundred laptop loans are offered on the ground floor too, where students can borrow laptops at the swipe of their card and find their perfect study space.
Step 3: Find your resources
Whether you need books, ebooks, journals, online journals or audio-visual resources, Catalyst has your back. With over 200,000 available resources you are spoilt for choice with material to help you with your assignments.
Needing to use an online journal? Edge Hill’s Discover More page locates any materials, both online and in the library, that are available to you, all easily accessible. Use these resources to create your own collection of information.
Step 4: Find your taste
Catalyst are proud to offer you 53.3° Café on the ground floor. With an array of hot and cold drinks and food to be tasted, why don’t you find your favourite bites from the new café?
Step 5: Now enjoy
Now enjoy! You have created your very own library experience where all that Catalyst has to offer is at your fingertips.
Need help?
Catalyst is home to three different services: Library and Learning Services, Student Services and Careers. These three services have been merged into the same building to provide a central point for all students to access the help, support and guidance they may need. Catalyst helpdesk is your first point of call for any queries, no matter how big or small, with any of the services.
We also offer UniSkills workshops for starting or developing your academic writing and 1-1 appointments with Student Advisors to ask about locating library resources, accessing the VLE and referencing.
However you may need it, Catalyst is here to help.
Written by: DYLAN BOOTH
3rd Year Creative Writing Student
Student Advisor for Library & Learning Services