Database Helps: OneClick Digital

In order to remove paper from the desk, I've made a notebook labeled "Database Helps." It's in the lower right cubby when facing the check-out desk. At this point the only database featured is OneClick digital, our new streaming audio database.  The easy instructions for set up are there, AND so is a list of books frequently used in the curriculum that are available in OneClick.  Please also notice the nice display on OneClick near the workroom door. (Thanks, Barbara Naumann!)

As we get other helpful materials on databases, we will add them to the notebook.  If there is a database that you need some support with, please let me know, and I'd be glad to find some helps for you.

Simson History Assignments

Just a quick reminder that there is a folder in the box  that contains assignments.  The one for Dr. Simson's HIST2111 class has just been added.

For this assignment, the students are divided into groups to explore several topics in U. S. History prior to 1700:
Indian Wars
Religion in the Colonies
Virigina
Labor Supply
Settlement Patterns

They need to find both primary and secondary sources. The best places for primary are Annals of America or the digital libraries listed in the right column of the research guide at: guides.gpc.edu/HIST2111Simson .

If you need more support on the, please talk with Angiah or Pat.

Document Files in iCollege

You may have been asked to help students who cannot open files within their iCollege classes.  Because library computers have facilitating software installed (Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader), it might be more of a problem for students at home or on their own devices. This is a known problem being worked on by OIT.  In case you missed the email describing their most recent temporary solution, it is copied below.

Changes to Document Viewer to Better Handle Files

Over the past few days, the Document Viewer feature which allows you to view a .pdf, .docx, .ppt, and similar files without the need to download or have additonal software installed has not worked appropriately causing many of you to see a Loading message instead of seeing the contents of the file.
The University System of Georgia(USG) has worked with D2L to find a resolution to this problem.  They have attempted several solutions but have yet to find a permanent solution.  Therefore, the USG has disabled the Document Viewer feature temporarily.
Now when clicking on a content link and depending on the web browser, you will be presented automatically with the OPEN or SAVE AS option or the file will automatically download.  Depending on browser configurations, PDFs will likely render within the browser.   This action will eliminate the perpetual LOADING message.  

The USG will continue to work with D2L to find a solution to the Document Viewer issue.

OneClickdigital

As promised, here are the step-by-step instruction to help users get established in OneClick and ready to listen to their audio books:

Jag Talk (Wireless) Login

Please be aware that students have only one login at a time for the wireless network. We've had some problems of students not being able to get on the wireless for unknown reasons.  If they have been working on a wired computer or have the wireless automatically opening on their cell phones, they will not have another login for a laptop.

If they are attempting a second login on the laptop, they will receive a message--way down the page-- that they must discontinue the older login before continuing. They can do that by just clicking the link, terminating the Pharos session, or turning off that wireless network on their phone.

FYI- all staff have two simultaneous logins, so you can be on the FacStaff Jagtalk from multiple devices.

Final Exam Schedule

Finals begin for some full-term classes today.  See the entire schedule at http://registrar.gpc.edu/final_exam_summer2014.html

There is also one paper copy at the ref desk.

Crunch Time

There are several research projects underway right now for the 8 week summer session and for the 4 week summer session. Most are English or Communications classes which require basic research.  One COMM1201 class has an assignment called a "Symposium" which is described below:



Symposium (Group Presentations).  To be delivered beginning July 22nd.   20 points of total grade, made up as follows: Preparation Outline 5 pts, Peer Evaluation & Presentation 10 points and Annotated Bibliography 5 points.. You will join/form a group of approx. 5 students.  Each group will speak on a global issue topic for 30-35 minutes. That is each group member will speak for approx. 6 minutes, followed by a 5-10 minute question & answer session.You are required to cite your sources not only in your preparation outline, but also in the verbal presentation of your speech.

Each group will approach the topic as a problem-solving project where they will apply Dewey’s Reflective Thinking Method of decision-making as explained in Chapter 20. This assignment requires research and group meetings outside of class.

On the day of the Symposia, each group member will turn in:

1)      A Preparation Outline, worth 5 points out of the 20.

2)      An Individual Annotated Bibliography of 5 sources (no overlaps), worth 5 points out of the 20. An annotated bibliography involves you writing a summary of the source, and how that particular source is relevant to your topic.  The description should be at least a paragraph—which in this case would involve 3-5 sentences.  The annotated bibliography is worth 5 points out of the 20 for this assignment.

3)      Also turn in the Peer Evaluation sheet, which will be handed out on the day you present.  Should a student fail to complete the evaluation, 5 points (from the 20 for the assignment) will be deducted from her/his grade. Note: The points for the peer evaluation and the verbal presentation will be combined to provide the grade of 10 points, thus making the evaluation “blind.”

4)      Visual aids are expected—all parts of the presentation should be on one PowerPoint document.

The professor reports that topic chosen this term are:

• Global warming (air pollution)
• Poverty in Brazil or Zimbabwe
• Immigration in Australia or Italy
• Clean Water

The analysis from the Reflective Thinking Method includes asking:

• What is the history of the problem?
• How extensive is the problem?
• What are the causes, effects, and symptoms of the problem?
• Can be the problem be subdivided for further definition and analysis? 
• What methodist do we already have for solving ht problem, and what are their limitations?
• What new methods can we devise to solve the problem?
• What obstacles keep us from reaching a solution?

from Introduction to Public Speaking, GPC edition, p 214.