Teaching Guide: Home

LibrarySearch
LibrarySearch provides the easiest way to find and access library print and online resources. It allows you to search across almost all library collections and resources, whether you are on or off campus. For more information about finding resources see Finding and Accessing Collections and how to search effectively see Searching Techniques.

Resources
The library collections holds a wide range of specialist arts books, journals, databases, dissertations, research and archives to inspire your teaching and creative practice.  For more information about all the library collections and resources see Finding and Accessing Collections.

Accessing Resources

• Borrowing
  Staff can borrow 30 items including books and DVDs.  For more information about accessing resources see Borrowing and Accounts.

• Electronic Resources
  When accessing electronic resources off campus campus you'll need to login using your University username and password.  For more information about logging into electronic resources from off campus see Finding and Accessing Collections. 

Requesting Resources
If the Library doesn't have what you are looking for, it is possible to obtain resources either from another campus via Click & Collect or from another library via Document Supply.  The Library is also happy to take resources recommendations subject to budget and financial regulations. For more information about obtaining resources see Requesting Resources.

Liaison
Liaison Librarians are able to offer courses support with validation and accreditation events, by helping you to create effective reading lists, identifying and selecting resources which best meet students’ needs, and through the provision of embedded information literacy workshops which align to course objectives.

Liaison Librarians also attend Course Boards, where they provide answers to student and staff enquiries and update you on latest library developments.  

Information Literacy
Librarians support both yours and your students' information needs, providing embedded teaching, small group and one to one tutorials, to –

• find and evaluate information sources
• use online resources
• provide expert advice on what the library has to offer 
• guidance on how to reference resources and avoid plagiarism

Resource Selection
The librarians manage the campus subject budgets and are happy to take recommendations for resources subject to budget and financial regulations. For more information and to make a recommendation see Requesting Resources (and then Recommendation).

Reading Lists
Liaison Librarians will work with you to create reading lists for validation and maintain them on an ongoing basis.  Reading Lists consist of Essential and Recommended resources.  For more information see the Reading List Policy.

Referencing
The Harvard referencing system is the University's chosen citation method.  For more information see Plagiarism and Harvard Referencing which includes information about using the Turnitin plagiarism detection service.​

Help
For more information about the Liaison Librarians see Meet the Liaison Librarians.

The team of Learning Development Tutors can help with -
 
Consultancy
Learning Development Tutors work with course teams to enhance student learning. We offer opportunities to work together on course planning, co-taught seminars sharing effective learning and teaching practices, assessment design, course validation and course review.  The approach is inclusive course design and delivery actively promotes internationalisation and personalised learning to help close equality gaps at UCA.

A Learning Development Tutor can contribute to your course teaching and planning in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to -

• developing inclusive teaching and assessment strategies
• aligning your curriculum to a diverse student cohort
• internationalisation and decolonisation of curriculum
• identifying opportunities for workshops/co-teaching
• identifying and embedding subject-specific approaches to language and literacy practices.

Embedded workshops 
All workshops scheduled in with the Learning Development team, are designed and tailored specifically to courses to enable practice-led student learning at point of need.  Popular topics include -

• deconstructing the unit brief
• understanding assessment criteria
• reflecting on unit feedback
• planning assignments
• generating ideas
• exploring academic and subject specific writing styles
• critical reflection and annotation
• developing reading approaches
• presentation skills
• time management, motivation and organisation
• and lots more…

Validation, Scrutiny and Periodic Review
Through consultation, we can offer tailored support for scrutiny, validation and periodic review contributing to the provision of flexible, inclusive and interdisciplinary learning on your course. Learning Development Tutors can provide consultation on (but are not limited to): 

• inclusive and accessible approaches to teaching, learning and assessment,
• internationalisation of the curriculum and
• equality and diversity.

Accessible Formats
If you or your students have a disability or identified learning need the library is able to offer accessible formats, for example digital versions of printed resources which can be read by sound readers or magnified on screen.  For more information see Accessible Formats.

Digitisation
The Library can help you create accessible digital resources to support your teaching.  The Digitisation Studio at Farnham offers you access to a specialist range of digitisation equipment for you to book and help and assistance is available if needed.

Reading Lists
The University uses Talis Aspire to manage its reading lists.  Talis can be accessed via myUCA.  Reading lists can consist of a wide range of resources, including - print and electronic books, journal articles, web links, videos, television programmes, images.  For more information on using Talis see Reading Lists for Staff.

Research Services
The Library offers a range of resources and services to support your research practice. For more information see Research.

Scanning and Copying
To support teaching the University offers three scanning licences - 

• books and other printed materials (CLA)
• recordings of broadcasts (ERA)
• newspapers (NRA)

The Library can also provide information about how to use resources compliantly for teaching purposes.  For more information about licences and copyright for teaching purposes see Copyright.

Technology Enhanced Learning
myUCA is the University's virtual learning environment through which your students will receive communication about their course, they can access your hands outs and teaching materials, and submit their assignments.  For information on developing your myUCA courses contact mycoursehelp@uca.ac.uk.