Glasgow Caledonian University

10-minute orientation classes for new students and direct entrants

School Orientation Sessions - Students attending the orientation sessions held in C001 will receive a 10 minute welcome covering the library building and an overview of the service. Our key message is that we are a modern, bright, welcoming library with lots of spaces and resources for learning and expert staff on hand to help. 

If you want a longer session tailored to your subject, see the subject specific classes section of this page.

School induction co-ordinators should contact your librarian to book.

Subject Specific Induction or Information Skills Classes

Information skills classes are tailored to the level of student, subject and programme need. 

The most effective classes are:

• hands-on in a computer lab
• based on a real need such as their first assignment
• subject specific

Induction week is too early for workshops as students will not take in all the information.

Example classes (each would be an hour):

• Getting Started: Catalogue, ebooks, journals, subject guides and Discover
• Search and Reference Management: Searching with Discover, saving to Refworks
• Advanced Searching: Database searching (tailored by subject) and effective search strategies

Requirements: One hour timetabled, you will need to book a lab, we provide worksheets and GCU Learn material.

Advanced information skills classes can be embedded into Research Methods modules or by programme or module. They are effective when scheduled with the dissertation proposal.

The subject specific sessions are designed to develop search skills and aid in selecting databases. Students will get help to create an effective search strategy and learn to critically assess sources.

Reference management is a key skill at this level – we can provide refresher classes on RefWorks, Write-N-Cite (RefWorks embedded in Word) and the tools within our databases to help create and manage references.