Library Instruction Moodle Modules

The Writing & Speaking Instruction Team has created Moodle modules to supplement our in-person instruction sessions. Each module includes a worksheet with activities, space for reflection, links to resources, and generates a certificate of completion. Each module may take 15 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the level of engagement. 

To use the module, provide students with the shareable link. For help or if you have questions, email us at library_instruction@ncsu.edu.

General or skill-based online modules

These modules are not related to specific assignments, but address skill sets that are foundational to library research or common college-level assignments. They may be useful paired with an assignment-based module or as a stand-alone introduction to the topic.

  • NC State University Libraries Online Orientation 

    This module is an introduction to all that the NC State University Libraries have to offer, including resources, spaces, services, and more. It should take 15-20 minutes to complete and is accompanied by a handout with important links, question prompts, and space to take notes if desired. 

    We recommend this module for every student, regardless of whether they will attend library instruction sessions, as this provides helpful information about using the library.

    Sharable link: Libraries Online Orientation

  • Demystifying Citations

    This module provides a general overview of citation practice, its connection to academic disciplines, the common elements in all citations, and how the differences are a reflection of the academic disciplines they represent. Only MLA, APA, and Chicago styles are discussed.

    We intentionally avoid discussing citation through the lens of plagiarism or providing templates for creating citations.

    Sharable link: Demystifying Citations

  • Finding Scholarly Sources

    This module can help students move from a broad research topic to finding relevant articles in Summon or subject databases. We demonstrate how to use search results to uncover interesting subtopics and avenues for research, develop a set of keywords for searching, and introduce Summon and subject databases as tools for searching. 

    This module could be effectively paired with any research assignment or any assignment-based library instruction session or module. Consider pairing with the “Recognizing Scholarly Articles” module to ensure students can reliably identify peer-reviewed research articles. 

    Sharable link: Finding Scholarly Sources

  • Recognizing Scholarly Sources

    This module will cover the basics of understanding scholarly writing, identifying research articles, and distinguishing scholarly research from other types of research publications. Students will engage with multiple scholarly and non-scholarly articles from different disciplines.

    This module could be effectively paired with any research assignment or any assignment-based library instruction session or module. Consider pairing with the “Finding Scholarly Articles” module to ensure students are comfortable finding articles in Summon and other research databases.

    Sharable link: Recognizing Scholarly Sources

Assignment-based online modules

These modules are based on common assignments in the English 101 courses taught at NC State. They serve as an introduction or reinforcement of instructor introduction to the genre-based assignment and learning objectives. Instructors may decide to pair these with skill-based modules or in-person instruction sessions.

  • Autoethnography 

    This module will introduce the autoethnography genre, explain the autoethnography assignment, and provide examples for students to analyze. In addition, we provide several resources and a step-by-step guide for choosing an in-group, thinking about it from a research perspective, and beginning to search for scholarly articles. 

    The autoethnography module will be most effective if assigned prior to or instead of the autoethnography library instruction session for English 101. 

    Sharable link: Autoethnography

  • Finding Articles for Your Annotated Bibliography

    This module will provide a brief overview of scholarly writing and the peer review process, the basics of finding scholarly articles, and resources to cite sources for an annotated bibliography. The in-person library instruction session will provide more in-depth instruction for explaining and creating an annotated bibliography for an assignment. 

    This module is designed to complement the Annotated bibliography library instruction session for English 101.

    Sharable link: Annotated Bibliography

  • Literature Reviews

    This module introduces students to literature reviews as a genre and explains the literature review assignment. We provide example articles to engage with, opportunities to reflect on how they will begin working on their own literature review, and share guidance to begin searching for articles.

    There is some duplication with the general “Finding Scholarly Sources” module.

    Sharable link: Literature Review

How to use our Moodle modules

Students can self-enroll into a Libraries Moodle Course on the topics above and receive a certificate upon completion. If you would like to embed one of the library modules into your course moodle, contact Alison Edwards.

Self-enroll Instructions
  1. Provide students with the sharable link to desired lessons (listed above)
  2. Students sign in to Moodle with Unity ID login
  3. Students click “enroll me”
  4. Students complete module lesson (does not need to be completed in one sitting - progress is automatically saved)
  5. A certificate of completion is downloadable once all components of the module lesson are completed. The certificate will also be automatically emailed to students within one hour of completion. The certificate or the accompanying worksheet may be submitted for a grade if you choose.

Librarian(s)