The Library at RRC Polytech has an abundance of resources to help you with your studies, research, and even pastimes. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the fantastic databases that you have access to.

What are databases?

So, databases. What are they? How are they useful? And why are there so many? The databases we subscribe to are specifically chosen to align with the college’s programs, initiatives, and individual courses that are offered to our students. Each database has specific information on areas of interest to help with your studies. Some databases are specifically ebooks, some are journals on the latest information in the field, and some are entirely composed of videos.

To optimize the availability of information, there are several databases we subscribe to. The great thing about this is you simply choose one database and search for what you need as opposed to having too many results about irrelevant topics.

Each database has different tricks and tips to make sure you’re able to search for the right information. They’re not all set up the same and each will have its own set of rules to make sure you’re getting the most out of it.

Let’s explore one of our newest additions to the database collection.

Two collections offer over 600 videos on nursing topics

This week’s featured resources are collections within a new database that RRC Polytech’s library has decided to try out. The database itself is called Alexander Street. We have subscribed to two different collections, which are also referred to as channels, within it: Nursing and Mental Health in Video: A Symptom Media Collection and Nursing Education in Video: Third Edition. Together, both collections provide over 600 videos on healthcare topics to help with studying or teaching.

Collection 1: Nursing and Mental Health in Video: A Symptom Media Collection

If you’re looking for information related to mental health, this will be a resource for you. This extensive collection has real case studies of different forms of mental illnesses and their symptoms. The information provided will help to understand patients and key takeaway videos for case studies. 

Collection 2: Nursing Education in Video: Third Edition

Medcom has been providing high-quality, award-winning training videos for healthcare professionals for years. Luckily, all their up-to-date videos can be found within this collection. Useful for professionals and students alike, the training videos are real examples of clinical practice.

Since Alexander Street is a database and there are many different channels, searching for information can be a little overwhelming and even frustrating. Below are some ways to maximize your results and make sure you’re finding relevant content.

When you first open the database, you’ll be on the front page of the collection that you’ve chosen, from the Databases A-Z List, which will look like the image below.

From the front page of the collection, you can see there are a few ways to browse videos by using a search bar, filtering, or playing the entire channel.

When Using the Search Bar, Filter to “Current Channel”

The search bar of this database is finicky. As mentioned, Alexander Street hosts many different collections/channels. If you search for something incorrectly, it may show you content that you will not have access to. When you begin a search, make sure that the filter is set to “Current channel” (as shown in the image below).

If you use this filter, you’ll be able to find the appropriate results which you can either filter through or browse through later.

Without the “Current Channel” filter

What happens if you forget to do that and you search in “All videos” or “All channels?” Then your results are going to be skewed, as shown in the image below.

Return to the Nursing Video Channels

You can get back to the channels owned by RRC Polytech by clicking the menu bar on the upper left corner of the page (shown below).

From here, select “Collections”

You will be taken to this page where you can go back to browsing our subscriptions.

Filtering results in conjunction with a keyword search

You can use filtering alongside search terms, as shown below searching with the keyword “depression.”

Filtering results without a keyword search

Generally, when you’re searching through databases the filters go alongside a search term. However, in this database filtering can be used on its own without having to use search terms. It’s very convenient because it lets you see what kind of options are available to browse and you’re able to narrow down your results significantly.

With your new knowledge of Alexander Street, you’re now ready to look at these resources on your own. Keep your skills fresh and expand your existing knowledge by looking at these great healthcare resources.

Stay tuned for more of “Know Your Resources!”

Keep an eye out for the next installment of Know Your Resources! where we will continue to explore all the great resources the Library has to offer. If you have any questions on how to access or navigate something come and visit us in the Library or send us a message through our Ask Us Chat — we’d love to assist you.

The previous edition of Know Your Resources! is available here >> Part 1: SafetyHub

Written by Justine Hawley – Library Resource Management Technician

At RRC Polytech, faculty and staff have begun using existing Open Educational Resources (OER’s) to support their work with students. This past year, Rebecca Hiebert and Emilie Jackson, while working in the Academic Success Centre in Library and Academic Services, adapted a compilation of OE resources to create College Success for Newcomers, an OER in the form of an e-book.

What are Open Educational Resources (OERs)?

OERs can come in many different formats. In general, OERs are educational materials such as: textbooks, problem sets, assessments, slide decks, videos, lesson plans, study guides, handouts, info graphics, and other educational content that can be used for free and without permission.  

OERs are resources published under an open license, such as Creative Commons allowing these resources to be freely adapted. Under an open license instructors and students can retain, revise, remix, reuse and redistribute these educational resources. 

Want the full story on how to adapt an OER?

Be sure to join us at the RED Forum session Success for Newcomers: Building and Using Open Educational Resources, on Friday, June 2 from 1:15-2:15pm.

Rebecca Hiebert and Ebony Novakowski will present about the journey to adapting an OER as well as best practices for OER Licensing and information on accessing OERs.

How Rebecca and Emilie got started

At the start of the pandemic, Rebecca struck on a brilliant idea to help students learn how to write outlines when taking notes in class or brainstorming to write reports. Rebecca hoped to create a video of herself using PowerPoint slides with a TED Talk clips to inform a step-by-step guide that demonstrated how to listen to content in a video, analyze the main ideas, and capture these in an outline. Being proactive and respectful of copyright concerns, she reached out to the TED Talks people to request permission to use their video in this way. After a long month of waiting, she received an answer, but not the one she was hoping for. 

This led to a conversation with RRC Polytech’s Copyright Officer, Ebony Novakowski, who introduced Rebecca to an online repository of open videos that she could use in the resource she wanted to create. With the new resource under her belt, Rebecca was intrigued by the possibility of creating additional OER. A few months later, with help from Emilie Jackson, and funding support for the Campus Manitoba PressbooksEDU Network grant they were on their way to creating a localized version of College Success for Newcomers: a guide to provide language and academic supports for new students in Manitoba.

Want to learn more about the OER College Success for Newcomers?

This OER resource supports newcomer students and can be used by anyone in North American (or anywhere really!) The goal is to reduce duplication where instructors and support staff are all trying to create and recreate similar resources to help international students adapt to the Canadian college setting. This resource is free to be used and adapted further by instructors and support staff worldwide. Additionally, the resource provides multiple perspectives so that international students can learn about Canadian culture and the diverse experiences of the people who live here.  

Where is the College Success for Newcomers OER available?  

The OER is available online (worldwide) through the platform Pressbooks. The OER can be downloaded into a variety of formats including PDF which could be printed out or viewed offline as well as Pressbooks XML which can be used to adapt the content into future OERs. The OER can be used by anyone, anywhere without permission. It is entirely open and free to access.

Click on the button to view the OER:

How is this OER being used at RRC Polytech?  

One perk of Open Educational Resources is that they benefit multiple departments, schools, and educators. and by creating resources under open licenses, they can be easily shared without preventative restrictions to instructors who want to use and modify the resource. They can also be shared without cost to students.

College Success for Newcomers will be used in the following departments and programs: 

• The Academic Success Centre will use College Success for Newcomers OER when working with international students both in 1:1 tutoring and when leading workshops. 
  
• The Social Innovation and Community Development department will use the OER in courses that are blended with international students, Canadian born students of diverse (European) ancestry, and Indigenous students.  

• Communications instructors will be implementing the OER into the fall version of COMM 1173, Communication Strategies, that will reach over 1,200 students at RRC Polytech.  

• Instructors will be using the OER in the Department of LINC English Language Learning and Newcomer Integration (previously the Language Training Centre) IRCC English Language Programming. 

Looking for Personal or Departmental OER Support?

Open Educational Resources are accessible online and free to share and use in any educational setting. There are already many existing OERs available so if you are looking for a resource to support students, reach out to the library staff and they can help you search for an OER to meet your needs.

If you have an idea for a resource that would benefit others, you may want to consider adapting it into an OER to make it available to everyone. Reach out to the Copyright Officer to learn more! 

Submitted by Ebony Novakowski – Copyright Officer, Library and Academic Services

The Library at RRC Polytech has an abundance of resources to help you with your studies, research, and even pastimes. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the fantastic databases that you have access to.

What are databases?

So, databases. What are they? How are they useful to me? And why are there so many? The databases we subscribe to are specifically chosen to align with the college’s programs, initiatives, and individual courses that are offered to our students. Each database has specific information on areas of interest to help with your studies. Some databases are specifically ebooks, some are journals on the latest information in the field, and some are entirely composed of videos.

To optimize the availability of information, there are several databases we subscribe to. The great thing about this is that you simply choose one database and search for what you need as opposed to having too many results about irrelevant topics.

Each database has different tricks and tips to make sure you’re able to search for the right information. They’re not all set up the same and each will have its own set of rules to make sure you’re getting the most out of it.

Let’s explore one of our newest editions to the database collection.

Featured database: SafetyHub

If you haven’t used SafetyHub yet I highly encourage you to check it out. The database is composed entirely of videos on (you guessed it) safety. There is a wide range of safety topics. Whether you’re in skilled trades, health services, or in any general workspace there is content that is beneficial for you.

Three ways to navigate

Safetyhub is a simple video database and incredibly easy to navigate. On the home page, you have three options:

• Use the search bar and search for keywords or topic.
• Choose one of the safety categories.
• View all videos in the database.

1. Conduct a keyword search

Using the search bar, you can do a simple keyword search and anything related will pop up, if you want to make sure that you’re getting the best results, use quotations around the keywords.

Using quotations will filter the videos to get exactly what you’re looking for.

2. Select a category

Another alternative to getting specific content is to choose one of the many video categories. Each of these categories has related videos neatly grouped together so you don’t need to worry about what search terms to use.

3. View all (in alphabetical order)

If you’re interested in viewing all the videos that SafetyHub offers you can choose the “view all” category. All available videos will be provided in an alphabetical list which you can scroll through.

Current content for professionals

Now that you know more about SafetyHub, take the time to browse through it. All the videos are current and up to date and any professional can benefit from the content here. Not only that, but it is a great way to brush up on your current knowledge.

Keep an eye out for the next installment of Know Your Resources! where we will continue to explore all the great resources the Library has to offer. If you have any questions on how to access or navigate something come and visit us in the Library or send us a message through our Ask Us Chat — we’d love to assist you.

Written by Justine Hawley – Library Resource Management Technician

English Language Tutoring

Do you need help with your English on a writing assignment? Would you like to practice your class presentation and get feedback on your language before you deliver it?

You can request ongoing language tutoring using our Tutoring and Coaching Request Form, or you can book a Short-Term English Language Tutoring session directly with a language tutor for specific, immediate needs such as working on a writing assignment or preparing for a class presentation.

Consider Ongoing Language Tutoring if you want:

• support with ongoing development of speaking and pronunciation skills
• strategies to develop listening and reading skills for program and occupation success
• guidance to improve academic and professional writing skills
• weekly support from the same tutor, over an extended period

Consider Short-Term Language Tutoring if you:

• need support understanding assignment instructions
• want to practice and receive feedback on an oral presentation
• have an assignment due soon, and need support with the writing and editing process
• have discreet skills and tasks they need support with
• feel comfortable using the TracCloud booking system to register for a tutoring session

For more information about Ongoing or Short-Term English Language Tutoring, contact ealsupport@rrc.ca or visit the English Language Centre online.

Submitted by Linda Fox on behalf of the Academic Success Centre, Library and Academic Services

Writing Workshops for Student Success

The Academic Success Centre is offering a six-part online workshop series this term called Building Your Writing Foundation. It is open to ALL students. The series includes six sessions that will equip you with foundational writing skills for your college success!

You are welcome to attend any or all of the six sessions. No registration is required, just log on!

Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 12:15-12:45pm on Webex. To join a session, click the button below and log in with your RRC Polytech credentials.

Workshop Series Schedule

Questions?

Contact writing@rrc.ca

Visit our website: Building Your Writing Foundation

Submitted by Meg Loewen – Academic Success Centre

The Writing Centre

Do you have a writing assignment that you need help with?  Would you like to improve your overall writing skills for better results in your courses?

The Writing Centre can help you at any point in the writing process, including the planning stage, draft writing, revisions, referencing and formatting.  We can also help you if you’re simply looking to improve your confidence as a writer. 

Flexible Options

Drop-in 

Currently available at the Notre Dame Campus Library Tutoring Nook:

• Mondays from 1-3pm
• Thursdays from 1-2pm

By Appointment

Book an in-person or online appointment with a staff or peer writing tutor using TracCloud, our online booking system in HUB.

Through Email

Too busy to meet with a tutor? Try our Writing Support through Email to get feedback on your drafts.  

Questions about writing tutoring? Contact writing@rrc.ca or visit the Writing Centre online.

Submitted by Linda Fox on behalf of the Academic Success Centre, Library and Academic Services

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –
(Emily Dickinson)

The Wellness Wall

In partnership with Campus Well-Being, the Library will be hosting a Wellness Wall display from April 17th – April 28th, 2023 where students, staff, and faculty can write anonymous responses to the question “What gives you hope?”

The purpose of the Wellness Wall is to give users a space to write anonymous notes with the anticipation of giving hope to those who may need some words of encouragement.

Where can I post a message?

NDC

A tree shape will be hung on the wall near the exit across from the Tutor’s Nook. Post-it notes and materials will be placed near the tree display for users to write their notes.

EDC

A tree shape will be displayed on the window at the entrance to the Reading Room. Post-it notes and materials will be placed near the tree display for users to write their notes.

ONLINE

Can’t make it to the Library? Send a message of hope through the online form. We will write and post your message at the EDC and NDC Libraries on your behalf.

Photo Gallery

Photos of the trees budding with messages of hope at EDC and NDC.

Submitted by Meagan Acquisto and Fatima DeMelo – Library and Academic Services

Why do my students need Library Instruction?

Many students begin college believing Google can provide all the answers. Concepts such as crafting effective searches and evaluating information may not be familiar to them. Library instruction provides the initial direction students need to navigate the world of information with skill and confidence. Library staff also offer further guidance through one-on-one research help.

How does it work?

Upon request, a Library staff member will work with your schedule to provide live instruction to your class (online or in-person). Topics frequently covered include (but are not limited to) effective searching, source evaluation, and citation techniques. Whether it be a general session such as an introduction to using the Library, or a more focused session on finding resources for a specific assignment, Library staff will tailor the session to your needs.

Click the button below to learn more and request a session. We are currently booking sessions for fall, so please contact us soon so we can accommodate your request.

Written by Rosemary Woodby and Linda Fox – Library and Academic Services

Photo source: frameryacoustics.com

With both quiet and privacy in high demand, the Library welcomes a new kind of study space featuring glass doors (so you can feel safe and included) and a soundproof, sleek interior (so you can feel comfortable and undisturbed).

Also known as the Framery Q, the Library’s new multifunctional, soundproof space fits 1-4 people and is ideal for quiet study, group work, brainstorming sessions, and private conversations.

Features

• Fresh air ventilation
• Stylish finish
• LED lighting
• Two power sockets
• Two sofas and a turntable
• Adaptable set-up (for sitting, standing, and shared conferencing)

You are invited to try the new Soundproof Study Room at the NDC Library today!

Written by Linda Fox – Library Technician, Program Support and Promotion

Open Education Week

Open Education Week (March 6-10, 2023) raises awareness and highlights innovative open education successes worldwide. OE Week provides practitioners, educators, and students with an opportunity to build a greater understanding of open educational practices and be inspired by the wonderful work being developed by the community around the world.

As costs continue to rise for students, educators are looking toward free open resources made by educators for educators to help ensure students have access to the course materials they need to succeed. These resources also ensure educators have permission to adapt lesson materials without seeking complicated copyright permissions or encountering restrictive digital access requirements. To date, the adoption of Open Textbooks by instructors at RRC Polytech has saved students $477, 500 in textbook costs. Thank you to all our instructors who participate in Open Education!

During OE Week take the time to:

• Visit Library and Academic Services’ OER Support Page – View past OER sessions at RRC Polytech and learn the basics of Open Education.
• Register for the “Opening” Options for Accessibility OE week session – Participants in this session will explore and evaluate OERs with regard to accessibility guidelines.

Happy Open Education week on behalf of the Copyright Officer.

Written by Ebony Novakowski – Copyright Officer, Library and Academic Services