Reflect Learn Connect

What kinds of information do you need and where do you look?

Different information sources provide unique types of information; for example, encyclopedias offer a different perspective on a topic than a magazine or journal article.

Know the possibilities so you can decide on the best available sources for your research.

While you watch the video below think about the following questions:

• What are your initial reactions to what you saw in the presentation?
• How are these changes manifesting themselves in your personal lives? 
• What do we think it means to prepare for the 21st century? What skills do students need to survive and thrive in this new era? 
• Do we need to change? If so, how? 
• How do we get from here to there? 
• What challenges must we overcome as we move forward? 
• What supports will we need as we move forward? 
• What kind of training will we need to move forward? 
• Who's scared? Why? 
• What will we do next? What are some concrete actions that we can take in the near future?

Information Seeking Behavior: Which animal are you?

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4.	5.	6.

1. Magpies are easily distracted by the new and the eye-catching, ignoring other relevant material.
   
   
2. Squirrels rely on information which they have previously found and stored away.
   
   
3. Vultures are scavengers, not hunters, relying on scraps of information they find lying around.
   
   
4. Giant Pandas rely too much on a single source of information, even if other sources are available.
   
   
5. Giant anteaters use several sources of information, but do not spend too long with each source.
   
   
6. Orb weaver spiders rely exclusively on the web!

Which of these statements describes you best? How does this affect your search for information?

• I usually avoid new technologies
• I generally take a while to use technologies
• I use new technologies at the same time other people do
• I tend to use new technologies somewhat before others do
• I usually use new technolgies before anyone else

Use the Comments link below to add your views on any or all of the questions listed below and see what others have written:

• Do you face any difficulties when doing research for your assignments? If so, can you describe these difficulties.
• How long does it usually take you to get started on a paper / report?
• Where do you usually go first to find information for your paper / report?
• How do you use Google to help with your research?
• What do your professors say about using Google for your research projects?
• Which library services help with your research?
• What research skills do you think you will need in the job market?

The AUS Library now provides an audio tour which you can take using your mobile phone and QR code technology.

Even if you don't have a mobile you can listen to the audio tour using your browser.

Please see the AUS Library Audio Tour webpage for instructions and remember to print a copy of the tour map below.

The Library of Congress Classification is a system of classification used in academic libraries to organize and arrange books according to subject.

The system divides publications into classes which are identified by one or two letters of the alphabet. For example class P is Language and Literature, with subclass PE for English language, PR for English Literature and PS for American Literature. Numbers are then used to further classify subtopics.

To explore the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) visit their website at 
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/ or see our simple LCC outline.