KI 2581 How to make good and informative reading lists
(updated )
We have made a sample list. which shows how you easily can make your reading list more informative and understandable. A main principle is not to repeat information in different parts of the list. The sample list shows how to use a variety of functions within the system to provide clearer information. There are several tools we can use:
Section title
Sections can be used to organize the references in different ways (KI 2536). How you choose to do it is up to you (as long as you have at least one section), but it is important that the titles are informative. We also recommend that you look at the list as a whole to make sure the information is given in the best possible way.
The lists are most commonly organized in these ways:
- by reference types (books, articles etc.)
- by how to get hold of the literature (library/book stores, Litteraturkiosken, links, etc.)
- chronologically by lectures (lecture 1, lecture 2, ...)
- thematically (democracy, election processes, etc.)
- by separating between Essential and Recommended literature, or the like (Note! This could, with advantage, be done with the use of tags (KI 2543). That way, the sections can still be used to organize the list after the suggestions above.)
There are description fields both under the list title and under the section titles. These can be used to give information regarding the whole list or a section, and can be used to give both general and specific information. In addition, it is possible to add information for the students on the specific citation.
In this sample list. we have added information about the list (1), a standard text about how the students can get hold of the literature (2) and contact information (3) so that the students know who to contact if they have any questions.
In the description field under a section, you can add general information about the citations in the specific section (KI 2536). Details about one of the citations can be added in the information field for students (KI 2543). This field is well suited to for example give information about which parts of a book the students need to read (i.e. which chapters or pages) .
Tags and due date
You can use tags (KI 2543) to inform the students about which literature is essential, and which is recommended/additional. This can also help the book stores to know what to buy. Tags also show the library and book stores which references to digitize to Litteraturkiosken.
You can also set a du date for the students (KI 2543).
How to upload a syllabus
If you have a syllabus for the course, you can upload it in the reading list, instead of adding all the information in the description fields (KI 2573).
All references and resources collected in one place
The digital reading list system is prepared for many types of references, and give the students links to everything from YouTube videos and sound clips to unpublished documents (i.e. Word or PDF files. Note that uploading material (document files) in Leganto/Mitt UiB should only be done in exceptional cases (KI 2572)). This makes it suitable to collect all resources the students need in one place. If you want, you can place 'not required' material or 'other resources' in a separate section.
Reading lists ready for semester start
To make sure that the reading lists are ready for the students when the semester begins, it is important to submit the lists to the library in time (KI 2559).