SPARKing Student
Success: York’s
Virtual Learning
Commons
http://www.yorku.ca/spark
Adam Taves
York University Libraries
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York University, Toronto, Canada
• Canada’s third largest university
• 50 000+ students full/part-time
• 7 000 staff and faculty
• 150 undergraduate programs. Growing graduate school
with 44 masters, doctoral and professional programs
• 2 campuses
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• One stop help for writing,
research, and learning
• York’s Learning Commons
includes an information
desk, consultation pods,
workshops, & collaborative
working spaces
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Pan-University Online Learning Resource
• An e-learning resource, accessible freely on
the web or embedded into a Course
Management System (CMS)
• Focused on the development of academic
literacies - research, writing, and learning
• Organized around the process of completing
an academic assignment
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Needs Assessment
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Examined 174 online tutorials from around the world
Identified primary and secondary user groups
Conducted focus groups with faculty and students
Assessed technological and accessibility issues
Explored marketing and branding requirements
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Content Creation
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Module
Resources
Understanding the Assignment
Understanding the Assignment Checklist
Time Management
Assignment Task Checklist
Personal Academic Schedule Template
Procrastination Solutions
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity Checklist
Getting Help
Integrity in Practice
Peer Feedback Guide
What is Common Knowledge?
Brainstorming
Nutshelling
Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI)
Choosing a Topic
Books, Journals & More
PARCA Test
Selecting Assignment Sources
Gathering Noting Ideas
Concept Mapping
Mind Mapping
Note-taking Worksheet
Research Strategies
Combining Keywords Worksheet
Finding Library Catalogue Materials
PARCA Test
Search Strategies Worksheet
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Module
Resources
Effective Reading Strategies
Conquering Difficult Readings
SQ4R Worksheet
Essay Structure
Creating Complex Sentences
Essay Formatting: APA, Chicago, MLA
Sample Outline
Using Direct Quotations
Creating Bibliographies
Annotated Bibliography Overview
APA Style Overview
Chicago Style Overview
MLA Style Overview
Tips for Creating Bibliographies
Writing Strategies
Developing a Working Thesis
Starting Techniques
Revising Your Assignments
Peer Review Guide
Essay Editing
Editing Checklist
Using Commas
Overview of SPARK @ http://www.yorku.ca/spark
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Video removed, available at:
http://www.yorku.ca/spark/essay_structure/how_structure_emerges_how_structur
e_emerges.html
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Usability Testing Results
• “When writing a research paper, it takes you through the
steps for a good grade and explains how to write a paper.”
• “What I liked is the amount of info on each page. It wasn’t
overwhelming.”
• “When will SPARK be ready for us to use?”
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Launch
• Campaign
• In libraries
• Campus media
• Buttons on Faculty pages
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Post-Launch Success
• Google Analytics
• Moodle Integration
• Upcoming Faculty Launch
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Access
• Available for use by other institutions and students
anywhere
• All content is accessible through a Creative Commons
license
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For further information please contact:
Adam Taves
Acting eLearning Librarian
York University
416-736-2100 ext. 20074
taves@yorku.ca
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For Faculty:
For Students:
• Online guide to successful academic papers
• Modules are:
• 8-10 minutes each
• Focus on research, writing and learning
• Include examples, templates, videos and worksheets
• Can help at any point in the preparation of a paper
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Content is focused on academic literacies
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Class integration suggestions
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Prepared quizzes for each module
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Accessible online and through a Creative Commons
License
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Targeted to 1st and 2nd year social science and
humanities students
For further information about SPARK, contact:
Adam Taves
Acting eLearning Librarian
York University
Tel: 416-736-2100 ext. 20074
E-mail: taves@yorku.ca