Resource lists are a huge part of the university experience. Students rely on them to support and supplement their course, lecturers rely on them to communicate with their students around what they should be reading, and academic librarians rely on them to ensure that their provision is relevant and up to date. This means that clear and engaging resource lists can make a huge difference across any institution.
One way for institutions to ensure that they can put together an effective resource list is by investing in and implementing a Resource List Management System, like KeyLinks. These systems are a great way for institutions to organise and manage their content students to easily access and use, which will generate a wide variety of benefits.
A good resource list will:
Support student learning
When students arrive at university, it’s easy to see how they could become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of texts they feel obligated to read. If students are provided with a clear and concise resource list that they can use as a roadmap for their study, they are better able to plan and manage their workload which can help reduce stress and really support their learning.
Using a Resource List Management System, like KeyLinks, can fully support student learning as they allow academics to guide students to content by providing them with a list that they can access anywhere at any time. This will allow them to develop as independent learners.
Encourage institution-wide engagement
By listening to student feedback every year, lecturers can continually evaluate and develop their course resource list to make it as up to date and useful as possible to students. Taking the time to maintain resource lists also fosters communication with librarians to evaluate resource provision.
Resource List Management Systems are a great way to promote this kind of engagement as they open up a dialogue around resources between academics and librarians.
Save time
The beauty of a reading list is that it provides students with one place to access all the information they require to find out what resources they need for their assignments and study.
A system like KeyLinks, allows student to access their resource lists remotely whenever they need to and see where they can find the resources they need. This ultimately frees up more time for studying. They also streamline workflows, which saves time for academics and librarians.
Improve resource provision
A good resource list will mean that librarians know exactly what resources are required and can therefore make informed purchasing decisions.
A prominent feature of Resource List Management Systems is the ability for librarians to have a holistic view of resource supply and demand. With knowledge around cohort sizes, which resources are the most popular and library stock, librarians can make sure they provide the correct resources at the right time.
Ultimately a good academic reading list will lead to increased student satisfaction! Effective resource lists encourage wider reading and provide a more in depth understand of a topic, which can boost student engagement and lead to better grades. They allow for easy access to resources and can save all parties time and money.
Investing in a Resource Management System can be one of the most effective ways to develop good resource lists across an institution, as they can become part of the organisational culture. Find out more about KeyLinks here.
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