Suggestions for Assignments

Try not to take too much for granted--there's a lot your students don't know yet. See Making the Implicit Explicit.
Whenever possible model your own critical processes. Show how you track, collect, winnow and vet your sources.
Demystify the concept of the literature of your discipline. Specifically address some of these questions: What is it? Where does it come from? Who does it? How is it collected and disseminated?
Look for ways to keep your students in the habit of looking for information. They need practice, practice, practice, before they become proficient and confident.
Remind your students early and often that research is an iterative, recursive process, not a one-time exercise.
Consider having a TA do a dry-run of an assignment to get a student perspective on it. Is it understandable and doable given the time, skill and resources they have? Often unexpected difficulties and questions arise that can be ironed out in advance.
Give your students a reason to ask a librarian for help. Librarians can help them throughout their lives as learners, professionals and citizens. The sooner they learn this the better.

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