Tackling course assignments the smart way...

The Assignment Planner is our customised assignment support tool. It is based on the original Assignment Calculator developed by the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The idea behind this planning tool is to improve understanding of the library's role in information literacy, as well as offering an opportunity for librarians and faculty to collaborate. Students have a practical instrument to PLAN, EXECUTE and DELIVER their assignments in a timely fashion.

So how does it work? You begin by entering the assignment start date and due date into an online form hosted on our Moodle site. The tool will then (1) calculate the number of days available to you in order to complete the given assignment on time, (2) break down the process in a logical, step-by-step sequence, (3) link to just-in-time resources that help you complete each individual task. In addition, the tool has an email reminder function built into it alerting the user that a particular task is due for completion at a certain date.

From a student perspective, the tool aims to tackle procrastination and offers access to relevant information resources when they're needed. At the same time, lecturers are provided with direction in guiding students through the assignment writing process.

The library uses the tool as a means to support information literacy coaching. The idea here is to get learners to ask the right questions at the right time throughout the assignment writing/research process.

In its original form, the tool breaks the assignment process down into twelve steps. We have decided to tighten this up and streamline the process down to five steps. The idea here is to mould it into our existing landscape of information literacy resources and the strategy our Information Skills Librarian applies.

STEP 1

UNDERSTAND ASSIGNMENT

STEP 2

GET ORGANISED - FOCUS TOPIC

STEP 3

RESEARCH - FIND, REVIEW & EVALUATE INFORMATION

• Search the catalogue
• Databases via Subject Portals
• Finding & evaluating
• Evaluating websites

STEP 4

CREATE A PLAN / OVERALL STRUCTURE

• Using a mind map

STEP 5

WRITE, REFERENCE, REVISE AND  PROOF-READ

Each step includes links to resources specific to our library, as well as external materials such as The Writing Center and the Online Writing Lab.

There are opportunities to customise the planner even further, e.g. by optimising steps and resources based on the needs of individual faculties and schools. This is something we envisage to provide if the generic version above is successful and in demand by our user base.

In essence, the assignment planner is a tangible time management tool for students to help them focus in their assignment writing efforts and thus succeed as best as possible.

Resources: 
Assignment Calculator Blog
Download files
Classic Calculator (University of Minnesota Libraries)
Assignment Planner (Library Presentation)