1

SPARKing Student Success: York’s Virtual Learning

Commonshttp://www.yorku.ca/spark

Adam TavesYork University Libraries

2

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

3

• One stop help for writing, research, and learning

• York’s Learning Commons includes an information desk, consultation pods, workshops, & collaborative working spaces

4

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

5

Needs Assessment

• 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

6

7

Content Creation

8

Module ResourcesUnderstanding the Assignment Understanding the Assignment Checklist

Time Management Assignment Task ChecklistPersonal Academic Schedule TemplateProcrastination Solutions

Academic Integrity Academic Integrity ChecklistGetting HelpIntegrity in PracticePeer Feedback GuideWhat is Common Knowledge?

Choosing a Topic BrainstormingNutshellingPlus, Minus, Interesting (PMI)

Books, Journals & More PARCA TestSelecting Assignment Sources

Gathering Noting Ideas Concept MappingMind MappingNote-taking Worksheet

Research Strategies Combining Keywords WorksheetFinding Library Catalogue MaterialsPARCA TestSearch Strategies Worksheet

Module ResourcesEffective Reading Strategies Conquering Difficult Readings

SQ4R Worksheet

Essay Structure Creating Complex SentencesEssay Formatting: APA, Chicago, MLASample OutlineUsing Direct Quotations

Creating Bibliographies Annotated Bibliography OverviewAPA Style OverviewChicago Style OverviewMLA Style OverviewTips for Creating Bibliographies

Writing Strategies Developing a Working ThesisStarting Techniques

Revising Your Assignments Peer Review Guide

Essay Editing Editing ChecklistUsing Commas

9

Overview of SPARK @ http://www.yorku.ca/spark

10

Video removed, available at: http://www.yorku.ca/spark/essay_structure/how_structure_emerges_how_structure_emerges.html

11

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?”

12

Launch• Campaign

• In libraries• Campus media

• Buttons on Faculty pages

13

Post-Launch Success

• Google Analytics• Moodle Integration• Upcoming Faculty Launch

14

Access• Available for use by other institutions and students

anywhere

• All content is accessible through a Creative Commons license

15

For further information please contact:

Adam TavesActing eLearning Librarian

York University416-736-2100 ext. 20074

taves@yorku.ca

16

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

For Faculty: • Content is focused on academic literacies

• Class integration suggestions

• Prepared quizzes for each module

• Accessible online and through a Creative Commons License

• Targeted to 1st and 2nd year social science and humanities students

For further information about SPARK, contact:Adam TavesActing eLearning Librarian York UniversityTel: 416-736-2100 ext. 20074E-mail: taves@yorku.ca