Course Planning Guide

The Duke University Libraries and the Center for Instructional Technology can assist you with many aspects of course planning.

• Online Readings
• Video and Film
• Music and Audio
• Improving Student Research and Documentation
• Locating Images, Documents, Data, Maps, and Other Materials
• Multimedia Projects
• Incorporating New Teaching Activities
• Copyright Issues

Online Readings

• Use E-Reserves to post readings online.
• Link to articles: in most cases you cannot simply capture the URL from the address bar because these links are temporary. Here are some other options.

Video and Films

• Place videos or DVDs on Reserve in Lilly Library for the semester.
• Sign up for a classroom showing of a Lilly video or DVD. Language Departments may use the West Campus Language Lab Viewing Room.
• Provide streaming video online (if you own the copyright to the materials). Consult with CIT for details.
• Provide short clips online (if you don't own the copyright). Consult with CIT for details or drop in the CIT Lab Tuesday to Friday from 1-5pm to learn how to digitize clips.

Music and Audio

• Place recordings on Reserve in the Music Library.
• Provide streaming audio online, as downloadable audio clips or podcasts, if you own the copyright to audio materials. Consult with CIT for details.
• Provide textbook audio materials online. Consult with CIT for details.

Improving Student Research and Documentation

• Request a library research workshop designed specifically for your class.
• Request an online research guide for your class (contact your subject librarian or Special Collections for more information).
• Suggest a purchase for the Perkins library collection.
• Invite a librarian to be a course builder in Blackboard, to post research guides or join discussions about research assignments.
• Use the resources of Special Collections for your class.
• Encourage your students to take advantage of library resources:
  • Subject librarians are available to help via research consultations.  
  • The Citing Sources page provides helpful citation examples.
  • The library offers EndNote classes each semester; the software is free from OIT.
  • The Writing Studio has satellite offices in Perkins and Lilly.

Locating Images, Documents, Data, Maps, and Other Materials

• Ask A Librarian by email, phone, IM, or in person.
• Contact a subject librarian for specialized assistance.
• Contact Special Collections for manuscripts, archival materials, rare books, and early maps and newspapers.

Multimedia Projects

• Consult with CIT about best practices and what to expect from these assignments, before assigning them.
• Use the CIT instructional technology multimedia computer lab in Bostock Library to create multimedia projects or materials.
• Encourage your students to use appropriate labs and facilities:
  • Students can create projects and get help in the Multimedia Project Studio in Lilly Library on East Campus or in Old Chemistry on West Campus. 
  • Students may also use library equipment and hardware. Perkins/Bostock and Lilly Libraries offer computers with production software, as well as scanners. Two of the Perkins/Bostock group study rooms are equipped with a DVD player, VCR, laptop connection and wall mounted monitor, and are a great place for students to practice multimedia presentations.

Incorporating New Teaching Activities

• Consult with CIT on best practices in teaching, applying new technologies effectively in teaching, and evaluating the results.

Copyright Issues

• Consult with the library's Scholarly Communications Officer for questions that relate to course readings, audio, video, and multimedia.