MyTyndale - Where's the Library?!

Why, when I log into MyTyndale doesn't the library jump out at me? Oh, there it is teeny-tiny print at top -- top of page was hidden I had to scroll up to see it.

The main dilemma I have right now is figuring out how to comply with the Tyndale action research measure-before-and-measure-after requirement. 

I've got all kinds of ideas for research I could do, and all kinds of ideas for actions I could take. My problem is I haven't a single idea for research-action-research.

Here's an idea. My theory could be that Christian institutions need, as a duty, to have the scaffolding in place to promote integrity and inhibit plagiarism. I could "observe" that TTC has little in this area. My remedy could be things like Honor Chapels, updated syllabi, etc. My post observation could be that these are now installed and TTC is now more aligned with the "ought" of scaffolding. But, this is a pretty obvious measure. I suppose I could look for evidences that the scaffolding has actually had an effect?

What I Would Do If There Were No A/R Project?

1. I would not spend endless hours researching plagiarism root causes, etc.

2. I would identify plagiarism solutions, create a list of them and then seek to match them to TTC. Cultural issues here become things like the fact that TTC is not as developed in terms of academic infrastructure as western institutions -- just look at their website as an illustration of this. Library is thinner, academic boots-on-the ground resources are thinner. As well as Less of a commitment to western ways (of thinking and doing).

3. I would seek to implement some of these ideas.  Off the top of my head these ideas would include:

a) beef-up Prospectus to include sufficient statements on academic integrity and plagiarism

b) beef-up syllabi with anti-plagiarism statements and link to Prospectus guidelines

c) beef-up website with same

d) institute an annual "Honor Chapel" that stresses academic integrity, 10X, etc.

e) modify syllabi to include, as appropriate, an early in-class opinion essay to capture student's writing style, level and vocabulary; minimize take-home assignments, e.g., in-class vs. take-home exam, etc.

f) a plagiarism competency quiz

g) How to detect plagiarism handbook for faculty

This would be a "common-sense" approach rather than wrapped in academic theory justifications.

4. I would perhaps survey at the end to see what results if any were obtained.

My main point here is one of academic sufficiency or ???. IOW, the academy has a responsibility to communicate expectations clearly, reinforce these expectations, set the bar clearly whether or not these actions do anything to mitigate actual plagiarism.

"Students have an obligation to be shining lights of moral example, but so does the Christian institution. How does an institution "let its light shine" with regards to the issue of plagiarism? By "getting its house in order" and making sure that it has the infrastructure in place to equip students to avoid plagiarism.

Equipping the saints for the work of ministry / Equipping the students for the work of the academy.

How does one equip students?

1. By communicating expectations clearly.
2. By reinforcing these communications.
3. By forewarning of penalties. And sticking to them.
4. By explaining "why".
5. By measuring student competencies and attitudes.
6. By wrapping plagiarism inside inside institutional and personal honour.

Citing Kindle and E-books

1. http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2011/02/08/08readwriteweb-kindle-updates-software-adds-real-page-numb-72603.html?ref=technology


Kindle Updates Software, Adds Real Page Numbers and Public Notes
By AUDREY WATTERS of ReadWriteWeb
Published: February 8, 2011


2. Wake up, citation styles!
2 Comments · Posted by Chad in eBooks, Libraries/Info Sci, Ramblings, Tech

Everyone, including the New York Times, seems to be hailing Amazon’s decision to add page numbers to the Kindle.

3. Citing the Kindle. Scholarly Kitchen.

4. How Should You Cite from Kindle? Storied Kitchen.

Finding a Book at Tyndale Library

I'm going to give myself the easiest task possible. Simply log into the Tyndale library site and look up a book. Here goes.

Select Tyndale Library Services. 

Select OnTRAC.

Paste in Standing in the Shadow of Giants : Plagiarists, Authors, Collaborators.

Go.

"Could not retrieve search results." Does this mean "not found"? My first failure.

It booted me into "Advanced Search". Why? And why is the Search button so far over to the bottom right -- I have to scroll down to even see it.

For the search on Howard Rebecca Moore ALL OF THESE within AUTHOR NAME

the system returned Things for boys to make and do / Emily Bone, Rebecca Gilpin and Leonie Prat

So, the search doesn't even work properly.

How do I get back to where I was? Click "Search". 

Takes me to a new screen.

I'll try entering "plagiarists" within... what does "Title Keyword" mean? Same as word in "Title"?

"Search resulted in no hits."

Well, that's different from "Could not retrieve search results." I wonder if these two phrases are supposed to mean the same thing? Who knows?

"Your session will end in two minutes".

I'll try a simple search on Plagiarism. Bingo. I'll select 8 books. Add to List. I tried this. It asked for my Patron Code. I guess a patron is a hoity-toity user. I'll try emailing to see what it emails. Seemed to work. OK, I've emailed it; how do I get back to where I was? I have no idea. Search? No, got a blank search screen. Why is this interface so unintuitive, so difficult to use? Am I being punished for clicking Send EMail, and now I can't get back to where I was? Maybe it kept my search. Click My Searches. Nope. Click My List? OK, at least my list is intact -- but my search is, apparently, "gone". Now, what do I do if I want to get one of these books -- there's no Tyndale "Call No.".  I'll try clicking on one. Ah. There's the call number. This site would be so much better if the list included the call numbers. Then, you could just call it up and go down the list and get your books.

Checking my email of search results. Huge amounts of white space and not well-formatted. Oh well, at least the data is there. "Holdings Education Stacks". Hmm. That probably means they're over at the other building.

"Your session will end in two minutes".

OK. I got MyList in OnTRAC. I wonder if this list is only in OnTRAC, or if it is for all searches? MyAccount certainly seems more general than OnTRAC. If it's an OnTRAC List, it would be clearer if it said so.

* * *

Searching for books was pretty hit-and-miss. I think I'll search for journal articles. Search for "plagiarism instrument" within Education within 360.

"No clustered results are available. Please select another tab above or refine your search."

What is a clustered result??!! Same as "nothing found"? Same as "no hits"? 

Please select another tab -- what does this mean? Ah, the search defaulted to search within Titles. I'll go back and make it broader. Hmm. I got some "clustered results". Now I know what a cluster is.

OK, I've found some articles. I've clicked on their boxes. Now what do I do? Add to list? There is no list option here. Is there no way to save these search results??!!  I'll try clicking on one. Gale Research. I can "Bookmark" this. Probably a bookmark within Gale Research only. What an incomprehensible process!!!!

Zotero seems to be on the job, though. If only I knew how to use it!

I see there's a download tab with a floppy disc symbol. That's reassuring. I click download.

"Note:While the data elements for the following citations have been formatted to meet the latest citation standards set forth by the respective agencies, these citations provide the available publication data for the document cited and should only serve as a guide and not as a replacement for the latest guidebooks -- or those required by your instructor. Please refer to the provided examples for proper formatting."

What does this 360 Link do?!

Notes w Mark Chapman n/d (!)

Beware "desirability bias".
Check out Zotero.
Do 'literature review" - Google Scholar, Education journals, 360 Search, look in right place and on right track  - The Citation Project
Turabian/Booth

Grabbing a Journal Article

0. Peek inside to assure relevance.
1. Grab the publication/citation info and paste into new record in Bento.
2. Add an rkb keyword to Bento for sorting/locating.

Welcome to the Tyndale Online Library!

Signed in to MyTyndale.ca. Now what? Where is the library?! Inside "Academics?" Nope. "MyPages"? Nope. MyTyndale has no library!!!! Hang on. I see it. It's in the fine print at the top of the page.

Click on Library. Looking for the DMin link. Research Guides sounds right. Nope. Hang on. Doctor of Ministry. There it is. Ah, the lovely Jennifer. I click on Literature Search, expecting to be able to do a, you know, literature search. Nope.

Maybe the DMin link isn't a portal into doing research, but just a tutorial site? Back to the Research Guides page. "This is a great place to start your research in a specific subject area, linking you to relevant print and digital library resources including databases, articles and books." So it is a portal and not just info.

Back to DMin Research Guide. Try Find Articles. Click. Ah. So it is a portal. Select "Academic Search Premier". Sounds upscale and classy. No doubt has automatic windows and rear-view defrost. Remote Access Login. Aren't I already logged-in?! Is this the same ID I just used, or some other ID? I try the same userID and password... I'm in!

I search on "ten commandments" and decalogue. Results mostly irrelevant. And there are only five of them?! I try Show More. Nope. Page 1. Is there a page 2? I select an article. Grab citation data. "Add To Folder". Hmm. That's cool. Things are looking up. But what folder is this? Academic Search Premier, or some other folder?

* * *

OK, got a book reference. Want to look it up. Click "New Search". Takes me to searching within articles. How do I get back to higher level so I can search books? Clicking New Search 3 times doesn't help. There must be some way to get back to the Tyndale Library but where is it? Defeated. I give up. I'll click on "Sign In. Sign In to My EBSCOhost. What is this? A third sign-in requirements? I guess Sign In was not Tyndale Library sign in.  OK. I'm outta here. Going all the way back to Tyndale Library sign-in. Stupid. Bye.

* * *

Out and back in. Search Books. ONTRAC.  OnTRAC Tyndale Library Catalogue. I remember this. Means something. Can't remember. Books that Tyndale has, maybe? What does the TRAC mean? Maybe the funny little symbol will give me a definition. Nope. I wonder what the difference is between searching OnTRAC and searching 360. Would be nice if this page had a brief definition.

Searching OnTRAC. Found a book. Select next page. Oh, oh.

WebVoyáge System Error

An unexpected system error has occurred. Please report this error to your library. We regret the inconvenience. This page will redirect to the system start page shortly.

Out and back in. Found a book on Calvin. No "Add to Folder" option. Hmmm. Maybe the folder only stores data for electronic stuff? Why couldn't the folder also keep publication data, etc. for this "found" book? Guess I don't know exactly what the folder does/is for.

Only 3 references to Calvin and the ten commandments in the whole Tyndale library?!

I decided to "Save Search".  On, no. Yet another log-in requirement. This one wants my Patron Barcode. Are you kidding me, "Patron" barcode?!  Wait a minute. I remember Jennifer said something about this. Get my Tyndale Library card.... Can't find my card. I phone library. Ask for my Patron barcode ID. He tells me "266 followed by last name". I try this. Doesn't work. Phone back. Patron barcode is 266. Last name is... last name. I'm in.

Hang on. I was trying to... what was I trying to do? "Save Search". Instead of a "search saved" message I get a Basic Search screen. What is it I have been doing, and how is this different? "Your session will end in two minutes". Give me a break. I do the same search, and get the same 3 results. This time there's an "add to list" option. Not exactly a folder, but better than nothing. Now I have both a folder and a list on the go. I wonder what click to Export does? Click. Export to... no Turabian. Hmmm. Plus, a blank screen. Another dead end. I have no idea what I just did. I'm "lost in the library". Backspace.

I'm in the Tyndale University College & Seminary Catalogue. How do I get out? I'll hit Search. Nope. Still inside Tyndale University College & Seminary Catalogue. Same problem as before. How do I get back to the top? I'll click "My List". My List Is Empty. Didn't I just add a book to my list using "add to list" option? I guess that didn't work. I've entered Alice in Wonderland territory here. Is the website mocking me, playing with me?

I'll try My Account. I see they've got my street address wrong. Isn't there one address for me kept on file at Tyndale? I am getting mail.

Conclusion: Amazon works much better as a website.

I see there's a teeny-tiny Tyndale Libraries link. I'll try it. I see I'm in OnTRAC. There's a link to return to the Main Library Website. I wonder what the difference is between the MLW and OnTRAC? I'll click Main Library Website. I see a heading Tyndale University College & Seminary Libraries. Below it, I seek a link for Library Catalogue (OnTRAC).  I assume this means Tyndale Library Catalogue (if so, it would be better if it said so). I also see that OnTRAC must be some kind of obfuscatory acronym for the Tyndale Library Catalouge. Wouldn't TynLib or TynCat or even TLC (Tyndale Library Catalouge) be better, so as not to throw novice students off-track?

Since I've been mainly knocking my head against the wall, I think I'll try the 360 search. Maybe it will make my head spin 360 degrees? But wouldn't this be better than head knocking? Hmmm. I wonder if someone has researched this... but, I digress.

Key Learnings: Leadership Narrative Feedback from Emsick-Peek

Richard, a well written testimonial.

I would love to see you go beyond story telling to dig deeper into
reflection on and integration of class experience and assessments to take your thinking and analysis to
a higher, more holistically analytical level.

For instance, what are examples,  consequences, of
your less developed EI.

How might God be using this learning experience (the texts, assessments, classroom discussion) stirring in you towards increased transformation into Christlikeness?

B

Chapman Context Paper - Key Learnings

Dear Rick,

A nicely written paper. You write clearly and carefully. You have done a good job identifying a number of different opportunities. Your paper is nicely organized and first person without being colloquial. Your introduction is good and the process you follow to arrive at your conclusion is logical and convincing.

The addition of a large number of opportunities reduced your space to develop a smaller number of opportunities in more detail. For example, you only explore feasibility, urgency and impact in any detail for your final opportunity.

Your force field analysis is clear but would have benefited from more detail indicating the relative strength of the different forces and how your anticipated intervention would change the balance of those forces.

Your grammar and spelling is generally excellent. Your style is clear and flows well. There were a small number of minor grammatical mistakes and a larger number of referencing errors that will need to be fixed.

Overall a very well written paper.

GRADE - A-
--
Dr. Mark Chapman, Assistant Professor of Research Methods
Tyndale Seminary, 25 Ballyconnor Court, Toronto M2M 4B3
(416) 226-6620 ext. 2208
http://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/dmin/

Key Learnings --

1/2" indent on papers

You need some description of how you arrived at these conclusions. That is, what was the data that led to this analysis?

Footnotes always go on the outside of sentence ending punctuation.

Generally you don’t need to provide a reference to commonly understood theories. In this particularly case there are, confusingly, several different theories that go by the name “system theory” thus a reference is necessary.

“E.g.,” is only used in parentheses (see Turabian 21.8.1)

Good potential to connect this with something about yourself or the neighbourhood but the connection needs to be more explicit here (e.g., point to your subsequent comparison).

You need to explain specifically why signage in multiple languages reduces social cohesion.

There is undoubtably a change in the education system over time. However, it is not clear from your argument how this has specifically affected a culture gap.

Commas go inside of quotation marks.

Cite this as personal correspondence. (ref. an email correspondence). ??

This figure would be more meaningful if plagiarism was plotted against total enrolment (e.g., 1 of 4 is worse than 1 of 40).

Use Turabian format. ??

Writing Skills

the secret to successful assignment writing - start with the quotes and write around them.