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Teaching and Learning Support

STUDENT RETENTION

During the first six weeks of semester all 1st year undergraduates have access to the Successful Searching online tutorial and quiz which provides an introduction to research techniques and tools to help students find and manage information effectively. This is made available via the vUWS pages for a series of targeted units.

School Librarians also seek 15 minutes or so of class time early in the semester in these and other large 1st year units, particularly when first assessment tasks are discussed, to outline the search process and to direct students to relevant guides/online sources and assistance.

Students are encouraged to seek help from the roving librarians who are on the floor throughout library open hours and also to attend drop in sessions for more indepth assistance. These sessions are conducted in the Library training rooms from 12 to 2 Monday to Friday in semester. Student Learning Unit staff have been joining these sessions regularly. All Library staff now wear distinctive red shirts on service points and roving so help in the Library is very visible.

This face to face assistance is complemented by the Online Librarian chat based reference service available 7 days a week.