Understanding Assignments

Older students may even write a report on what actions they took to increase accessibility in their community.

Although elementary school students may seem too young for assignments about prejudice and discrimination, even young children are capable of understanding issues of fairness and favoritism.

Studies have found that children show ingroup preferences and favoritism as early as age 3 or 4, and that racial and gender stereotyping follow soon after.

Check first to see what tutorials may be available from the student's own institution.

When using tutorials from other institutions, be sure that students know they cannot use the other institution's databases.

Or, you could analyze an existing “ideal” student paper to define those goals and features.

Also, an instructor-annotated student paper can be very helpful as a model for students.The more specific your rubric is, the more helpful it will be in guiding your students to write successfully.Many of us create assignments that are too long–and students need to decode them in order to move forward.Also available is a non-video handout: Jim Vileta, Business Librarian at the University of Minnesota, provides examples of APA citations for all major business resources and types of information.Part of a much larger Business Research Launch Pad.Many students like the information; some become confused by materials from other institutions, so an introduction is key.Understanding Assignments (video) This video, from the University of North Carolina's Writing Center gives excellent advice for students struggling to understand their assignments.If students are old enough, have them keep a journal in which they record which activities are hardest for them and how these activities can be adapted to fit their new needs.Ask students to pay special attention to the accessibility of public areas, and to answer the question: If you were in a wheelchair, could you go everywhere you want?Including the goals at the beginning of the assignment helps students understand why this paper “matters.” Understanding the differences between how students and faculty look at writing assignments can help you create better assignments for your course.Colorado State’s writing program recommends writing your ideal paper and then working backwards to be able to name the clear goals that you want to set forth for students.