Teaching with Archives & Special Collections

An instructor/librarian requests materials be put on reserve in ASC for their class (may or may not be tied to an archivist-led instruction session/co-teaching session), so that students can view course materials on reserve outside of class time.

• The archivist creates an Aeon activity for the course reserve and makes sure all requests are added to the Aeon activity.
• The archivist communicates expectations for course reserve to instructor, which may include sending the instructor handouts and other information to pass on to students.
• Students are expected to create Aeon accounts and can get assistance with account creation at the ASC reference desk or via an archivist.

An instructor or Librarian teaches with ASC materials in an ASC space (either in the reading room or classroom).

• Archivists help the instructor/librarian work through logistics like booking instruction space, facilitating access to space and materials.
• Archivists may or may not provide assistance with material selection, depending on instructor preference.
• The instructor must provide the final list of materials for inclusion at least 1 week before the scheduled materials lab session.
• ASC staff make sure that class materials are pulled and in place at the start of the class.
• As students arrive for a class, ASC staff provide information about ASC policies, such as storage of personal belongings in ASC lockers, and guidelines for handling ASC materials.

Archivists collaborate and co-lead an instruction session with requesting faculty member/instructor/librarian.

• The archivist meets with the requestor to discuss goals for the session, topics to be covered, learning objectives, and materials.
• The archivist is a partner in the planning and teaching process.
• Lesson plan & learning objectives are created jointly with co-leader.
• Archivist leads some instructional component of the session.
• Archivist provides assistance and/or guidance in selecting materials.
• Materials must be selected at least two weeks before the co-led class session.

An archivist leads an instructional session in the archives, with input on structure and content from the requesting a faculty member/instructor/librarian to teach a session.

• The archivist meets with the requestor to discuss goals for the session, topics to be covered, learning objectives, and materials.
• The archivist creates the lesson plan and learning objectives.

1. Submit instruction request at least 3 weeks before proposed session date(s)
2. Meet with the Archivist at least two weeks before the session to discuss session goals, primary sources to be included, instructional activities, and session logistics
3. Communicate with your students in advance of the session, share any pre-class materials for the session

Tips for a successful session:

• Allow time for lesson planning-- Sessions based around an upcoming assignment or cumulative project are the most impactful, and collaboration and communication with the requesting faculty member is crucial. Please submit your instruction request no later than three weeks before the date you’d like the session to occur. Please note that requests after the three-week mark will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Share your course and learning outcomes with us-- We ask that you share your syllabus and/or primary assignment with us (even if they are not finalized). This will allow the archivist to prepare a meaningful session that will assist your students in successfully fulfilling the requirements of their assignment or learning objectives. For more information on the primary source literacy learning objectives we use to plan ASC instruction, please see the Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy
• Help us get to know your students—You know your students best! Any information you can provide about the educational background of your students, such as majors or years, will give us a starting point for planning. We may ask you about the culture of your classroom, such as do you often have group activities? Discussions? Do any students in your class have any needs that require accommodation? All of these insights help us to effectively prepare active learning activities to facilitate student engagement.