PATHFINDER PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In Fall of 2012 the Library introduced their Pathfinder program. In this blog post we will give an overview of how Pathfinders are being used on campus.
WHAT IS A PATHFINDER?
Upon the request of a faculty member, a librarian works with the faculty member to create a customized mini-website with only the resources essential to the class, or even, to a specific assignment. The Pathfinder can contain links to databases, books and ebooks, journals and journal articles, videos, forms, images, etc. It can be structured to fit the needs of your class. The Pathfinder as a whole can be linked into iLearn, and specific pages can be linked individually in iLearn Lesson or iLearn Resources.
Faculty response to Pathfinders has been quite positive.
Faculty response to Pathfinders has been quite positive.
THE NUMBERS.
As you can see below, the number of Pathfinders and sections they serve has been increasing steadily. Comparing Fall 2012 to Fall 2013, there was a 67% increase in the number of Pathfinders. And although we are only half-way through Spring 2014, we have already surpassed the number created in Spring 2013.
We have seen most Pathfinders reused semester after semester. In courses with multiple sections, Pathfinders have been quite popular. They help standardize the library experience that students have across the sections.
Student use of Pathfinders has been significant. In Fall 2013 we saw an average of 11 page views per student, with one class seeing as many as 69 page views per student.
The chart below shows the distribution of Pathfinders by course level in Fall 2013. It should be noted that 77% of all the First Year Seminars had a Pathfinder, which influenced the high percentage of 100 level courses having them. Also, several of the courses with Pathfinders were taught entirely online.
A Pathfinder can be created anytime within the semester. If you would like one for your class, please contact your Library Liaison.
