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DMU Resource Lists for Staff: Best practice and benefits

A resource list is effective when it includes the following:

  • Complete Coverage: Lists all required readings, videos, and audio materials.
  • Structured Layout: Mirrors the course structure (by week, topic, or format).
  • Prioritisation: Items are marked as Essential, Recommended, Optional, etc.
  • Guidance Included: Features annotations, explanations, and study tips.
  • Scaffolded Learning: Helps students gradually build research skills.
  • Updated Content: Contains current and accessible resources.
  • Culturally Aware: Reflects the diversity of the student cohort. Check out our page on 'Decolonising your reading list'.
Benefits for Students
  • Consistency Across Modules: Students know what to expect across different courses, making navigation easier.
  • Starting Point for Learning: Useful even in self-study modules (e.g., "how-to" guides on writing a dissertation) are readily available.
  • Guided Learning: Annotations help students understand the relevance of resources and prioritise their reading.
  • Report Issues Easily: Students can report broken links, and the library will resolve them.
Benefits for the Library
  • Efficient Stock Management: Lists allow the library to ensure that all required materials are available or purchased.
  • Support for Print-Disabled Students: Accessible Formats Team can prepare materials directly from the list without having to track down resources.
  • Simplified Enquiries: Publicly available lists make it easier for library staff to respond to student queries.
Benefits for Academic Staff
  • Saves Time: No need to contact library separately for purchasing requests.
  • Digitisation Requests Made Easy: Extracts or chapters can be added directly to the resource list under the terms of the CLA Licence.
  • Centralised Resource Management: Resources are organised in one place, for easy linking on LearningZone.
Cross-Cutting Benefits
  • Copyright Compliance: Ensures legal use of all materials by streamlining licensing management and reducing legal risks.
  • Accessibility Support: Allows the Accessible Formats Team to efficiently provide materials for print-disabled students, improving inclusivity.
  • Seamless Resource Access: Centralises materials, making it easy for everyone to find and use what they need without navigating multiple systems.