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Category: Agriculture

MacRae Library (and all of Ag Campus) CLOSED for remainder of Feb 10

CAMPUS ALERT – Agricultural Campus – Closing immediately for remainder of the day.

Alert sent: Monday, February 10, 2020 12:51:20 PM

Event:

CAMPUS ALERT – Agricultural Campus – Closing immediately for remainder of the day.

Description:

A power outage has been reported at Agricultural Campus as a result of a blown transformer on a nearby utility pole. Bible Hill Fire Department is on scene and have streets closed near College Road and are asking pedestrians to remain away from the area while they respond. The Agricultural Campus will be closed for the remainder of the day.

Instructions:

If requested by first responders, please quickly and calmly leave the location according to emergency response instructions. If buildings are evacuated, staff are requested to check with their manager or direct supervisor for further direction.

In a utilities failure:

– Remain calm
– Do NOT attempt to correct the problem unless you are authorized and qualified to do so.
– Provide assistance to others in your immediate area that may be unfamiliar with the building.
– Turn off equipment such as computers and monitors to avoid potential serious damage once the power is restored.
– If you are in a dark area, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lights.
– If you are on an elevator, stay calm. Use the emergency button or telephone to alert authorities. DO NOT attempt to open the elevator car door or in any way “shake” or “jar” the car to move unless directed to do so by emergency personnel.

Scholarship @ Dal Libraries Webinar Series

Launched in 2018, this is the third Scholarship@Dal Libraries webinar series. This series will cover citation managers, GIS, and data management. It is open to everyone in the Dal community. Please register for the session(s) you want to attend.

 1. Introduction to Citation Managers: Beyond RefWorks

As Dalhousie’s subscription to RefWorks comes to an end, users may have questions about alternatives, and about how to move their references from RefWorks to another manager. This session will offer a brief overview of two major free products, Mendeley and Zotero, as well as Endnote (which must be purchased by the user.) Attendees will learn the basics of installing the product, adding citations (whether from databases for from a RefWorks account), and using them to insert citations and create bibliographies in your papers.

By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Have a basic familiarity with Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote
  • Be introduced to migrating references from RefWorks into another citation manager
  • Learn the basics of inserting formatted citations and bibliographies into their papers using a citation manager

Presented by Shelley McKibbon, an information services librarian at the WK Kellogg Health Sciences Library who has been assisting users with citation managers since 2003.
Related LibGuide: Citation Management by Kellogg Library

Friday, February 28, 12–1 p.m.
To register: https://dal.libcal.com/event/3540842

2. Introduction to GIS

Geographic Information Systems are software programs used to store and manage spatial data. This session will discuss the “science of where” by presenting the basics of mapping and spatial analysis. Expect an overview of software tools and data resources available at Dalhousie University.

By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Be introduced to members of our GIS & Data Services team
  • Understand how to access the services we provide
  • Meet future needs using current terminology and concepts

Presented by Gwen MacNairn, coordinator of GIS & Data Services for the Dalhousie Libraries. Gwen has been an educator for more than thirty years. Before coming to Dalhousie University, she worked for ESRI in California, and while there co-authored Understanding GIS, a popular textbook used for teaching GIS concepts to undergraduate students in universities and colleges.

Friday, March 27, 12–1 p.m.
To register: https://dal.libcal.com/event/3540840

3. Data Management: Getting Started

The draft Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy outlines expectations for institutions and researchers to promote sound data management and stewardship practices. One component of the draft Policy includes data management plans – what does a data management plan look like anyway, and why do you need one? This session will address advantages of creating a data management plan and the tools for creating one. If time, we will also briefly address platforms for sharing your data.

By the end of this session, participants will: 

  • Understanding the importance and utility of management plans for research data/materials of research.
  • Be able to build a data management/materials of research plan for a current project using the free, online Portage DMP Assistant tool.
  • Have an awareness of Dataverse and FRDR data sharing platforms.

Presented by Erin MacPherson, the research data management librarian for Dalhousie and a research and instruction librarian at the Agricultural Campus in Truro.
Related LibGuide: Research Data Management by Erin MacPherson

Friday, April 17, 12–1 p.m.
To register: https://dal.libcal.com/calendar/events/rdm

Early Release of NVivo Pro Qualitative Data Analysis Software

With support from a Strategic Initiatives proposal approved by the Provost’s Committee, Dalhousie has purchased a 4000-user license for qualitative data analysis software called NVivo Pro. In order to provide immediate access to the software, the Academic Technology Services (ATS) team in the Dal Libraries is doing an early release for faculty only. Support for the software will not be available during this early release.

NVivo Pro has tools for analyzing all forms of unstructured data:

  • Work with text, audio, video, images, and spreadsheets
  • Use querying tools including matrix coding queries
  • Create project and concept maps to show associations in data
  • Capture social media content for analysis using NCapture

In the coming months, the Dalhousie Libraries will be doing a full release of NVivo Pro. During the full release, the software will become available to Dalhousie students and staff as well. For those NVivo users who currently hold a personal license, at that time you will be able to migrate your content to the institution’s license.

Faculty can now download NVivo Pro from the software download site. For more information about how to access this software, please contact support@dal.ca.

Thank you to the faculty members who brought the need for qualitative data analysis software to our attention, to the members of the Dalhousie Research Advisory Committee and others who supported the request for funding, and to the Provost’s Committee for supporting this initiative through the Strategic Initiatives Fund.

Managing literature for reviews: Covidence software information session (WEBINAR)

Did you know that you have access to a great tool to help you review the literature more efficiently and systematically? Dalhousie Libraries provides access to Covidence, a systematic review management software that allows you to pull citations from multiple sources and screen them in one place, either on your own or with a team.

This online training session provided by Covidence representative Nancy Owens will provide an overview for using this resource to conduct research reviews in any discipline. You are invited to join this session to get some pointers to make the most of Covidence and facilitate your next review.

Tuesday, February 18, 10–11 a.m.
This is a webinar, registration is required: https://dal.libcal.com/calendar/events/covidence
Contact Robin Parker for more information: robin.parker@dal.ca
Related LibGuide: Systematic Reviews: A How-To Guide by Robin Parker

 

MACRAE LIBRARY STUDENT LEARNING COMMONS AND MIDDLE LEVEL OPEN, THURS., JAN 30

UPDATE #3, January 31: All three levels of the MacRae Library are open. 

UPDATE #2, 3:25 p.m.: In addition to the Student Learning Commons, the middle level of the MacRae Library is now open. The basement level will remain closed until we reassess the situation Friday morning.

UPDATE #1, 10:55 a.m.: The Student Learning Commons ONLY will reopen at 12 p.m. Middle and lower floors remain closed as clean-up continues. We will resume full operations, with access to all floors, at 5 p.m.

The MacRae Library is closed until at least 10 a.m. this morning following the discovery of a leaking pipe. Water has been shut off to the building while a crew from Facilities cleans up the water. Staff will reassess the situation and provide an update regarding the opening time closer to 10 a.m.

Please stay tuned and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant: Apply now!

Funded in partnership between Dalhousie Libraries and the Centre for Learning & Teaching
Deadline to apply is Friday, March 6 at 11:59 p.m.

This grant will provide support for Dalhousie educators who are interested in adapting or creating an Open Educational Resource (OER), or who would like to investigate the impact of their use of OER on student learning at the course, department, or faculty level.

The objectives of this grant program include:

  • Enhancing the learning experience of students at Dalhousie University through the adaptation, creation, or research on the impact of OER.
  • Supporting Dalhousie teaching and learning strategic priorities and the eLearning strategy.
  • Providing faculty with opportunities for professional development of teaching with respect to OER.

Eligibility

Each project must be led by a full-time faculty member or a limited-term faculty member with at least one year remaining in their contract term at the start of the grant period. This is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.  Non-academic staff and part-time faculty members may be co-applicants.

Amount of Award

Up to $3,000 may be awarded

Requirements

  1. Project Plan (See checklist below).
  2. A detailed budget is required with justification for each item (where salaries are submitted, 4% vacation pay should be added). Please include a list of any additional resources (e.g., funding, release time, equipment, etc.) that will be provided to the project from other sources.
  3. If you are planning to seek assistance from CLT or the Dal Libraries staff as part of your project, please seek confirmation in writing that assistance will be available with key staff member(s) during the time frame required, prior to submitting your proposal.
  4. Statement of support from the head of the relevant teaching unit (department, school, faculty) that includes a description of any additional resources (e.g., funding, release time, equipment, etc.) to be provided to the project and a description of the value of the project, in particular the pedagogical impact on students. If a department head is an applicant for the grant, please provide a letter of support from your Associate Dean or Dean of your Faculty.
  5. Willingness to share the results of the project with the Dalhousie community at events arranged by the Dal Libraries and/or CLT (as panel member or presenter). In addition, a brief final written report must be submitted to CLT within 18 months of receiving the grant, outlining the outcomes of the project (500–1,000 words).
  6. Any OER made possible by this grant will be openly licensed (using a Creative Commons license which allows for derivatives) and openly accessible online (e.g., including using Dalhousie Libraries Pressbook installation and any other OER platform).

Funding will NOT be provided for the following items:

  • Conferences: registration, travel, accommodations, etc.
  • Technology already available elsewhere, or where alternatives are available
  • Office supplies
  • Phone charges
  • Publishing fees
  • Faculty and staff salaries

**NB: Projects that submit budgets that are largely requesting funds to purchase technology will only be considered in special circumstances where research has been conducted to ensure that the tool is the only possible solution and that it can be demonstrated to contribute substantially to the project, that there are no institutional plans to consider a Dalhousie-wide site licence for such a tool, and if the department or faculty is able to commit to maintaining the tool to ensure continued use and impact.

Submission Checklist

Applicants are encouraged to submit well-defined proposals that will demonstrably enhance teaching and learning.

To be submitted as part of the grant application, using the OER Grant Application Form:  

  1. Names of project lead and co-applicant(s), employment status of project lead, Faculty/Department, contact information, and brief bio (as it relates to the nature of the project)
  2. Project Title
  3. Brief Abstract (150 words) to be used for promotion purposes if the applicant is successful
  4. Project Plan (Not to Exceed 2000 words)
  • Brief description of the proposed project
  • Rationale and goals for the project: Within the context of the program/course, outline the pedagogical impact on students and the contribution the project will make to the course or program. Outline how the project will enhance student learning.
  • If applicable, a detailed description of the OER.
  • Describe how the teaching and learning literature in this area has guided your project direction
  • Student population impacted
  • Sustainability of project

The following must be appended to your OER Grant Application Form:

  • List of sources consulted from the literature
  • Detailed project timeline
  • List of additional resources
  • Teaching Unit Support – Letter from Head of Department
  • Detailed Budget

Submission Process

  • Grant application requirements must be submitted as one full package, on Friday, March 6 at 11:59 p.m, one of two ways:
  1. Electronic submission applications can be emailed to: CLT@dal.ca
  2. Hard copy submission applications can be delivered to: Centre for Learning and Teaching, Killam Library, Suite G90

Selection Criteria

  • The project will significantly contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning in the stated context.
  • The project has clear and achievable aims (i.e., the proposal identifies an important teaching/learning challenge or issue that the project will address, clearly states the purpose of the project, and defines realistic and achievable outcomes.)
  • The project will result in impactful and sustainable benefits to students resulting in deep learning.
  • The proposed budget is fully justified and in line with the aims and time-line of the project.
  • The project has the support of the applicant’s Dean or Department Head.

Any questions or requests for feedback on proposals in development may be directed to:

Suzanne Le-May Sheffield, Ph.D.
Director, Centre for Learning and Teaching
Tel: (902) 494-1894 | Email: Suzanne.Sheffield@Dal.Ca

Collective Book Launch at the MacRae Library – February 5

by Stephanie Rogers, originally appeared in the Faculty of Agriculture News

A ‘fab four’ from the Faculty of Agriculture—with four very diverse research programs—will celebrate recent publications (in book form) through a collective book launch hosted by the Dalhousie Libraries at the MacRae Library.

The book launch will take place in Room 219 of the Student Learning Commons (SLC) at MacRae Library, on the Dal Agricultural Campus in Bible Hill, near Truro, Wednesday, 5 February 2020, beginning at 1 pm.

Dal-AC’s Writing Centre Advisor, Dr. Patricia Cove, Business prof Dr. Chris Hartt, social scientist Dr. Kathleen Kevany, and recently retired from Dal Humanities prof and poet Dr. Deborah Stiles, all from the Faculty of Agriculture, will be speaking briefly about, and reading from, their newly published works.

The event is free and open to all and will include refreshing food and drink provided by the authors’ home department. Authors will also be available at the close of the reading (2 pm) for book signing as books are available at the event for purchase.  For more information, contact Stephanie Rogers at S.Rogers@Dal.ca or any of the four authors via their Dal email addresses. For more about each of the books, please read below:

Dr. Patricia Cove, Italian Politics and Nineteenth-Century British Literature and Culture (Edinburgh:  Edinburgh University Press, 2019)

Patricia Cove’s book examines the intersections of nationalism and internationalism through case studies illuminating the relationships between the Italian unification movement and nineteenth-century British literature and print culture. Her study argues that forging a new state demands both making and unmaking; as Italian unification re-mapped Europe’s geopolitical reality, it also reframed how the British saw themselves, their politics, and their place within Europe.

Dr. Christopher M. Hartt, Connecting Values to Action: Non-Corporeal Actants and Choice (Bingley, UK:  Emerald, 2019)

Christopher Hartt’s study explores the role of non-corporeal actants on the very real consequences of decisions. The book contains chapters analyzing a wide range of elements, including death-defying free climbers, indigenous people facing the loss of their culture, and corporate figures responding to the #MeToo movement.

Dr. Kathleen M. Kevany, Plant-Based Diets for Succulence and Sustainability (London, UK:  Routledge, 2020)

Kathleen Kevany has edited as well as co-authored and authored studies in this collection, a work which focuses on plant-based diets as interconnected strategies toward health, environment and equity. The systems analysis text addresses the ways in which plant-based diets may simultaneously lighten the load on bodies, wallets, and the planet, at the same time serving to improve human, animal, and planetary health and reverse global warming.

Dr. Deborah Stiles, Burninghouse (Jolicure, NB: Anchorage Press, 2020)

Burninghouse, a retrospective of mainly previously published work focused on the intersection of women’s experience, feminism, and the foundations of the planetary ecological crisis, is the third work of poetry by poet/former farmer/recently-retired-from-Dal associate professor in humanities, Deborah Stiles.

Thinking about OERs beyond cost savings, a public lecture by Brett McCollum

Thursday, February 20, 2–3 p.m.
Room 2902, Killam Library or attend online
Please indicate your preference when registering: https://dal.libcal.com/event/3539991
To find Room 2902 in the Killam Library: https://vimeo.com/221249919

The adoption of quality OERs is reshaping HiEd classrooms, lowering the cost and furthering the democratization of learning. However, there is also a movement of disengagement with text-based learning that threatens to undermine the impact of open textbooks. Most learners are no longer reading for class or leisure (McCollum, 2018). When course content is summarized through lecture slides, learners express little incentive to read the textbook (Yonker & Cummins-Sebree, 2009). If no one is reading the course textbook, its democratization does not have the intended impact.

In this session, Dr. McCollum will share results from an iterative pedagogical redesign to motivate improved reading habits and familiarity with course terminology and communication styles (McCollum, 2016). He will discuss his experience participating in the OER community (Larsen et al., 2017), his strategies for re-engaging students with their textbook, and his research that shows it is peer relationships — more so than course content — that incentivizes good reading habits (McCollum & Morsch, submitted). Along the way, he will explore why experts in teaching and learning advocate for the continued inclusion of text-based learning in the modern classroom. He will also examine the purpose of the textbook in the learning experience and how OERs can benefit students in more ways than just their wallets.

Biography:

Brett McCollum is a Professor of Chemistry at Mount Royal University, a Nexen Scholar of Teaching and Learning, the education columnist for the Canadian Chemical News, and an Associate Editor of LibreTexts, the highest ranked and most visited online open education resource textbook project. He is the Chair of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Canada, a Board member of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, and the MRU Board of Governors’ University Teaching Chair in Educational Leadership.

McCollum has published over 30 papers and book chapters on chemistry education research, SoTL, and muon spin spectroscopy. His research has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculty Associations Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award (2012), a Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award (2015), and the MRU Undergraduate Research Supervision Award (2019). McCollum was recently named one of Canada’s 3M National Teaching Fellows, the most significant honour in higher education teaching.

This lecture is presented by Dalhousie Libraries and the Centre for Learning & Teaching. 

 

Welcome, Deborah Hemming

Deborah HemmingWe are pleased to introduce Deborah Hemming, our new limited term Learning & Instruction Librarian. Deborah will be at the Dal Libraries until October 31.

Deborah has worked as a librarian at Simon Fraser University and as a research and innovation coordinator at Acadia. In 2016/17, Deborah worked as a reference assistant in the Killam Library while she completed her Master of Library and Information Studies degree. Deborah also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Arts, both in English.

Deborah is a published author. Her novel Throw Down Your Shadows is published by Vagrant Press and will be released in June of this year.

Please join us in welcoming Deborah!

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