One member of UCL teaching staff used to hand out paper versions of his reading list for use in class, however he has now changed his practice to use ReadingLists@UCL instead.

During face-to-face teaching, students now add their notes about each reading directly into the online reading list, using their ipads or laptops. Notes against each reading are private to each student and accessible only by them. They can also use the ‘Have you read this?’ buttons on ReadingLists@UCL to organise their reading intentions.

If a printed version of a reading list is still useful you, or they, can export the online reading list to a printable PDF:

• to print the reading list in its existing layout, select ‘Export’ then ‘Export to PDF’
• to print a list of the readings in alphabetical order, use the ‘View bibliography’ button click ‘Export’ then ‘Export to PDF’
• or to view this list in different citation styles: ‘View bibliography’ and select a citation style from the drop-down box ‘Harvard’. If a key citation style is missing, use the ‘Feedback’ button (top toolbar) to request another.

The QR code in the top right hand corner of each printed reading list enables students to return directly to the online version, with all the advantages that brings.

Do let us know about any other exciting ideas you may have, or tell us about innovative ways in which you use your online reading lists. Students, please use the Feedback button on your reading lists to let us know your thoughts!

It is still the exam period, but we are already receiving requests to set up reading lists for the new academic year.  Existing lists will just ‘roll forward’ and an exact copy will be made for 2015-16: your editing rights to the list will remain unchanged so you can continue editing as always.  The old 2014-15 reading list will archive.

To set up a new reading list for a new module, email us or use the online form as usual (for fuller details see the ‘Getting started’ guide on our webpages).  If you are taking over an existing module this summer, then we can give you editing access to an existing reading list. This only involves us sending you an email!

Can I import references?

We have had queries on whether it is possible to import references from bibliographic management software, such as EndNote, RefWorks, Zotero etc.  Some academics already have a library of citations they would like to import into a new module reading list, to save re-typing or bookmarking each resource.

In short, you are able to import and export citations with ReadingLists@UCL, using RIS files which are generally compatible with bibliographic management software.  We have written a starter guide on this which we will shortly add to our webpages; in the interim we always welcome the opportunity to visit you or speak on the ‘phone to help!

For those who manage online reading lists, you will be familiar with the ‘Bookmark button’. It sits in your web browser to click on whenever you see an article, programme or other resource to save into an online reading list – or for later reading.

The increase in websites moving from http to https has caused some problems for bookmarking in certain browsers, or particular versions of browsers. Whilst http websites still bookmark as usual, those beginning https don’t work as well; the current work-around to resolve this involves removing security certificates, which rather impedes the ease of working with reading lists!

Therefore, in the week beginning 19^th January the bookmarking button software will be updated. After the upgrade, the next time you use the button, you will be prompted to update it. This step will be easy to complete, but if you run into any difficulties just get in touch with the TLSS and we will help out, or do it for you.

And for those yet to set themselves up with an online reading list… request a reading list to be set up for your course and you could be adding readings for your students by the end of the day!

ReadingLists@UCL is supported by the TLSS (Teaching & Learning Support Section) of UCL Library Services.

Telephone: 020 7679 2087 (internal ext. 32087) or email us.

UCL Library’s webpages have migrated and launched on Thursday 4th September.

As a result the address for many of our web pages has changed, so please remember to check and update your bookmarks.

For searching for, and accessing, your reading lists, the address remains the same: http://readinglists.ucl.ac.uk

Similarly the web address for Explore does not change. Explore is the library catalogue and resources page from which you can bookmark journals, books and ebooks to add to your reading list.

Here are some key addresses which have changed – the new ones are on the right in blue:

Most often, students find a reading list via their Moodle course, where they simply click on the reading list they need from the Library Resources block.  This block contains a link called ‘Reading list for…’ which links to the reading list with the same course code.

How do you set this up for them?  First request a reading list to be set up using the online form.  In Moodle, turn on the Library Resources block and it will automatically link to the reading list with the same course code.

Students can also access their reading list by searching:

• ReadingLists@UCL using course code or title, or even the academic’s name if this has been added
• the library catalogue Explore

Once students have found their online reading lists they can view them in different ways.

• Use the ‘View bibliography’ button to produce a list of all the readings in alphabetical order, which can be printed (click ‘Export’ then ‘Export to PDF’)…
• … use one of the drop-down boxes to select different citation styles. If a key citation style is missing, use the green ‘Feedback’ button to request another.
• The reading list can be printed out in its existing layout (sign in, select ‘Export’ and then ‘Export to PDF’)
• either of the above options can also be emailed to oneself, to save a copy.
• The ‘Export’ button enables exporting references in different formats: we will cover this in another post, and on our webpage guides.

If you have questions about any of this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Interested to know how frequently your reading lists are being looked at?  Has that important item on your list actually been read by students?  If you are curious,  then try the green “Dashboard”  button at the top of your reading list.

Dashboard is a neat feature that provides some statistics on how many times a resource  has been clicked on, and even provides links to alternative resources for some items.  The Dashboard button is located under the table of contents on your list, and uses a traffic-light colour coding system to indicate frequency of use.  Green for high,  amber for moderate, and red for low resource use.  You can adjust the date range to capture a termly or even weekly snapshot of traffic.

One note of warning: the figures include repeat clicks on the resource, rather than the number of individual students accessing readings, so figures are a rough indicator only.

This can also have more useful applications if you are interested in using this type of feedback as part of your teaching practice.  Check out the Dashboard and let us know if you find it useful, or can think of any improvements!

The annual ‘rollover’ of ReadingLists@UCL is nearly upon us.  Each summer the reading lists have a new copy made for the September term, much like the Moodle snapshot.  This year the rollover is scheduled for the 14th July.  In brief:

• Reading lists for 2013-14 will have an exact copy made for 2014-15, which will publish immediately
• Permission to edit the lists also rolls over, so academics and teaching support staff will be able to edit the new lists straight away
• Students and staff will not experience any break in access to their reading lists
• The old version of the reading list (2013-14) will archive shortly after, which means it will vanish from public view but can be ‘re-awoken’ in future years if needed.

Points to note:

• Anything not published on a reading list will not be copied onto the new list: do publish any changes if you wish it to be copied over
• If you would like reading lists removed – for example if a course is no longer being taught – please email us and we can do this straight away
• Similarly, if any courses have updated titles or course codes, just email us to request the details are updated.

If a refresher session on the reading lists would be helpful to remind you how to edit and manage your lists, do get in touch.  The ReadingLists@UCL webpages also have guides and FAQs.