The following resources have been provided for librarians, instructors, faculty, and other educators interested in learning more about PILOT.

• What is PILOT?
• Who is PILOT designed for?
• What research skills are taught in the modules?
• How long are the modules?
• How do students access PILOT?
• Do students have to register in order to access PILOT?
• Do instructors need to register before sending their students to PILOT?
• How do the quizzes work?
• How do students prove they have completed a module?
• How can instructors use PILOT with their courses?
• Does PILOT replace library instruction?
• What does the cookie do?

What is PILOT?

PILOT is a self-paced interactive tutorial designed to introduce LRCCD students to a variety of important concepts related to the use of information resources in an academic setting. PILOT is intended to help students maximize their ability to effectively use LRCCD libraries' information resources and the World Wide Web.

Who is PILOT designed for?

PILOT is designed for students who need to acquire information literacy skills. It is also for students taking classes with a writing or research component.

What research skills are taught in the modules?

Each of the six modules in PILOT is designed to teach a different aspect of information literacy skills:

• Module One: Identifying Sources explains types of information sources that can be used to answer personal interest or research questions.
• Module Two: Choosing Topics explains pre-searching activities.
• Module Three: Finding Articles explains how to use periodical databases to locate articles for research.
• Module Four: Searching LOIS explains how to use LOIS, the library catalog for LRCCD libraries.
• Module Five: Using the Web explains how to get the most out of searching the web.
• Module Six: Citing Sources explains citing information sources, plagiarism, and copyright.

How long are the modules?

Each module is designed to take less than 60 minutes from registration through the final quiz. Actual time spent on each module will vary depending on the student's familiarity with the topics.

How do students access PILOT?

Students can access PILOT 24/7 on any computer with an Internet connection. They can complete the tutorial on their own time outside of class.

Do students have to register in order to access PILOT?

If students intend to send their quiz results to their instructors, they need to register at the beginning of PILOT so PILOT knows who is taking the tutorial. If they are interested in taking the tutorial but don't want to send their quiz results to anybody, then they can choose the Guest Users option at the beginning of PILOT which does not require them to register. Guest users have full access to the tutorial content and the quizzes, but they don't have the option to send their quiz results to an email address.

Do instructors need to register before sending their students to PILOT?

No, instructors don't need to register in PILOT. They can send their students to PILOT any time without consultation with the librarians.

How do the quizzes work?

At the end of each module is a brief self-assessment section or quiz. Quizzes are no longer than 10 questions. As students answer each question, they will immediately get a response. The final quiz page will give them a summary of their answers and the percentage correct. Students may take the quiz as many times as they like. However, they must complete the quiz each time before they can click on the Retake Quiz button to restart the quiz.

How do students prove they have completed a module?

Students can send their quiz results to their instructors to prove that they have completed certain PILOT modules. If they intend to do so, they need to go through the registration process at the beginning of PILOT. Only registered users are able to email their results to their instructors.

Unregistered guest users can take the tutorial, but they won't be able to email their quiz results. All users have the option to print out their quiz results.

What does the cookie do?

The cookie allows us to collect general statistics about the student responses to the quiz. It also allows the quizzes to function properly. This cookie is sent back just to our server and erased from the students' computers when they logout.

How can instructors effectively use PILOT with their courses?

Instructors can refer their students to PILOT at any time during a course. However, we recommend that students complete PILOT before they begin their research. Students can complete PILOT on their own time and submit their quiz results to their instructors.

Instructors may also consider offering extra credit to students taking PILOT as many have done with our Drop-in Library Workshops. We strongly suggest that students be required to pass the PILOT quizzes with a score of at least 85% or better. Students may retake a quiz as many times as they want to improve their scores.

Does PILOT replace library instruction?

No! The SCC Library continues to offer drop-in orientations and course-related library instruction. We encourage instructors to incorporate a library session into their syllabi. Timing is important! Ideally, instructors should have their students complete PILOT and supplement it with face-to-face library instruction after students have received an assignment. Research has shown that

• Students learn best and retain most when they need the information.
• Library instruction is more effective when the course instructor is present.
• Library instruction is more effective when coordinated with a class assignment.

Instructors can request a library instruction session online.