Testimonials

Student Testimonials

UDLib/SEARCH was beneficial for me because it helped me secure proper critical articles for my AP Literature Poetry class. Without it I would have been extremely lost, but thankfully I had such an incredible resource. This resource helped me discover a lot of incredible evidence and background for my project. With my research, I was able to incorporate many things I would not have been able to find without UDLib/SEARCH. This resource made the entire process more efficient.

—Student at Alexis I. duPont High School

UDLib/SEARCH was extremely helpful in my search for critical articles involved in writing my AP Literature research paper.  Through the use of the databases and encyclopedias, I was able to obtain multiple scholarly articles that provided me with the information necessary for analyzing a contemporary poet.  The sources provided me with quality evidence that I could incorporate into my research paper.

—Student at Alexis I. duPont High School

The UDLib/SEARCH Databases were very useful throughout my time as a high school student. I found it extremely beneficial for my AP Literature & Composition research paper that was assigned for our poetry unit. UDLib/Search helped me find critical articles on my poet—Maya Angelou—and helped me with both primary and secondary sources. It was a key resource for my research paper and I’m grateful to have had it at my disposal.

—Student at Alexis I. duPont High School

The databases are wonderful.  I use them at home all the time if I need more research for a big project. I know I can count on them, not just for biographies, but for everything.  I use them to look up historical events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War. I know the sources are already checked and are good for me to use.  It’s quick, it’s easy, and I love using them.

—8th grade student at Alfred G. Waters Middle School

It is hard to find good information on the Internet so using the databases definitely makes my research easier.

—8th grade student at Alfred G. Waters Middle School

Being able to use the databases from home is awesome.  It is great to know that they are accurate and I don’t have to worry about getting all the junk that is on the Internet.

—8th grade student at Alfred G. Waters Middle School

I used the World Book Atlas to get a map of a country for a project. It was so easy to find and exactly what I needed.

—8th grade student at Alfred G. Waters Middle School

Educator Testimonials

The UDLib/SEARCH databases have been one of the most useful tools for my science students when doing research projects in my Environmental and Earth Science classes. The In Context: Environmental Studies link on the UDLib/SEARCH database page has always been their first choice whether it has been for alternative energy projects, pollution and climate change or ecosystem research. This database has been the single most helpful resource for me and my students for many years and will continue to be for many more.

—Environmental/Earth Science Instructor at Alexis I. du Pont High School

Currently I teach tenth and eleventh grade English at Delcastle Technical High School.  University of Delaware Library Sources [UDLib/SEARCH] is an important resource that I use several times a semester.

For starters, my students use the SIRS Issues Researcher for their Argument PowerPoints and Honors Global Issues Argument Essays.  The database helps students turn the topics into arguments, provides a timeline and background information, and global impact data.

In addition, all of my tenth grade students use In Context: High School, and all of the online encyclopedias for their background project on the novel Things Fall Apart.

With all of the databases, my students are able to find reliable sources and know how to cite them using APA format.  The APA information is available at the end of every article.

Please continue to fund the databases in the future.  The resources save students and teachers valuable instructional time and prepare them for post-secondary education.

—English Instructor at Delcastle Technical High School

The way that UDLib/SEARCH is embedded within the Schoology platform has allowed us [during COVID-19] to continue to prepare students through high quality research. Without access to UDLib /SEARCH, our ability to continue academic research would be limited. As we face a year that will probably include a need for remote learning at some level, UDLib/SEARCH will be key to meeting our students educational needs.

—English Teacher (Department Chair) at Mount Pleasant High School

As the library media specialist, I have seen an increase in teachers referring students to UDLib/SEARCH for remote learning [during COVID-19]. When at school, it is easier to guide students when researching online. However, when students are home, it is harder to monitor students and guide students to only use websites that we can trust. Pointing students to the resources in UDLib/SEARCH has helped ensure that our students are accessing resources that we know are credible and reliable for our students’ learning.

As a refresher for our students, we have created screencasts showing students how to access and use UDLib/SEARCH for their specific information needs. We have also included the eBooks provided through UDLib/SEARCH in our “DHS Virtual Library” for students to access at their leisure. UDLib/SEARCH has been an invaluable resource to ensure our students are getting quality information during this time, and it would be difficult ensuring our students were accessing quality information without it.

—Library Media Specialist at Dover High School

As a teacher of AP Research, I find UDLib/SEARCH invaluable! My students use your databases, starting with summer work to build their background knowledge about a topic they would like to explore deeply. Once the school year starts, the AP Research curriculum requires students to really immerse themselves in peer-reviewed journal articles on their topic. Especially given the variety of topics that students end up working on, I cannot imagine that our building budget could support these students without UDLib/SEARCH!

I have also personally used your databases for teaching ideas and my own professional development, especially when I was taking classes to earn my M.Ed.  Thank you so much for providing such wonderful services to Delaware students and teachers!

—AP Research Teacher at Brandywine High School

UDLib/SEARCH has been such an invaluable tool during the school year as students learn to support arguments using credible sources.  However, as students have gone online [due to COVID-19], it has been instrumental in offering meaningful instruction.  Students have been able to conduct independent research projects, and UDLib/SEARCH supports them not only by offering countless resources but also with the tools for developing good research skills like citing sources.  I have also been able to support struggling readers by using lexiles.  The connection to Google Docs has been so great for kids learning how to organize their research.  I can’t imagine teaching without it!

—English Teacher, AP Seminar at Concord High School

Thanks to UDLiB/SEARCH, my seniors were able to continue with their senior research paper during the stay-at-home order, and my sophomores were able to engage in online debates.

We depend on UDLib/SEARCH every year to give our students access to credible, relevant sources.  Without it, our students would not be adequately prepared for college research requirements.  

—English Teacher/Co-Advisor, National Honor Society at Concord High School