In the 5th part of the rapidly becoming epic length (I originally imagined this to be a single post and done) LibGuides tutorial I will discuss how I used or did not use the Utility Boxes.
Documents and Files
The documents and files inserted are PDFs, Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. I have not used this function extensively. Adding handouts as Word documents or PDFs could be useful e.g. how to site sources, critical thinking for websites, etc. The use of adding a PowerPoint is self evident as is an Excel table. Like the Web Link you are given valuable usage statistics.
I have not found a way in which to add Google document or any of the other open office equivalents in the same manner. It is possible to publish the open office document and link to it.
Dates and Events
I have not added Dates or Events to a LibGuide. It didn’t make sense for a one-shot class or for a general introduction to reference sources guide. I am not really sure how this function can be used in a Library context, unless the librarian is meeting with the students more than once. If a public library (very doubtful) decided to buy LibGuides this option might prove valuable.
Interactive Polls/Voting
Of the three Utility Boxes this is the one I had the most fun with and used often. The software makes it simple to design and/or edit a poll.
Everybody not just the LibGuide author can see the results of a poll.
It is also possible to make each poll choice a link. I did not use this tool because I couldn’t think of a good way in which to do so in regards to the LibGuides I designed. I do think this could be a great way in which to tailor a LibGuide to a particular patron. Perhaps design a poll in which a student would be linked to websites or other asynchronous instruction tools (Adobe Captivate would be excellent for this) designed to help them navigate an OPAC/database/Google depending on their perceived skill level or create a poll that will take art students to recommended websites depending on their favorite painter or painter they happen do be studying (if they choose Dali they get taken to an excellent website about him).
I also used polls to try and have the LibGuide interact with students. To have the students believe that their opinion is important (which it is).
Utility Boxes are another very useful function offered to LibGuide authors.
Part 6 (really part 7 when including the philosophy of LibGuides) will be on the profile of a LibGuide author. Part 6 will be final post in this series of LibGuide tutorials.
