BATH SPA UNIVERSITY

IntroductionHelping YourLearningAs a ‘teaching-led’ universitywe put a lot of effort intohelping you get the mostfrom your studies. You’ll expect firstrate lecturers, but you’ll also wantmodern, well equipped libraries and IT suites; innovative teachingmethods - and much more!LibrariesEach campus has a library withstock that reflects the courses thatare taught there. At the Bath Schoolof Art and Design, the University hasinvested in equipping a new centrallibrary facility which opened at SionHill in 2009. Here you can seek creativeinspiration from a range of specialistbooks, up-to-date journals andcollections of exhibition catalogues,slides and DVDs.At Newton Park there is acomprehensive collection of books,journals, CD s and DVDs coveringthe wide range of subjects we teach.If you’re an Education student thereis also a wealth of materials to usewhen you are on teaching placementsin schools.As well as traditional librarymaterials there’s also a range of electronic resources such aselectronic journals, electronicbooks and online services to helpyou access high quality informationfor your university work. Bothlibraries benefit from state-of-theart self-service equipment andphotocopying and printing facilities.Study areasThe libraries are divided intoseparate areas for different kindsof study. If you want to work in peacethere are “amber zones” where we ask people to talk quietly and not use mobiles. If you really need to concentrate you can work in a“red zone” where we ask peoplenot to talk or even use personalaudio equipment that might disturb others.However, at other times you’llneed to work with others on groupprojects, so we’ve set aside “greenzones” where you can talk, usemobile phones, eat and drink.Getting helpProfessionally qualified librariansrun sessions that teach you how tofind and use information - helpingyou to produce good quality work butsaving you time as well. We also offerone-to-one tutorials, an electronicenquiry service and advice as andwhen you need it.If you’re a disabled student you’ll get help on an individual basisto make sure we best meet yourlibrary and information needs. Checkour website at: www.bathspa.ac.uk/services/libraryComputer facilitiesThere are several hundrednetworked computers for studentsto use, many in open access roomswhich are available during eveningsand at weekends as well as during the day. You can use thesecomputers for word-processing,spreadsheets, database work,email and access to the Internet.And you’ll find user-friendly onlinehelp pages covering all aspects of IT at the University.There are also specialisedcomputer facilities across thecampuses for subjects such asmusic, art and design, broadcastmedia, GIS. We have both PCs andApple Macs as well as wirelessconnections for laptops.When you become a Bath Spa student you’ll be given your own email account – which you can keep for life!Online learningAs a teaching-led university wemake sure we’re right up to datewith the most advanced teachingmethods, and all students haveaccess to our online virtuallearning environment, ‘Minerva’.Minerva allows your lecturers tosend course materials to you viathe web - and makes these easy for you to find. It also providesvarious other features such asdiscussion boards which allow you to have online conversationswith others from your course, and lets you submit courseworkelectronically.15