from ugly duckling to princess
This is the new interface of the Referella referencing system.
Referella: a handy tool for lecturers
Lecturers can include a link to Referella on their eFundi sites.
According to Dr Kristien Andrianatos of the Centre for Academic and Professional Language Practice, the guide supports self-directed learning on the part of students.
When they click on referencing links provided as part of the instructions for assignments, they can access all the referencing information they need. This means that lecturers won’t have to spend additional class time on teaching referencing principles.
The next phase in the development of this exciting system is the completion of its teaching and learning platform, which the team aims to complete by the end of 2020.
The platform will enable students to practise referencing concepts and improve their referencing skills in a safe environment outside of the content module.
Access to a host of resources
Through Referella, staff and students have access to many respected referencing guides.
It hosts the three main referencing styles used by the NWU: the NWU Harvard, NWU Faculty of Law style and the American Psychological Association (APA) style (7th edition) along with other important sources and guides.
Anneke Coetzee of the Ferdinand Postma Library is enthusiastic about the data already generated. She says since Referella made her debut in January this year, they have received nothing but positive feedback from staff and students.
“We are so proud of this new system. Other institutions have also enquired about the possibility of purchasing Referella from us.”
The team who led the development of the new referencing tool
Anneke Coetzee
Dr Kristien Andrianatos
Prof Tobie van Dyk
Zander Janse van Rensbrug
Referella, an energetic and cheerful avatar, wants to make your life easier and show you how to become an expert in all things concerning referencing.
REFERENCING
AT THE NWU -
Referella says not only does correct referencing show that you are an honest person with integrity, but it also adds gravitas to your work. Watch this video to find out what she has to say about the Harvard referencing style.
presented by Referella
We all know that referencing is an essential part of the academic toolkit at the NWU, ensuring the integrity of the university’s work. It can, however, be time consuming and sometimes confusing, especially to less-experienced staff and students.
Well, with the help of Referella, a character who is part of an online referencing tool, those days of hard labour and toil are over.
Thanks to a joint collaborative effort between the staff of the NWU’s Academic Literacy subject group and Library and Information Services, it is now much easier to identify reliable sources, paraphrase text and use citations correctly in text and in reference lists.
The catalyst that has changed referencing is the new, improved NWU referencing guide, which has been reworked and redesigned.
Referella – the ‘princess’ of referencing
Prof Tobie van Dyk, director of the School of Languages, says the new approach to supporting staff and students is more than just a guide. It is an interactive educational tool on an online platform that makes navigating issues around referencing more exciting, much easier and even fun.
The new referencing tool was developed after strategic funding was approved.
The team who led the development include Tobie, Dr Kristien Andrianatos of the Centre for Academic and Professional Language Practice, Anneke Coetzee of the Ferdinand Postma Library and Zander Janse van Rensburg, manager of the Writing Centre.
Taking the sting out of referencing
“No-one has to struggle with referencing issues on their own anymore,” says Tobie, who would like readers to meet Referella. A lively and friendly avatar, she is also authoritative enough to ensure that students understand the importance of accurate and legitimate referencing, and engage fully with the learning content.
Referella, whose name is a play on Cinderella, the fairy tale character, appears in a number of videos that guide users through each step of the referencing process. One of her main tasks is teaching users how to avoid plagiarism, ensuring the integrity of their hard work.
Kristien explains that these educational videos are always linked to exercises and other guiding materials, so that users are mentored to become experts in all things concerning referencing.
User-friendly for easy navigation
Zander is particularly excited about the fact that although the guide is currently only available in online mode, it will soon be available to use offline as well.
Students can navigate directly to specific referencing information on a host of devices, from computers to their smartphones and tablets. Kristien says they hope that quicker access to information will lead to students applying the referencing principles diligently and correctly.