Tag Archives: ALERT Program

01.26.22
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PowerNotes Helps Manage Research Across Multiple Research Services

The GSU College of Law Library recently added PowerNotes (Premium) to its Database List. This is perhaps somewhat misleading as PowerNotes is not a research database, per se, but rather a research outlining and management tool. There is a stripped-down free version of PowerNotes; however, the law library acquired institutional access to its premium service (including unlimited projects and other upgrades) for the GSU College of Law community.

PowerNotes uses a browser extension to help with online research, specifically gathering and keeping track of source materials, and organizing and creating a writing outline. Users can install either the Chrome or Firefox browser extension; these are the only browser options at the moment. Once installed, use your campus email address to create an account. Now, you can create a project and begin searching on a preferred research platform or across the web, generally. PowerNotes works with any webpage you browse, including legal subscription services such as Westlaw Edge, Lexis+, and HeinOnline (which provides a LibGuide on how to use PowerNotes on its platform). This is perhaps its most significant feature– centralizing your research regardless of where the source material resides online.

When users find relevant information, they can highlight the text, save it, assign a topic to it and annotate it. The text is saved with a link back to the source. Citation information is automatically collected and put in a preferred citation format, say bluebook. At any time during the research process, users can revisit their projects and reorganize, rename, or expand their topics and quotes.

PowerNotes has compiled a helpful instructional video library. Also, the law library will host training on PowerNotes on Tuesday, March 1 @ 3:15 PM and Wednesday, March 2 @ 5:10 PM. Both sessions will be 45 minutes and satisfy a topic session for the Law Library’s Applied Legal Experience, Research, & Technology (ALERT) Program.

In the interim, if you have questions or problems accessing PowerNotes, contact Librarian Manion. Do good research.

01.19.22
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The GSU ALERT Program – Why? Why not!

The GSU College of Law Library has just announced its slate of spring ALERT programming… Hooray!  This semester’s line-up includes some real bangers, with sessions covering PowerPoint, Health Law Research, the Bluebook, and Fastcase!

But, as a law student, you maybe wondering: what exactly is the ALERT program?  Where did it come from?  What might distinguish ALERTS from some of the other programming available at the college of law, and why might you choose to attend?  I’m glad you asked because that is the purpose of this hea’ blog post. 

Where can I access the information on the ALERT Program?

See https://gastate.view.usg.edu/d2l/home/1188316

How long has the ALERT program been around?  Where did it come from?

Legend has it that the ALERT program began sometime in the fall of 2015, when then Librarian and now interim director of the Georgetown Law Library (yes that Georgetown) Austin Williams pitched the program as a way to provide supplementary research and technology training to the GSU law community.  Yours truly took it over in Spring 2016 and it has been rolling ever since. 

What is the ALERT Program? 

Basically, it’s a series of four presentations given per semester, twice (we do each twice, once early and once late.)  If you complete at least six you receive a digital badge as soon as you finish and a certificate at the awards ceremony before you graduate.  They generally last around 45 minutes with time to answer the quiz at the end.

What if I can’t make it to the in-person session?

Lucking, there are also ONLINE ALERT sessions.  Just see the ALERT I College Page for exact directions.  Generally, you have to watch the video lesson and take the quiz.  Easy peazy, one, two, threezy.

But why? 

That’s really the question isn’t it?  Why take a minimum of six hours of your life to learn even more (I know – my brain feels full daily and I’m not even in law school.)  There are actually exactly three reasons why.

  1. It looks good on your resume.  When I interview people to be GRA’s in the law library, I’m always looking for interesting things to ask about.  For an interviewer, this is that type of thing.  Moreover, when they do ask, it gives you a chance to brag about yourself a little bit.  When asked, being able to say something like “ Oh, that’s a supplementary educational program I CHOSE to participate in because I wanted to learn more about legal research and technology.”  Saying things like  “We’ve done things above and beyond what is expected from the 1L class like business research, legislative history, and productivity tools lessons” makes you look motivated and engaged. 
  2. You’ll actually learn things.  There is only a finite amount of information that you can conceivably include in a one-credit Legal research class.  These sessions are designed to build upon the foundation you started in research methods. 
  3. It builds a foundation for learning even more.  Again, we can’t really hope to teach you any big subjects in around 45 minutes.  But, introductions are important.  Simply knowing that a certain type of resource or technology exists will allow you to seek it out later, even if you don’t remember exactly how to use it.

So, Just do it!

If you have a free 40 minutes here and there, why not ALERT!  It’s a fun(ish), easy way to kill time between classes.  Lots of them are also available online.  If you have any questions about procedures, topics, or really anything else, you can send me an email at pparsons@gsu.edu

01.10.22
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Welcome Back!

That winter break of celebration and relaxation? Hope you were able to take full advantage, because it’s now but a memory, and we find ourselves back for another semester.

But that’s not a bad thing. From personal experience, I can tell you that law school tends to get less stressful as you go along. That initial 1L shock wears off as you get more familiar with its overall format.

That’s good news if you’re hoping to make a triumphant return and improve your grades! This very blog has some materials that will help you achieve that goal, such as this excellent post on effectively managing that most precious commodity, your time. Similarly, it’ll improve your temporal efficiency if you’ve got your course outlines in order from the very start, so you may want to take a look at this post on powering up those outlining skills.

Or maybe you’d rather just sit back and take advantage of the ‘calm before the storm’ by catching up with your friends? That’s cool, but don’t forget to also catch up on some enlightening and entertaining GSU Law Library content that’s not so focused on super-charging your studies? If you’re a history buff or an Atlanta aficionado, you’ll love this highly informative post on the rich history of Georgia’s African-American legal community. Another Blackacre Times ‘greatest hit’ comes in the form of this intriguing rundown of Abe Lincoln’s legal career. And don’t miss this highly amusing post on courts citing talk show hosts, folk singers, Jedi knights, and other unconventional authorities in their opinions.  This recent post on the law of the SEC will even get you ready for the big game!

Of course, as your classes gear up again, you know the library’s got your back. We’re offering the same great services to make your life easier and improve your legal research skills, such as course reserves, online study aids, and the ALERT program (starting up on Tuesday, Jan. 18th and Wednesday, Jan. 19th w/ a can’t-miss session on rocking PowerPoint). If you see one of your favorite librarians, don’t forget to say hello! We’re here to help. Welcome back!

01.14.21
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ALERT PROGRAM: SPRING 2021 LINEUP

Happy New Year, and welcome back! We are excited to announce the spring 2021 ALERT sessions.

The spring ALERT program topics and dates:

What is the Alert Program?

ALERT (Applied Legal Experience, Research, & Technology) is a non-credit program that provides law students additional opportunities outside of the College of Law’s curriculum to learn legal research and technology skills.

By completing the ALERT Program, students can demonstrate to potential employers that they have obtained practice ready skills. Students will have their entire law school term to complete the program.

Levels of Completion:

With Distinction: Complete 6 Topics
With High Distinction: Complete 8 Topics
With Highest Distinction: Complete 10 Topics

For more information, or to RSVP please see: http://lawlibrary.gsu.edu/services/alert-program/.

04.14.20
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ALERT 2020 Certificate Awardees

ALERT Certificate

The library is pleased to announce our list of 2020 ALERT Program Awardees.

The Applied Legal Experience, Research, & Technology (ALERT) Program is a non-credit program that provides students with additional opportunities outside of the College of Law’s curriculum to learn advanced legal research and technology skills. Each student listed below will graduate in the Spring of 2020 having completed a predetermined number of ALERT sessions during their careers at the Georgia State College of Law.

Each session is approximately 1 hour and covers an advanced topic in legal research, technology, or an intersection of the two.  Students are awarded different levels of distinction according to the following requirements:

  • With Distinction: 6 Topics completed
  • With High Distinction: 8 Topics Completed
  • With Highest Distinction: 10 Topics Completed

Now without further ado, the 2020 ALERT Program Awardees are:

Highest Distinction

  1. Ovidiu Balaj
  2. Andrew Coffey
  3. Latrevia Collins
  4. Emily Gaston
  5. Timothy Graves
  6. Richard Quarles
  7. Justin Showalter

High Distinction

  1. John Hooven
  2. Tiffany Williams

Distinction

  1. Julia Collins
  2. Kristi Gibbs
  3. Tyler Graff
  4. Mark Hunter
  5. Courtney LeBeau