The Brown University Library will migrate to a new course reserves platform, called Course Reserves, in spring 2023, replacing OCRA. The new service integrates directly with Canvas and the Library’s catalog (BruKnow) and online journals and databases. Instructors can easily create, maintain, and share course reading lists with students. Directions to add the Course Reserves link to your Canvas class.
Participate in the Fall 2022 Pilot
Feedback from Course Reserves users is crucial! We invite instructors to participate in the fall 2022 pilot. You will have the opportunity to use the new service and provide feedback to help shape the ways the service will operate.
Instructors who have previously used OCRA
Your OCRA classes can be migrated directly into Course Reserves. We will help you to transfer a previously taught course using OCRA into Course Reserves.
Instructors who have not used OCRA
We’ll work with you on building your course reserve list and in making sure students have everything they need when classes get started.
Please contact the reserves team at rock-reserves@brown.edu for assistance with setting up your course using Course Reserves or OCRA, or for more information on participating in the pilot
Benefits of the New Course Reserves System
Instructors
- Create lists of citations from a range of sources: electronic Library resources, streaming video, websites, textbooks, journals, and more
- Promote student engagement by enabling features that allow students to recommend resources and post comments
- Easily update content and reuse elements or duplicate whole lists for other courses
- Allow selected collaborators to edit and manage lists
Students
- Find all course readings in one place, recommend resources, and post comments for discussion
- Access resources directly from the LMSCanvas – no separate log-in credentials needed
- Mobile friendly
- Direct access to articles