EasyBib School Edition - Educators

Educator User GuideEasyBib School Edition

Getting Started Using EasyBib

EasyBib subscriptions can be setup one of two ways:

1. Using your schools IP address. This is called IP Authentication

2. Using a unique coupon code for access.

We will show you how to register and login using both methods. If you are not sure how your

subscription is setup, please your account manager or Laura Bryant at (212) 674 6738.

EasyBib subscriptions can be accessed from anywhere.

Getting Started with IP Authentication

Registering from IP authenticated school computers instantly gives all users premium access.

Creating an account allows users to save work and access it from anywhere!

Schools setup with IP Authentication must have all students

register at the school, before accessing from home.

• Go to www.easybib.com

• Click on Register.

• Fill in the information fields,

leaving coupon code blank.

• Click Register!

http://www.easybib.com/

Getting Started with Coupon Codes

When you setup your subscription, you should have received a coupon code unique to your

school.

Coupon codes only need to be entered once to tie a user to your

subscription. Coupon codes can be entered from anywhere.

Register using your code:



• Fill in the information fields,

include your unique coupon

code

• Click Register!


Getting Started using Third Party Login

Using a third party login means that users don’t need to create a new password specifically for

EasyBib. It allows them to use their existing accounts on other sites to access.

Users can register using existing accounts through third party

services such as Google, AOL, Yahoo, OpenID and Facebook.



• Click on the button for the

third party you would like to

use. This will open a new window

to put in your login information.

• Click Register!

Please note: If a third party, such as Facebook, is blocked at your school, students won’t be able to use it for

login from the school.


Getting Started - LoginOnce a user is registered, they can login to their account from

anywhere.


• Click on Login.

• Fill in your EasyBib account information or select the

third party account you used to register with.

• Click Login!


Create Projects to Organize Assignments

Each project is comprised of three areas: Bibliography, Notebook

and Paper.

To start an assignment, you must first

create a project.

• Click New Project.

• Name your project and choose the

citation style for your bibliography.

• Click Create.

Manage Student Projects with Folders

Project folders allow you to organize your own projects and those

shared with you by students.

• Click New Folder.

• Name your folder and choose the

level of permissions.

• Private folders are for

organizing your own work, other

users can’t save to them.

• Public folders allow students to

save work into them.

• Click Create!

Sharing projects to a Specific Folder

Project folders allow you to organize your own projects and those

shared with you by students.

• Click Share for designated project.

• Enter the e-mail of the user you want

to share with.

• Select the correct permissions.

• Select the folder from the available

list for that user.

• Click Share!

You can also drag projects directly into folders, using the icon below the star next to the project name.

Accessing the Bibliography

EasyBib creates a separate bibliography for each project a user

creates.

From the All Projects page, click Bibliography for the project you would like to work in.

Creating citations in the Bibliography

EasyBib’s citation tool allows users to intuitively create citations.

Click Bibliography for the project you want to create citations for.

EasyBib offers the ability to cite 59

different source types. Users can site

using:

• Manual entry - users manually enter all

the information into each citation form.

• Auto-cite – Users enter a key piece of

information, such as a book ISBN or a journal

article DOI, and we pull the information for the

source into the form. This is available for 22

types.

Want to require students to use manual entry? You can turn off Auto-cite from your School Admin account.

Creating citations with Auto-Cite

Users can search for the source’s information, select the correct

source, verify the information matches and Create Citation.

Want to require students to use manual entry? You can turn off Auto-cite from your School Admin account.

Creating citations with Manual EntryEasyBib’s citation form makes it simple for users to create

citations and also offers help as needed.

Using Manual entry, user must

• select the correct medium tab

• fill in each field of the citation form

• click Create Citation.

LearnCite box appears as users move through the fields,

showing how the citation is being created and providing

additional help.

Adding Annotations to CitationsEach citation form has an Add Annotation button, allowing users to

include annotations they want to show in their bibliography.

Click Add Annotations for the text box to appear. Information filled in here will show up

as part of the citation. Click Create Citation when finished.

Viewing a Bibliography List

Each citation is saved and added to your bibliography list once

created. Citations automatically appear in alphabetical order. More

citations can be added directly from this view as well.

Creating Parenthetical Citations

MLA and APA style formats allow users to create the parenthetical

citation that they may need to include in their papers.

Click Parenthetical link underneath a citation to

make the parenthetical wizard appear. Use the wizard to add any additional

information required, such as page

numbers. Then copy and paste the

formatted citation into a paper.

Creating Footnotes in Chicago/Turabian

Chicago & Turabian style formats require that users have footnotes

as their in-text citation. EasyBib allow users to create footnotes to

include in their papers.

Click Footnote link underneath a citation to make

parenthetical wizard appear.

Use the wizard to add any additional information

required, such as page numbers. Then copy and

paste the formatted citation into a paper. You can

also save footnotes in EasyBib.

Switching Citation Styles

EasyBib allows a user to seamlessly switch from MLA to APA to

Chicago/Turbaian.

Click on the desired citation style to change the format for the entire bibliography.

Sorting a Bibliography List

Citations automatically appear in alphabetical order, but users

have additional sort options.

Click Sort Order to select how the bibliography will be sorted.

Commenting on a Bibliography List

Users can comment directly on projects that have been shared

with them. This enables teachers to provide valuable feedback to

students or allows for easy peer-review.

Click Comments link underneath a

citation to make the text box appear.

Click the blue comment button to

save your feedback.

Printing and Saving Bibliographies

EasyBib allows a users many options for printing and saving the

bibliographies for turning them in.

Click Export or Print to view and select the options available.

To save to Google Docs or SkyDrive, you must have an account. You will be

prompted to login so that your EasyBib bibliography can save.

Sharing BibliographiesEasyBib allows a users many options sharing.

Email bibliography – allows a user to e-

mail a text copy of their bibliography

through EasyBib to another.

Invite others – allows a user to share

their work. Here they can set edit and

commenting permissions.

Share public link – allows a user to

create a URL that can be accessed by

anyone. Others can see the formatted

works cited list that has been created.

Emailing a BibliographyAutomatically send an email from EasyBib to others. In the email,

there is a link to download a copy of the bibliography and also a

list of citations for copy/pasting.

• Select E-mail bibliography

• Fill in the email address of the person

to receive your bibliography.

The recipient will receive an email

resembling the one below.

Invite Others to a BibliographyAllow others to access a bibliography through their own EasyBib

accounts. Inviting others allows them to edit the bibliography and

leave comments based on the permissions set.

• Select Invite others

• Fill in the email address of the user to

access the bibliography. This email

must be what they used to setup their

EasyBib account.

• Select the desired level of

permissions. Others can view, edit

and/or comment on the work

• Click Share.

Editing is only available for the bibliography. The notebook space is view and comment only.

Share a Public Link to a BibliographyA user to create a URL that can be accessed by anyone. Others can

see the formatted works cited list that has been created.

• Select Share public link

• Copy the link that appears. Users can

share this link anywhere so that

others can view their citations and

links to the sources.

Analytics for a Bibliography

Bibliography analytics give user a general overview of the quality

of their bibliography and helps them identify areas for

improvement.

Click Analyze to see a general evaluation of a bibliography. EasyBib assesses and provides an

explanation of the importance for:

• Diversity of source types

• Database usage

• Website credibility

• Number of sources.

We also include other useful information such as year published, date cited and annotations.

Accessing the Notebook

Easybib Notebook allows users to create virtual notecards and

build outlines, organizing their research. Each project has it’s own

Notebook space.

From the All Projects page, click Notebook for the

project you would like to work in.

If a user is working in a project, click the Notes & Outline tab at the top to

seamlessly switch into the Notebook space for that project.

Creating NotecardsEasybib Notebook allows users to create virtual notecards and

build outlines, organizing their research.

Click New Note and fill in the needed note

card information. Easybib has fields for:

• Title – what is this notecard about

• Source – link this notecard to a

bibliography source for this project

• Evidence from text (direct quote) –

copy/paste or type in text

• Paraphrase

• Comment – provide additional thoughts

or context to how this information will

be used.

• Identifier – information on how to find

this quote such as pages, sections,

paragraph.

Organizing NotecardsEach notecard has organize options to help users synthesize

information and connect supporting ideas to main points.

Click +Organize to view the various ways

to organize notecards.

• Group – users can group information

into main points

• Tags – users can also use tags as a

secondary way to group information

• Color – color coding is a simple visual

way for users to distinguish how

information relates and will be used

Visualize View for Notecards

Each notecard has organize options to help users synthesize

information and connect supporting ideas to main points.

The Visualize view allows users to create notecards and see and arrange them spatially. Notecards

can be moved by dragging and dropping around the space.

Editing Notecards in the Visualize View

Users can edit their notecards, allowing them to add, remove or

simply change the content.

To edit a notecard, double click on the card or select the card and click the Edit

button on the top menu.

Ungrouping NotecardsThe Visualize view allows users to also ungroup notecards. Users

can easily re-order

By dropping one card on another users can create new groups. Double click the title to rename it.

Maximizing Notecardsin the Visualize View

As users create groups to organize information they can still view

the full content of their notecards from the visualize view.

Users can maximize notecards to view their

full content by hovering over the not card and

clicking maximize in the black pop up that

appear.

Ungrouping Notecardsin the Visualize View

Users may find they need to reorganize information as they

continue through the research process. Ungrouping notes allows

them to re-order them later.

Clicking the + on a group of notecards will expand the note card area. From here you

can click on a specific notecard and drag it out of the group area.

Deleting Notecards in the Visualize View

Users may sometimes realize they don’t need a notecard they have

created and want to delete it.

Users can delete notes by:

• Selecting the notecard to be deleted and then click the Delete button on the top menu.

• Hovering over the notecard so the black box appears and then click Delete.

List View for Notecards

List view allows users to see information in linear format. They can

view notes by the groups, tags, sources and dates they have

created cards.

Click List on the side panel and select how to view notes. In the

list view you can see all the details of the notecards.

Editing Notecards in the List View

List view allows users to see information in linear format. Users

can also edit note cards from this view.

Click Edit on the notecard top right corner. This will launch the

notecard editor.

Deleting Notecards in the List View

Users may sometimes realize they don’t need a notecard they have

created and want to delete it.

Users can delete notes by selecting the notecard to be deleted and

then click the Delete button on the top menu.

Restoring DeletedNotecards

Users may sometimes delete a notecard that they later need. Users

can visit the deleted notes area and restore cards back to the

notebook.

Click Deleted Notes on the side panel. Here you can view a list of

the notecards that have been deleted and click Restore to send a

card back into the notebook.

Entering a Thesis in the Notebook

Users can enter their thesis statement to the outline, to help the

stay focused on the main points while building an outline.

Users can double click where it says “Enter your Paper’s thesis

here” to highlight the text and type over it. The text box will expand

to accomadate thesis statements of varying lengths.

Creating a bulletin the Notebook OutlineUsers easily add bullet and organize their points using the outline

space.

Users can click New bullet to create a new item in the outline.

Once the New item appears, double click on it to type over the

existing text.

Re-ordering bulletsin the Notebook OutlineUsers easily re-arrange their bullets as needed.

Users can re-order bullets by

clicking on the bullet and using the

directional arrows on the top menu.

Users can also drag and drop

bullets exactly where they would like

in the outline space.

Deleting bulletsin the Notebook OutlineUsers delete bullets they decide

Users can delete bullets by selecting a bullet and clicking

Delete from the top menu.

Inserting Notecardsin the Notebook OutlineEasyBib allows notecards to be part of the outline, enabling users to

have a clear understanding of how their paper will be constructed.

Users can click on a notecard or group of notecards and drag them into the

outline space. Hovering over the notecard icon in the outline allows users to the

details of the notecards.

Printing NotebookInformation

Users can print their notes and outlines.

Click the Print button on the top menu.

Select the information to be printed.

A new tab will open displaying the

information for printing.

PaperInformation

Users can print their notes and outlines.

Click the Print button on the top menu.

Select the information to be printed.

A new tab will open displaying the

information for printing.

Administrator Access

School Admins will see a red School Admin button located on the top right of the page when logged into

their account. As a school admin you have access to:

EasyBib School Admin panel allows educators to manage their

school’s subscriptions.

Not seeing the School Admin button? Contact your account manager or Laura Bryant at [email protected]

• Student information

• Usage statistics

• Customization

• System Settings

• Authentication Data

Managing Students Using School Admin

Search users by last name, first name or email address. Click the blue Action

button to reset passwords, view projects and remove students from the subscription

The Student tab of the School Admin panel allows educators to

view all students in their subscription, as well as helping reset

passwords, viewing projects and removing students.


Reset Passwords for Users

Under the Students tab, you can locate a user to reset their password.

• To email them a link to reset the password on their own, click Forgot Password.

• To reset the password yourself, click Set Password. Enter a new password and Save!

School admins can reset passwords for any user from the student

page of the admin panel.


View Projects for Users

Under the Students tab, you can locate a user and click See Projects. You will then see a

list of the users projects with links to view the list of citations or view the notebooks space.

School Admins can view all student projects even if they haven’t

been shared from the school admin panel.


Remove a user from subscription

Under the Students tab, you

can locate a user and click

Unlink Student.

You will see a message asking

you to confirm. Click Unlink

Student.

As students transfer to other schools or graduate during the

school year, EasyBib allows you to remove them from your

subscription list.


Upload Students

Under the Students tab,

click Upload students.

EasyBib allows admins to upload a list of students, automatically

setting up each individuals account.


You will see a message page with instructions on how to

setup your file for uploading. Each file should include:

• First name

• Last name

• Email (this can be made up for students without email)

• Password

• Action (add or remove)

Click Choose File to select a file from your hard drive

then click Upload CSV.

LTI Integration

Under the Students tab,

click LTI Integration.

Using LTI integration, school admins can tie EasyBib access to an

LMS platform, such as Blackboard, Moodle or Canvas.


You will see a message page with

instructions on how to setup the integration

for various platforms. EasyBib provides

information that you will need to copy and

paste into your LMS system.

If you have questions, please call us for

further assistance.

Viewing StatisticsSchool Admins can view usage statistics of their school’s

subscription.


Click on Statistics.

Here you can view your school’s usage

statistics, such as the number of users

registered, citations, notes, projects, etc.

Customize to Promote Your Library

Here you will see a page to upload your school logo and fill in links to your

library’s resources. Click Save.

Your homepage and user accounts to help create a two-way flow

between your library resources and EasyBib.

Click the Customization link from the School Admin menu.

Click the EasyBib Logo to go to the homepage and view your customization.


System SettingsSchool Admins can configure their subscriptions to better meet

their school’s needs.


Click on System settings.

Here you can view configure your school

subscription. You change the default citation

style and turn on/off other features.

Authentication Settings

School Admins can view how their school is being authenticated to

access EasyBib.


Click on Authentication.

Here you can view how your school is receiving

access to EasyBib.

• If you are IP authenticated, you will see all

of your IP addresses listed along with the

subscription start and end dates.

• If you have a coupon code, you will see your

coupon code listed with the expiration and

number of licenses.

Technology

EasyBib School Edition - Educators