Library Instruction forDistance Students:Learning from Past Experiences

Rae Jesano, George Hack, Nancy Schaefer,Linda Butson, Mary Edwards, Nita FerreeHealth Science Center LibrariesUniversity of Florida

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Library Instruction forDistance Students

Background on Distance Learning Historical perspectives Current activities Future plans Conclusions

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Degree Programs Served

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1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Pro

gram

s se

rved

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Current UF Distance Programs

Audiology Forensic Sciences Forensic Toxicology Nursing Occupational Therapy Working Pharmacist PharmD Traditional PharmD at Remote Sites

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UF Distance Programs:Future Plans

More programs Physical Therapy Public Health

Broaden geographical scope Gain accreditation in other states Globalization

Library Instruction:Historical Perspectives

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Face-to-Face Instruction Types

On-campus orientations Off-campus orientations

Problems On-campus

Information overload for students Lack of time

Off-campus Coverage for traveling librarian

Both Inconsistency

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Program or Course Pages Links to HSC Libraries’ website Electronic handouts or documents Problems

Out of date/incorrect information Librarian couldn’t update information Librarian couldn’t access information

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Library-Hosted Tutorials & Help In conjunction with face-to-face Standard help sheets, webpages

and tutorials Problems

Not linked to program/course pages Students unaware of existence

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Course Integrated Video Stream

Course integrated videotaped lectures 55 minutes

Problems No direct video feed to computer Too long

Students didn’t watch or understand Demonstrated by student questions

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Course IntegratedNarrated PowerPoint

Labor intensive Too long

Students didn’t watch or comprehend Spent time answering basic questions Answered questions covered

Students had trouble printing out for reference

Library Instruction: Current activities

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Distance Learning Librarian

Works with Liaison Librarian, Program Faculty and Library’s Education Coordinator

Distance Learning Portal General information Links to HSC Libraries’ tutorials Program-specific pages www.library.health.ufl.edu/distance/

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Education Coordinator PhD - Educational Technology Coordinates with librarians and faculty Works with librarians

Technology Instructional design

Creates packaging for tutorials www.library.health.ufl.edu/george/OT/

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Online Flash Tutorials Modular

Program/Course Integrated General Library tutorials

Advantages Easier to navigate More appealing to students Easier to update

Disadvantage Initially time-intensive to create

Library Instruction: Future Plans

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Modular Instruction

Breaking down large units into chunks Gives learners more control of time Gives learners control of sequence Learners can skip previously mastered

skills

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Increase Interactivity Increase navigation controls during online

presentations Require learners to navigate through

tutorials instead of only viewing Limit the use of passive delivery such as

slideshows, streaming video, or static screenshots coupled with text

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Distributed Practice Skills must be practiced over time to

maximize learning Avoid the one-shot orientation to using

library resources Develop skills over time with a

combination of online tutorials and other asynchronous methods

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Simplify Learning Objectives Don’t try to teach higher level skills

before learners are ready Online tutorials should focus on the

lower level cognitive skills Higher level skills should be taught

through human interaction, instead of interaction with technology

Conclusions

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Conclusions Library instruction for distance learners is a

constantly evolving product We need to rely on all our resources

Personnel and new technology We need to continue to evaluate this service

based on feedback and student questions

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Rae Jesano MSLS, AHIPHealth Science Center LibrariesPO Box 100206University of FloridaGainesville, FL 32610-0206Phone: 352-392-9175Rae@library.health.ufl.edu