Library orientation in blackboard: supporting online and distance learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Diane L. Schrecker
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
First Year ◽  
Module Structure ◽  
Student Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Video Viewing ◽  
Data Survey ◽  
Online Library

Purpose This paper presents a comprehensive review of the poster session “Library orientation in blackboard: supporting online and distance learners” presented at the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) 2017 conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Design/methodology/approach Development of AU Library Student Orientation in Blackboard is discussed from the initial course proposal up to its completion of first year use. Orientation modules are reviewed and include purpose, organization and technology resources utilized to deliver content. Findings Complete library orientation information including project timeline, marketing, learning management systems (LMS) usage data, survey and assessment outcomes, video viewing statistics and plans for moving forward are provided. Practical implications This paper details steps taken and resources used to develop an online library orientation suitable for any LMS. Project design, orientation module structure and select orientation resources are provided. Originality/value This paper addresses the need for academic library orientation to support online and distant learners by delivering a practical library introduction in Blackboard.

Assessment committees: good practices from ARL libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Brannen ◽  
Sojourna J. Cunningham ◽  
Regina Mays
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Library Assessment ◽  
Current State ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Assessment Activities

Purpose Assessment activities in academic libraries continue to grow as libraries explore assessment endeavors. Ranging from basic stats gathering and reporting to surveys, focus groups, and usability studies and beyond. Many practitioners are finding it necessary to create new processes and programs, with little guidance. The purpose of this paper is to paint a broad picture of assessment activities in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) university libraries with the goal of creating a resource for libraries developing or improving their assessment programs. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed that asked questions about assessment personnel, activities, mission, and website. A total of 113 surveys were sent to academic library members of ARL. Survey results were analyzed to compile a list of recommended good practices for assessment and working with assessment committees in academic libraries. Findings The investigators had a response rate of 43 percent. The open-ended nature of the survey questions allowed for the respondents to specifically narrow down the problems and opportunities inherent in library assessment committees. Originality/value This study takes the temperature of the current state of assessment programs in ARL libraries, demonstrating the growth of assessment programs. It begins to document the practices of these libraries, particularly in regards to the sometimes informal and hard to track use of committees and other in-house collaborations, as a first step toward developing best practices for the field. The results illuminate productive areas for further study, including investigating how to measure a culture of assessment and maximizing impact of assessment information presented on assessment websites.

Delivering equitable distance library services to off-campus users at the University of the Free State in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianda Coetzer ◽  
Patrick Mapulanga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Free State ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Online Library ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived satisfaction of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative approach with open-ended questions that generated some qualitative data. Data has been presented using descriptive statistics in the form of tables, graphs and charts and thematic content analysis for some qualitative data. Findings All learners in this study were adults between 45 and 55 years of age. Of the respondents, 13% lacked online experience, while about 85% had never used online library services and 35% indicated that Google was their primary source of information. The majority of respondents indicated information literacy as a core function of the academic library. High data cost in South Africa came out as one of the major issues affecting distance learners as well as login and password frustrations. The study confirmed computer anxiety, physical discomfort, information overflow and prompt response as some of the perceived challenges and levels of satisfaction respectively of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa. Practical implications The study revealed that a distance learning library policy is of the essence because it helps to put in place rules and regulations that guide the delivery of distance library services. Originality/value The offering of online and distance library services is a fairly new concept to the UFS library. This study bridges the gap between theory and practice regarding the perceived satisfaction of distance users on online library services and how to improve the current practice.

Overcoming imposter syndrome: the adventures of two new instruction librarians

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-342
Author(s):  
Jessica Martinez ◽  
Meredith Forrey
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
First Year ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Imposter Phenomenon

Purpose New librarians rarely feel fully prepared for academic library instruction. This could be attributed to many factors in both Master of Library and Information Science programs and work environments. Imposter syndrome or imposter phenomenon is a common way this insecurity manifests. Imposter phenomenon, first defined in 1978, is an individual’s feeling that they will be exposed as a fraud, regardless of how qualified or knowledgeable they actually are. Throughout the first year as new instruction librarians, the authors tracked their experiences with instruction and the imposter phenomenon. This paper aims to illuminate how imposter phenomenon impacts library instruction, provide suggestions for individual librarians and identify what academic libraries can do institutionally to mitigate feelings of fraudulence among their employees. Design/methodology/approach This paper outlines the history and symptoms of imposter phenomenon, focusing on its presence in libraries. The authors draw on existing literature in psychology and library science, their own experience and a survey of 172 librarians. Suggestions for best practices for easing imposter phenomenon are then discussed based on the experiences of the authors and survey respondents. Findings This paper suggests several ways to ease the feelings of imposter phenomenon among those employed in academic libraries. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on the authors’ experiences, as well as a survey of 172 librarians. The survey was self-selecting, so the results may be skewed, but the themes apparent throughout the responses indicate that imposter phenomenon in libraries is pervasive and warrants further research. Practical implications The recommendations presented in this paper will provide new librarians and library administrators with concrete ways to identify and ameliorate imposter phenomenon among new instruction librarians. Originality/value Though imposter phenomenon has gained popular attention in wider society, extant research has not sufficiently addressed its role in the realm of academic library instruction. Given that most MLIS programs focus on theory rather than practice, finding ways to give new instruction librarians confidence in their positions is an area of research that warrants more exploration.

Training academic library staff using an online learning management system (LMS)

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-240
Author(s):  
Brigitte Bell
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Management ◽  
Online Library

Purpose This column aims to propose the idea of using learning management systems (LMSs) as a platform for online training and development within academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach A background and literature review are used as a basis for these recommendations. Findings The column argues that LMSs possess untapped potential as an effective online library training platform. Originality/value The column proposes further widespread use of LMSs for online training and development in academic libraries, despite a historical lack of use for this purpose.

“Bringing the library to you!”

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 316-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Nicholas ◽  
Jerdaine Sterling ◽  
Rochelle Davis ◽  
Jessica C Lewis ◽  
Faith Mckoy-Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Library ◽  
Great Difficulty ◽  
First Year ◽  
Strategic Partnerships ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Anxiety ◽  
New Locations ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent outreach service efforts of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Main Library in the form of a Hall of Residence Librarian Programme. The aim of the programme was to minimize library anxiety through partnership with the Office of Students Services. Design/methodology/approach – The transition from the secondary to the tertiary level is not always the smoothest for some students. On the islands of the English-speaking Caribbean, such as Jamaica, it can be especially difficult as some matriculants have never used an automated library. These students often experience great difficulty in effectively using the library which may result in them shying away from doing so and thus negatively impact the quality of their work. The UWI, the UWI Main Library, Mona campus, Jamaica has sought to address this challenge through the development of an outreach project to the first-year students entitled the Halls of Residence Librarian (HRL) programme. Findings – This new form of library outreach on The UWI Mona campus has yielded the offering of library services in new locations, strategic partnerships, increased interactions with the first-year students and a greater awareness of these students ' needs. Most importantly, it was very effective in reducing library anxiety among the first-year students. Research limitations/implications – The “low” turnout to Research Rescue was largely attributed to the fact that this programme was entirely optional for the students, and it was not affiliated with any compulsory course or class. There was also the issue of a lack of incentives to boost student attendance at these sessions. Originality/value – This initiative is untested in the English-speaking Caribbean. The paper explores the outreach efforts of the library at the Mona campus of The UWI and seeks to add to the limited body of literature on Academic Library Outreach in the Caribbean.

Valuing orientation efficacy

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-124
Author(s):  
Ruth McPhail ◽  
Ben French ◽  
Keithia Wilson
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Business Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Student Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Academic Role ◽  
Student's Perceptions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to improve the orientation experience of commencing first-year undergraduate business students to better prepare them for the reality of their academic studies through the development and implementation of a Commencing Student-Needs-Centred Orientation Framework. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology of this study used survey analysis and focus groups to explore low orientation efficacy scores from the cohort and resulted in a reconceptualisation and restructure of the existing orientation programme. The new programme was completed and implemented, and student’s perceptions remeasured. Evaluation was performed using sources of data across three semesters. Findings – Intervention success is demonstrated across three semesters by sustained and continuously improving orientation efficacy scores. Overall, student orientation efficacy improved by 19.6 per cent in the first implementation (B, n = 44), and an improvement of 22.8 per cent was seen in the third semester (C, n = 177), when compared to the first semester (A, n = 164). Research limitations/implications – The primary limitation of this study is that the exploratory framework was applied and evaluated only within a single discipline of business, and in one Australian university with a predominantly first-generation student population. Practical implications – The paper is a guide for the design of an orientation day programme informed by an evidence-based framework identifying the transition needs of commencing students entering higher education, which is tested for its efficacy in preparing students for their academic role, and for success. Originality/value – Orientation is an important, yet under-researched aspect of engagement and retention in today’s universities.

Breaking out to break through: re-imagining first-year orientations

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Calderwood Veach
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
First Year ◽  
Academic Unit ◽  
Student Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Orientation Session ◽  
New Students ◽  
Survey Responses

Purpose This paper aims to outline the conceptualization, design and implementation process of an escape room-style game for first-year student orientation sessions hosted by a combined academic unit including a university library, archives and museum. The game can be customized and adapted for a variety of learning environments and purposes. Design/methodology/approach Breakout EDU kits have been used to create escape room-style games to teach curricular content in new and engaging ways. This orientation session was designed to teach new students how to find and use essential collections and resources on each of the unit’s websites by using a fun, collaborative and engaging game. Findings According to post-orientation survey responses, an average of nearly 80% of all new students felt that the Breakout EDU orientation game was either “Moderately Effective” or “Very Effective” in preparing them for their first day of classes. Documented observational assessments further suggest that students had fun playing the game and appreciated the hands-on approach to library orientation. Originality/value Although the use of both digital and non-digital games in library orientations are heavily documented, there has been very little research conducted on the use of escape rooms in this context, and almost no research has been conducted on the use of Breakout EDU kits for library orientations. This paper provides a practical example of how academic libraries can incorporate a customizable and highly engaging escape room-style game into first-year orientation sessions of nearly all sizes.

scholarly journals Building a scalable mobile library orientation activity with Edventure Builder

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Roth ◽  
Dominique Turnbow ◽  
Crystal Goldman ◽  
Lia Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Year Experience ◽  
First Year ◽  
Approximation Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Online Library ◽  
Beta Testing ◽  
E Mail

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the technical aspects of using the Edventure Builder platform to create UC San Diego’s scalable, interactive, online library orientation activity, which was designed for the university’s new First Year Experience program. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines a case study using a successive approximation model for the build process of a mobile library scavenger hunt. Findings – The Edventure Builder software is intuitive, scalable and provides a variety of options to users, including flexibility in question format, a WYSIWYG interface, and branching logic. The main limitation is that analytics is still in beta testing and users must request that data be sent in an Excel spreadsheet via e-mail. Originality/value – This paper is of interest to information professionals who would like to create a mobile library orientation activity using the Edventure Builder platform.

Learners’ perceptions on online library resources at Namibian College of Open Learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 597-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Matheus ◽  
Ruth Abankwah
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Distance Learners ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Open Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resource Center ◽  
Online Library

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the learners’ perceptions on the use of online resources at the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) Yetu Yama Resource Center.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a mixed methods research approach which was also used by other researchers such as Hamutumwa (2014). It enabled the researchers to delve into the topic under study by conducting a survey using self-administered questionnaires to collect data from learners, and a semi-structured interview guide, to collect data from the Librarian, the Director and tutors. The target population for the study was Grade 12 distance learners registered with NAMCOL for the academic year 2016, librarians and tutors. Convenient sampling was used to select 200 Grade 12 distance NAMCOL learners: one Director, one Librarian and five tutors were purposeful selected as they manage the Yetu Yama Resource Centre. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to generate descriptive data, while qualitative data were manually analysed using content analysis. This approach enabled the researcher to identify key themes which emerged from the interviews.FindingsAlmost all the learners (159) opted for printed materials. The challenges experienced by learners included slow internet, as indicated by 78 (39 per cent); limited facilities, 60 (30 per cent); and inability to find relevant information, 46 (23 per cent), coupled with lack of proper guidance on the use of e-resources as indicated by 16 (8 per cent) learners.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to Yetu Yama Resource Center. The results cannot be generalised to all distance learners in Namibia.Practical implicationsThe results of this study could guide librarians in Namibia when planning and/or upgrading e-resources.Social implicationsOnce the learners are equipped with the required skills, they will make optimum use of the e-resources which are provided by NAMCOL.Originality/valueThis is the first study to be conducted at NAMCOL, and it is hoped that the results will be applied to other tertiary institutions which offer distance education in Namibia.

scholarly journals Developing and evaluating an asynchronous online library microcredential: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-713
Author(s):  
Rebeca Peacock ◽  
Heather Grevatt ◽  
Ellie Dworak ◽  
Lindsay Marsh ◽  
Shelly Doty
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
First Year ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Information ◽  
Design Integration ◽  
Face To Face Instruction ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Online Library ◽  
First Year Seminar

Purpose This paper aims to describe the evolution of an academic library’s approach to first-year student information literacy instruction from face-to-face instruction to a fully integrated online microcredential. The design considerations, motivation theory and evaluation methods used to create and evaluate the course are also discussed, with implications for future library microcredential design, integration and research in campus first-year seminar courses. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, a multi-method approach is used to evaluate an undergraduate asynchronous online information literacy microcredential embedded in a first-year seminar. Two methods (Likert scale survey and coded reflection essays) were used to evaluate whether one method may be more beneficial than the other in future iterations of evaluating microcredentials. Findings In looking at a complex cognitive process such as motivation, multiple approaches to analyzing student thoughts may be beneficial. In addition, the role of the first-year seminar instructor, to help students make a connection to library material, is reinforced as is the need to provide students with accurate expectations for time required to complete online asynchronous microcredential courses. Originality/value This paper addresses the evaluation of microcredentials in academic libraries and also has implications for other campus departments investigating the creation of microcourses that are integrated into campus programs. These implications can be addressed in the design and development phases of the microcredential using Keller’s attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction model, and in turn, can be improved through iterative evaluation cycles using collected student data.

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