Information Outlook, August 1997

Volume 1, Issue 8https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1997/1007/thumbnail.jp

Information Outlook, June 1997

Volume 1, Issue 6https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1997/1005/thumbnail.jp

Information Outlook, May 2004

Volume 8, Issue 5https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_2004/1004/thumbnail.jp

Information Outlook, January 1999

Volume 3, Issue 1https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1999/1000/thumbnail.jp

The Shield 1983

Murray State University Yearbook, 1983https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/yearbooks/1057/thumbnail.jp

Information Outlook, October 1999

Volume 3, Issue 10https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1999/1009/thumbnail.jp

Information Outlook, January 1998

Volume 2, Issue 1https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1998/1000/thumbnail.jp

Ghanaian Library and Information Science Professionals’ Conceptions of Digital Libraries : A phenomenographic study

Digital libraries (DLs) have received much attention from many institutions and countries in recent times. Discussions on the concept are concentrated in the advanced world. Contribution to the discussion on DLs from developing countries is very insignificant. The concept of DLs has been given different definitions. This is because professionals perceive it differently from their various professional viewpoints. Inadequate technological advancement is a problem in developing countries including Ghana. This has caused slow progress in all aspects of education including LIS education in Ghana. DLs thrive on computer technologies. With the level of computer technology in Ghana, the country‟s libraries are yet to develop DLs. The purpose of this research is to identify Ghanaian LIS professionals‟ conception of DLs and how knowledge of DL has impacted on LIS education in Ghana. This study serves as my master thesis which required to be completed within five months. Various high level librarians and lecturers from the main library school in Ghana were interviewed using the phenomenographic research approach to discover variations in perceptions leading towards identification of qualitatively different conceptions of DLs. Conceptions were then reassessed in comparison with previous research and current framework and standards generated by professionals. Results were basically reviewed in line with a study conducted by LIS experts who wrote about digital libraries in the literature. The findings identify 7 categories of Ghanaian information professionals‟ conceptions of the digital library and show them to be both similar to, and in some part different from conceptions described or exhibited in previous research by their counterpart professionals in the developed world. The research focuses on showing how 10 information professionals sampled from professionals in Ghana perceived DLs. The research implies that as a new concept that thrives on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), knowledge about DLs is very useful for its full development and operations. It is even more important to find out peoples knowledge about the concept in areas where there is inadequate and unavailable ICT as well as other socio-economic situations which pose real challenges. Lecturers at the library school and librarians need to constantly upgrade their ICT skills so as to be in a better position to teach students about DLs and help users with their information retrieval needs and the use of DLs respectively. Information Technology (IT) and DL literacy should be incorporated in the educational system right from early school ages. This will inculcate into the child knowledge about (digital) libraries and their use. It will also build an interest and love for the field right from infancy so that when they eventually take up relevant positions, they will support the field with necessary resources. Government should channel adequate resources to support the LIS field so as to alleviate some of the problems in the area. The library association in Ghana should be vibrant in its activities so as to serve as a useful mouth piece for channelling the grievances of the profession. The research project contributes knowledge to the LIS field in Ghana. It initiates discussions on the need for a unified understanding of the DL phenomenon in Ghana. It is believed that a common basic understanding can help solve some of the challenges and make the development of DLs in Ghana possible. Once academic libraries manage to establish their digital collections, it will not be difficult to have a national digital collection and then to think of digitally preserving the rich cultural heritage of Ghana for lasting preservation.Joint Master Degree in Digital Library Learning (DILL

Pedagogical design in built environment distance education: a critical appraisal of students' learning strategies at postgraduate level

Because of changing patterns of demand and advances in supporting technologies, distance education is a growing market in the higher education sector. Assuring and maintaining its quality is an important issue for those who deliver it. This requires the development of pedagogical design. The knowledge of how student learn is the basis to develop the theories of teaching. However, distance students' learning activities are invisible to the instructors and researchers, particularly those based in a comprehensive learning environment, such as a University. This has caused difficulties in improving pedagogy in distance education. This study aims to contribute new knowledge to deal with this dilemma: it is limited in scope to postgraduate level and the selected educational field is Built Environment studies. To do this requires a deep understanding of what distance education is, what main theories of pedagogy have been developed and applied, and how students learn within a distance learning environment in the selected field. By answering these questions, the key issues of understanding the distance learning experience can be identified, explored and tested. To achieve these objectives, a mixed methods strategy has been designed. The key elements of the distance learning experience are considered, starting with an instrumental case study and continuing with a questionnaire survey. The case study provided in-depth knowledge on how students learn in the distance learning environment. Based on the case study, it was proposed that metacognition is the key to distance learning success, and an understanding of how students use learning strategy is the way to obtain the required knowledge for pedagogical development in this particular educational field. The outcomes of the case study produced a model of the distance learning experience and further research focused on the issue of learning strategies. A questionnaire survey produced 151 valid responses. The findings include both qualitative and quantitative data in regard to what and how learning strategies were developed by the participants. Through cluster analysis of learning strategies, evaluation of the correlations of relevant learning experience, comparing the means of the main factors, and comprehensive analysis, the outcomes of this thesis provide new knowledge of learning strategies for distance education. In addition, based on the discussions around the purpose and effectiveness of learning strategy, student demands for relevant knowledge and the influences of multiple factors, this thesis argues that developed metacognitive capability can, in fact, be a positive advantage of distance learners over their conventional counterparts, provoking a change in perspective on distance learning and recommendations for pedagogical change