Online Library Tutorials: A Literature Review

In 2009, the Journal of Web Librarianship published a literature review covering best practices for creating library online tutorials. These principles included (1) knowing the tutorial’s purpose, (2) using standards, (3) collaborating with others, (4) engaging students, and (5) conducting evaluations. The purpose of this current essay is to serve as an updated literature review, culling and synthesizing seven other pedagogical facets from newer literature: (1) technology updates, (2) tutorial maintenance and revision, (3) multimedia learning by gaming, (4) cognitive load theory and chunking, (5) adult education theory, (6) blended and flipped learning, and (7) the importance of ongoing engagement

Putting theory into practice: The creation of REALs in the context of today's universities

Rich Environments for Active Learning (REALs), as described by R. Scott Grabinger and Joanna Dunlap, are comprehensive educational systems based on constructivist principles that present an intellectual and practical challenge to university lecturers. As teachers and researchers, academics are concerned with improving the learning potential of teaching strategies and, to this end, the theory of the REAL provides inspiration and ideas based on sound theoretical principles. Yet in the context of the current pressured climate, having the time and resources to put such an extensive, theory into practice can seem little more than a pipe‐dream. It is argued that using a computer‐based application such as the Hypermedia Learning Tutorials (HLTs) as the heart of a REAL allows lecturers to take positive steps towards the creation of comprehensive, flexible, integrated learning environments. The concept of the HLT is discussed and a practical application in the field of advanced second‐language acquisition is described. Based on conceptual analysis and the results of preliminary student evaluation, it is argued that the HLT encompasses both in theory and in practice the chief qualities of REALs and can form the basis for their creation in a wide variety of disciplines

A case study of campus‐based flexible learning using the World Wide Web and computer conferencing

This paper explores the use of the World Wide Web (WWW) integrated with computer conferencing as a teaching and learning tool. The aim of the study described was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of online materials designed in a flexible learning format and integrated with a computer conference. It was hoped that this would create additional opportunity for group discourse between campus‐based students. The paper is divided in the following way: a discussion of the context to new developments in teaching and learning is followed by an introduction to the case study. Finally the findings of the case study are discussed with reference to research from the field of collaborative systems (Orlikowski, 1992; Grudin, 1994) as a framework for reflection. Some tentative conclusions are made for future work

Multimodal design and the neomillenial learner

Two courses delivered in 2004 by the Faculty of Business at USQ were part of an initial trial into a new CD based hybrid model of delivery. This represented a change in the way USQ had previously supplied course materials and so it was necessary to ascertain how students responded to this change. This paper reports on findings from this research and demonstrates that higher levels of student engagement are possible, particularly in the context of nationality, age and gender differences. It investigates possible implications for academia when catering for a range of neomillennial learning approaches initially facilitated by the integration of a range of multimodal learning and teaching strategies. It is true 'one size does not fit all', but that does not preclude us from designing learning experiences that cater for a wide range of learners and particularly for those who learn in non-traditional ways whilst utilizing existing technologies

Problems and Promises of Using LMS Learner Analytics for Assessment: Case Study of a First-Year English Program

Learning management systems (LMS) are widely used in education. They offer the potential for assessing student learning, but the reality of using them for this is problematic. This case study chronicles efforts by librarians at Marquette University to use LMS data to assess students’ information literacy knowledge in Marquette’s first-year English program

Improving the Quality of Technology-Enhanced Learning for Computer Programming Courses

Teaching computing courses is a major challenge for the majority of lecturers in Libyan higher learning institutions. These courses contain numerous abstract concepts that cannot be easily explained using traditional educational methods. This paper describes the rationale, design, development and implementation stages of an e-learning package (including multimedia resources such as simulations, animations, and videos) using the ASSURE model. This training package can be used by students before they attend practical computer lab sessions, preparing them by developing technical skills and applying concepts and theories presented in lecture through supplementary study and exercises

Providing Library Instruction to Distance Learning Students in the Twenty-First Century: Meeting the Current and Changing Needs of a Diverse Community

This study examines the variety of instructional practices employed in distance learning librarianship from the end of the Twentieth Century through the early beginnings of the Twenty-First Century. The authors provide a thorough review of the literature on distance learning library instruction, and the study highlights the instructional services provided at two academic institutions with distinctly different clienteles and missions—one a large American university and the other a large Caribbean university

Introduction to Database Systems: Porting the Campus-Based Course to an Online Asynchronous Format

More and more courses are being ported to an asynchronous online format. Courses in which learning outcomes include mastery of a technology component, such as a database system, introduce additional challenges. This paper investigates student perceptions of the value of various types of instructional materials and methods for facilitating faculty contact utilized in an online introductory database course. The findings suggest that detailed online lecture notes have the most value with high ratings also given to narrated lecture notes and online interactive tutorials. Learning activities and assignments were also deemed to be extremely important with over eighty-nine percent of the students indicating preference for weekly assignments. The most common method used for faculty contact was email and students consistently cited that quick response turnaround and instructive feedback enhanced learning. In an online course, student learning can be enhanced by incorporating a variety of instructional materials and requiring students to frequently engage in structured learning activities

Introducing Digital Instructional Tutorials

This paper was produced as a culminating project for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education, Learning Design and Technology program. The results from this study were presented at the 2020 Technology, Colleges, and Community Worldwide Online Conference.The Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa supports scholastic efforts of students from varied academic levels. Aligned with the Association of College & Research Libraries, “Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education”, Hamilton Library conducts instructional sessions partnered with the English department’s First Year Writing program. Twice a semester, English 100 classes visit the library first to be introduced to basic research strategies and database searching; and a second time to learn evaluating information techniques. Instruction librarians at Hamilton Library have long struggled to balance the limited time available in these sessions and the amount of information to be communicated, coupled with students’ lack of preparation. Taking into account the increase in distance learning programs the University offers, and the heavy reliance society has on online tools, can the library impact students’ learning outside of the traditional classroom? How would utilizing online tools and non-traditional pedagogical approaches affect learning occurring in library sessions? Results of this study found students’ innate knowledge of research concepts influences learning occurring through the tutorial. While the pedagogy can impact the application of learned concepts. The purpose of this action research is to explore the impact of a flipped learning pedagogy utilizing instructional tutorials in preparing students for library instruction sessions

Perspectives on blended learning through the on-line platform, LabLessons, for Chemistry

The effectiveness of blended learning was evaluated through the integration of an online chemistry platform, LabLessons. Two modules, Formation of Hydrogen and Titration, were designed by college mentors alongside classroom chemistry teachers to engage and allow high school students to better comprehend these scientific topics. The pre-lab modules introduced the students to experiments they were expected to perform in class the following day. The modules consisted of an introduction as well as either a visualization and/or simulation specific to each topic. Students and teachers who utilized LabLessons were surveyed to establish a preliminary research on the use of technology in classrooms. Student and teacher surveys demonstrated LabLessons to be an interactive and helpful tool to improve students' understanding of conceptual ideasPeer Reviewe