Accessing library web page usability: how benchmarking can help

This article looks at how the ‘Mystery Shopper’ methodology used by a consortium of universities was adapted to assess the usability of the library web pages of all four universities. Using a methodology refined from a previous web usability exercise, the various elements in the process are described. The outcomes of the project are briefly discussed, along with lessons learnt from the process

Assessing library web page usability: how benchmarking can help

This article looks at how the ‘Mystery Shopper’ methodology used by a consortium of universities was adapted to assess the usability of the library web pages of all four universities. Using a methodology refined from a previous web usability exercise, the various elements in the process are described. The outcomes of the project are briefly discussed, along with lessons learnt from the process

Preparing Higher Education Tutors for Delivering Online Courses

This paper identifies that academic staff need to be suitably prepared to deliver wholly online courses, and outlines the steps taken towards achieving this, at one Higher Education institution in the UK. E-learning, whether partially (blended) or wholly online, is not simply about the technology, but also requires an understanding of the pedagogical considerations, and the skills that are needed, to effectively facilitate them. Through the use of a formal questionnaire, and collation of informal comments made on a social network, evaluation is made of a staff development course designed specifically to promote effective facilitation of high quality online courses. The results determined that the course is fit for purpose and achieves its aims. Future cohorts are already over-subscribed as a result of positive commentary by participants. Further developments will be made, based upon constructive feedback by participants. Whilst possibly not unique, this course demonstrates action being taken in an educational institution to recognise that effective online delivery requires specific knowledge and skills that are different from those used in the traditional classroom

Activities and Strategies for Parents and Teachers to Promote Fluent Reading Acquisition in Emergenct Readers Through the Use of an Internet Web Page and Printed Materials

Research relating to phonics, whole language, and a balanced approach as it relates to fluent reading acquisition was read, evaluated, and summarized. A web page with activities and links to other web sites was designed and installed on the internet to provide parents and teachers with material intended to help them promote fluent reading acquisition in emergent readers

Literature Strands for the Enhancement of Language in the Early Childhood Classroom

Literature and activities which support and enhance language learning in the early childhood classroom were examined. Seventy-six pieces of literature were selected along with thirty-two supporting activities. These were all described and matched for easy reference by the classroom teacher. A discussion of the importance of literature for the early childhood classroom, particularly that in which Engli~h is taught as a second language, has been included

The Role of the School Library Media Specialist as Perceived by Selected Elementary School Principals in the Houston Independent School District

Librarians have always been looked upon by patrons and administrators simply as a keeper of books. According to West (1972, p. i) the twentieth century library educator has had a calling for improving this simple existence, which has meant a moving, shaking, and transformation of the librarian profession. For this reason, this writer has chosen to investigate the role of the school library media specialist as perceived by the elementary school principal. Author and librarian Helen E. Saunders (1968, p. 172), states that the effectiveness of the school library media specialist strongly depends on how the role of the specialist is viewed by the top managerial person in the elementary educational block. Based on this statement, this writer deems it significant to investigate the depth of thought the elementary school principal has of the newly acquired role of the library educator. For the purpose of the study the following questions will be answered: 1. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Services to Students as shown by specific percentage findings? 2. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Services to Teachers as shown by specific percentage findings? 3. How extensive is the elementary school principal\u27s knowledge of the role of the school media specialist in regard to Organization and Administration as shown by specific percentage findings? 4. What percentage of elementary school principals surveyed indicated a need for an in-service or orientation on the role of the school media specialist

Letter, 1978 May 13, from Sue Taylor White to Eva Jessy

1 page, White was a friend of Jessye. Paradise Lost and Regained and Tom and Kay Smyder are mentioned

Letter, 1978 May 9, from Sue Taylor White to Eva Jessye

2 pages, White was a friend of Jessye. Paradise Lost and Regained and a man named Boxer are mentioned

Water for Everyone

Around one in ten Tanzanians source their water from rivers originating in the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM). In Dar es Salaam, the main water source is the Ruvu River, flowing from Uluguru Nature Reserve, from which around 300 million litres are extracted daily. Moreover, at least half of Tanzanian hydroelectricity is generated from EAM rivers. The EAM contain moist forest assemblages as well as large areas of miombo woodland at lower elevations and on drier leeward aspects. These biomes are believed to play significant roles in the regulation of hydrological flow, flood mitigation and soil conservation. Despite this hypothesised importance, the interactions between river flow, habitat type and land use are not well understood. To explore these complexities, the Valuing the Arc programme (VTA) parameterised a detailed, daily water model called SWAT to model the hydrology of two focal catchments: the Sigi in Tanga Region and the Ruvu in Morogoro region. In addition, we developed a broader scale, monthly model (WatR) to tentatively explore hydrological flow across the wider VTA region