Distance Learning Students are people, too!

Guide Information
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2012
Guide URL: http://libguides.hccfl.edu/dlstudentsarepeople2
Description:Library Instruction at a distance? Why Not? This LibGuide is a placeholder for presentation materials, helpful tools, software suggestions and more.
Tags:distance_learning, hcc_libraries, instruction, librarians, libraries, library_help, orientation
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Featured Librarian
Name: Jeremy Bullian
Email Address: jbullian@hccfl.edu
Contact Info:Campus: Brandon
Office: BLRC 116
Phone: 813-253-7886
Featured Librarian
Name: Kristin Heathcock
Email Address: kheathcock@hccfl.edu
Contact Info:Plant City Campus Library
813-757-2121

Guide Index
Welcome
DL @ HCC
The Canned Librarian
Going Live
Embed Yourself

Welcome

What does it mean?

Slideshow image

Images created by Visual Thesaurus.

What does it mean? (Wordle edition)

Wordle created from synonym.net entry distance.

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DL @ HCC

How well are we doing at HCC Libraries?

Not very well! A look at the numbers:

  • For 2010-11 there were 10,852 unduplicated distance learning students taking a total of
  • 835 DL sections offered at the college across campuses

What had we been doing to support DL students and their library research needs?

  • Nothing
  • Not sure???
  • I thought you were doing it
  • Ask-a-librarian has them covered.
  • They'll be fine. They have Google.
  • Out of sight, out of mind


Data from 2011 HCC Factbook 

Challenges to overcome

Library Instruction for Distance Learners? Are you kidding me?

  • We don't have the time
  • We don't have the money
  • We don't have the technical know-how
  • We don't have the faculty buy-in

These are all surmountable. Individually, or as a team/department.

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The Canned Librarian

Create guides for Distance Learners

Online Library Orientation Published On Jun 16, 2009 by Jeremy Bullian
This LibGuide offers general information about the HCC Libraries, library services, and resources available for research.
Library Resources for Distance Learning Students Published On Nov 10, 2008 by HCC Libraries
A short guide to the resources available to Distance Learners for library research.
Widgets and Embedding Content boxes

You can add a widet or grab the embed code of a particluar box. And embed the code in a blog, CMS (e.g. Blackboard, Angel, etc), or other external site:

  • Embed a custom box (e.g. Search box, custom database list).

To get Embed code, click Edit --> Edit Box Info --> Box Link Embed Code tab

Embedded in Blackboard

LibGuides box and widget embedded in MyHCC (Blackboard)

Screencasting in 4 simple (ahem...) steps
  1. Create video in Camtasia or other Screencasting software
  2. Edit. Edit. Edit. (and Edit some more)
  3. Upload to Vimeo or YouTube, etc.
  4. Link from Guide, blog, or CMS

Screencasting (Lo-fi edition):

  1. Record your screen with digital camera, camera phone or flip camera
  2. Upload to computer
  3. Edit if possible (Widows Movie Maker, )
  4. YouTube

Online Library Orientation Video Tutorials

This library orientation is broken into segments that focus on different aspects of research using HCC Libraries resources. Feel free to watch them all or just the ones that interest you.

 from hcc libraries on Vimeo.

Other helpful links and free resources:

Resources limited? Get creative.

moving along...

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Going Live

Go Live without a net

Why go Live?

  • Equitable access. Why should the distance leaner get inferior service?
  • The technology is finally here and practical. It doesn't have to be a big production.
  • Students will think you are awesome, teaching faculty will be jealous of your skills. 
  • Collaboration
  • Flex your creative muscles. It can be fun. It can also be a pain in the butt.
Behind the curtain (and in front)

You can record it!

Lessons Learned

  • Things will go wrong
  • Don't be too ambitious with your initial sessions
  • Trial runs
  • The "optional" session

End User Req's for Adobe Connect

  • Basically just Adobe Flash 10
  • Browsers: IE, Firefox, Chrome
  • Tech Specs
Screen Captures

Click here to see Adobe Connect Screen captures/features

WebConferencing software
Practical considerations

Practical considerations:

  • "No one wants to see my face!"
    • Audio only option
      • "I hate hearing my recorded voice!"
    • Canned video/audio. You write the script, outsource the performance
  • Learning curve
    • comfort with technology
    • takes time to reach comfort level
    • Practice with colleagues & staff
  • All about the benjamins
    • My dept/institution can't/won't pay for this
    • Explore the free options
    • Determine minimal level of service and build from there
moving along...

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Screen Captures

Embed code example?

Layout 1: Sharing

Layout 2: Discussion

Layout 3: Collaboration

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Embed Yourself

Embedded in English II (ENC 1102)

Why an embedded librarian?

  • Students at HCC in distance education courses get no formal library instruction
  • The course instructor initiated conversations with librarian to increase library involvement in courses
  • Students frequently contacted librarian for assistance with the assignments in this course
  • ACRL Standards call for information literacy instruction to all students, regardless of location or mode of course
  • Distance learners indicate they have a preference for dealing with an individual (Markgraf, 2004)

What did that consist of?

  • Collaboration between librarian and instructor
  • Creation of LibGuide for course
  • Online synchronous orientation
  • Recorded orientation
  • Interactions between librarian and students
  • Reminder messages during weeks that assignments were due

                                                                                                                     

Interactions Between Librarian and Students

Type of Communication

Description

Intended Interactions

Library Questions Discussion Board

Discussion board within the Blackboard LMS course environment.  Checked weekly on Friday.

Students post questions that are relevant for the entire class; answers are useful for all.

Course Messaging

Internal course messaging (mail) system.  The messages are accessible only when logged into the Blackboard LMS.

Interactions between students and librarian.  Messages are more private or personal in nature.  Students send librarian messages with questions that are very specific to their research paper or issues they are having.

Instant Message/Chat

Blackboard Instant Message program.  This is downloaded to a user’s computer and runs independently of the Blackboard LMS.  Students are invited to download the widget at the beginning of each term.  When they log in, they see only members of their enrolled courses.

Interactions between students and librarians are synchronous and quick.  The librarian is available during the time she is in her office.  Messages are more private in nature, and often require an immediate answer. 

Email

Students were provided with the librarian’s HCC email address and were encouraged to contact her for assistance and questions.

Students were able to communicate directly with the librarian.  Most communications were personal in nature. 

Telephone

Students were provided with the librarian’s office telephone number and were encouraged to contact her for assistance and questions.

Students were able to communicate directly with the librarian.  These communications were initiated by students. 

Office visits

Students were provided with the office location information for the librarian. 

Students were welcome to visit the librarian in her office. 

Embedded Librarian Bibliography

Association of College & Research Libraries. (2000). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency.cfm

Atlas, M. C., Wallace, D. P., & Van Fleet, C. (2005). Library anxiety in the electronic era, or why won't anybody talk to me anymore? Reference & User Services Quarterly, 44(4), 314-319.

Bartnik, L., Farmer, K., Ireland, A., Murray, L., & Robinson, J. (2010). We will be assimilated: Five experiences in embedded librarianship. Public Services Quarterly, 6(2-3), 150-164.

Bennett, E., & Simning, J. (2010). Embedded librarians and reference traffic: A quantitative analysis. Journal of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 443-457.

Bozeman, D., & Owens, R. (2008). Providing services to online students: Embedded librarians and access to resources. Mississippi Libraries, 72(3), 57-59.

Collard, S., & Tempelman-Kluit, N. (2006). The other way in: Goal-based library content through CMS. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 11(4), 55-68.

Daly, E. (2010). Embedding library resources into learning management systems: A way to reach duke undergrads at their points of need. College & Research Libraries News, 71(4), 208-212.

Dewald, N., Scholz-Crane, A., Booth, A., & Levine, C. (2000). Information literacy at a distance: Instructional design issues. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 26(1), 33.

Dinwiddie, M. (2005). Looking for ways to provide online library services equal to on-campus. Distance Education Report, 9(18), 8-8.

Ferrer-Vinent, I. J., & Carello, C. A. (2008). Embedded library instruction in a first-year biology laboratory course. Science & Technology Libraries, 28(4), 325-351.

Figa, E., Bone, T., & Macpherson, J. R. (2009). Faculty-librarian collaboration for library services in the online classroom: Student evaluation results and recommended practices for implementation. Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning, 3(2), 67-102.

Hearn, M. R. (2005). Embedding a librarian in the classroom: An intensive information literacy model. Reference Services Review, 33(2), 219-227.

Hillsborough Community College. (2011f). HCC Factbook 2011. Retrieved from
http://www.hccfl.edu/media/503590/final%20facbook%202011%20november%2015.pdf

Jacobs, W. N. (2010). Embedded librarianship is a winning proposition. Education Libraries, 33(2), 3-10.

Kearley, J. P., & Phillips, L. (2004). Embedding library reference services in online courses. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 9(1/2), 65-76.

Kesselman, M. A., & Watstein, S. B. (2009).Creating opportunities: Embedded librarians. Journal of Library Administration, 49(4), 383-400.

Lebowitz, G. (1997). Library services to distant students: An equity issue. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 23, 303-308.

Lillard, L. L., & Dinwiddie, M. (2004). If you build it, they will come, but then what: A look at issues related to using online course software to provide specialized reference services. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 9(3/4), 135-145.

Markgraf, J. S. (2004). Librarian participation in the online classroom. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 9(1/2), 5-19.

Moore, M. G. (1972). Learner autonomy: The second dimension of independent learning. Convergence, 5(2), 76-88.

Moore, M. G. (1989). Editorial: Three types of interaction. American Journal of Distance Education, 3(2), 1-6.

Oakleaf, Megan J. (2006).  Assessing information literacy skills: A rubric approach. Ph.D. dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States -- North Carolina. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from Dissertations & Theses: Full Text. (Publication No. AAT 3207346).

Shank, J. D., & Dewald, N. H. (2003).Establishing our presence in courseware: Adding library services to the virtual classroom. Information Technology and Libraries, 22(1), 38-43.

York, A. C., & Vance, J. M. (2009).Taking library instruction into the online classroom: Best practices for embedded librarians. Journal of Library Administration, 49(1/2), 197-209.

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011).The Condition of Education 2011(NCES 2011-033), Table A-43-1 . http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=80


 

Research from Fall 2011

The research question posed for this project was: How do students in a course with an embedded librarian perceive and utilize the librarian and library provided resources?

 

Pre-survey conducted first two weeks of classes (n=7) to determine student experience with library resources, library catalog, library databases, and internet.



Post-survey conducted last two weeks of course (n=14) to determine whether the embedded librarian increased students' awareness and use of the librarian and library provided resources.


Open-ended responses - 

1. What resources did you use? 

12 students identified library resources by name that were used in their course

4 students identified the librarian as a resource that was used

2. How did the embedded librarian impact your awareness and/or use of the library?

"It greatly impacted my use of the library by allowing me to feel more comfortable asking the librarian for assistance."

"If we had a problem finding something in our search for certain critical analysis of a story we may be writing about, she would point us in the right direction to help us find what we are looking for."

3. How would you improve the embedded librarian project?

Students recommended increasing the amount of communication from the librarian via email, including more demonstration videos for databases, and providing them with more information about the project (the embedded librarian project).


Data Tracking-

Monitored use of resources (LibGuide, Recorded orientation, and all communication means) - compared this with due dates of assignments. Found that the majority of use occurred during the planning, outlining, and writing stages of first essay and during the week that the final essay was due.


Instructor Interview-

Instructor indicated that the students' essays in courses with the embedded librarian were tremendously improved (compared with students in her online sections from previous terms without the embedded librarian). 


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