Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Tutor-Facilitated Adult Digital Literacy Learning: Insights From A Case Study, Kimberly D. Pendell, Elizabeth Withers, Jill Castek, Stephen Reder

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

While the digital divide has decreased, those who are still unable to access and use information and communication technologies are left further behind. An effective digital literacy program helps underserved populations gain needed skills and alleviate the demand placed on public library staff. This case study presents findings on a digital literacy learning model that utilizes a self-paced online platform and in-person volunteer tutors. The researchers found that the learner/tutor relationship is an essential part of the learning process, and that tutors develop a variety of strategies for helping learners. The researchers also identify aspects of effective program implementation.

Academic Libraries In The Age Of Moocs, Kerry Wu

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose – The article aims to report on the current development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), explore the strengths and weaknesses of MOOCs, and reflect on the possible relationships between academic libraries and MOOCs.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a mix of literature review (mostly current news) and personal observations. The author discusses the unique characteristics of MOOCs, speculates on the benefits of MOOCs on higher education, and explores the impact of MOOCs on academic libraries and how librarians can respond to it.

Findings – MOOCs create global learning communities that benefit both students and universities, and …

Mobile Learning: The Teacher In Your Pocket, Meredith G. Farkas

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mobile computing has exploded around the world over the past several years. Morgan Stanley suggests that mobile Internet use will exceed the use from fixed devices, and Ericsson projects that 80 percent of people will access the web from a mobile device by 2015 (Ingram 2010; Ericsson Corporate Public & Media Relations 2010). Mobile devices are being used for content creation, communication, information seeking, and so much more. The notion that mobile devices would be used only for quick and simple tasks has been challenged by research showing that a growing portion of the population—especially low-income and minority mobile users—use …

Web Conferencing Software, Meredith G. Farkas

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

Web conferencing software -- also known as webinar, videoconferencing, online meeting, and virtual classroom software -- is a web-­based technology that allows groups to synchronously communicate online. Most web conferencing software offers collaboration through text, voice and video chat, screen-­sharing, collaborative whiteboards, and file-­sharing. Tips and Trends, written by Instructional Technologies Committee members, introduces and discusses new, emerging, or even familiar technology which can be applied in the library instruction setting.

Interinstitutional Library Collaboration: Support For A Joint Master Of Public Health Program, Emily Ford, Laura Zeigen

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

Library-related and resource access issues confronting students enrolled in an inter-institutional joint master’s degree program in public health are addressed in this chapter. It details a cross-institutional collaborative effort to identify and provide research resources to inter-institutional joint degree students and faculty and analyzes the program through the lens of literature on collaboration in higher education and in library instruction. Reports on findings from qualitative feedback and quantitative card sort analysis data were gathered to inform development of content for, and organization of, a library research guide. Bureaucratic structures and policies often affect library services to students and faculty in …

Library Faculty And Instructional Assessment: Creating A Culture Of Assessment Through The High Performance Programming Model Of Organizational Transformation, Meredith G. Farkas, Lisa J. Hinchliffe

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

In an environment in which libraries increasingly need to demonstrate their value to faculty and administrators, providing evidence of the library’s contribution to student learning through its instruction program is critical. However, building a culture of assessment can be a challenge, even if librarians recognize its importance. In order to lead change, coordinators of library instruction at institutions where librarians are also tenure-track faculty must build trust and collaboration, lead through influence, and garner support from administration for assessment initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore what it takes to build a culture of assessment in academic libraries …