The changing role of librarians and the online learning environment

Perrone, Vye (2000) The changing role of librarians and the online learning environment. In Proceedings Distance Education: An Open Question?, Adelaide (Australia).

Full text available as: PDF - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.

Abstract

The online teaching and learning environment arising in response to the need for distance and flexible education provides new opportunities for librarians to work with students to develop their information literacy skills. At the University of Waikato librarians are included as information coaches in the virtual classroom for several online courses. Their role is to provide students with guidance in the processes underlying tertiary learning. The collaborative relationship between students, teacher and librarian in this new environment provides students with a greater understanding of how the research (or assignment) process works. An understanding of this process is essential for the transfer of learning from one situation to another.
Information coaches have access to the coursework, the readings and class discussions, thus giving them a better understanding of students’ academic requirements. In the traditional on-campus, lecture-dominated environment, library staff would need to attend all course lectures and tutorials to gain a comparable understanding. This paper discusses the changing role of librarians in the online environment and the benefits for students after twelve months of course-integrated information coaching at the University of Waikato.

Keywords:	online learning, academic partnerships, information literacy
Subjects:	C. Users, literacy and reading. > CD. User training, promotion, activities, education.
ID Code:	1687
Deposited By:	Perrone, Vye
Deposited On:	18 July 2004
All fields:	Show all fields

Ashton, S. & Levy. P. (1998) NetLinkS: Piloting online professional development for networked learner support. Journal of Library Services for Distance Education [on-line serial], 2(1). Available: http://www.westaga.edu/library/jlsde/

Campbell, N. (1999) Team teaching in a web based classroom. In Open, Flexible and Distance Learning: Challenges of the New Millennium: Collected Papers from the 14th Biennial Forum of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia (pp.45-49). Geelong: Deakin University.

Fulcher, G. & and Lock D. (1999) Distance education: The future of library and information services requirements. Distance Education, 20, 313-323.

Heller-Ross, H. (1999) Library support for distance learning programs: A distributed model. Journal of Library Services for Distance Education [On-line serial], 1(2). Available: http://www.westaga.edu/library/jlsde/

Parks, J. & Hendrix, D. (1996) Integrating library instruction into the curriculum through freshman symposium. Reference Services Review, 24(1), 65-71.

Peacock, J. & Middleton, M. (1999) Mixed mode education: Implications for library user services. New Library World, 100(1146), 11-19.

Rosenquist-Buhler, C. (1996) New partners in distance education: Linking up to libraries. Library Administration and Management, 10(4), 220-225.

Todd, R. (1995) Integrated information skills instruction: Does it make a difference? School Library Media Quarterly, 23(2), 133-138.

Archive Staff Only: edit this record