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Title:
E-learning and Teaching in Library and Information Services
Review:
E-learning offers a range of opportunities to library and information
professionals. These include providing new services and resources,
enhancing the role of the information centre within the organisation,
and career development.
Barbara Allan provides an overview of this rapidly developing field.
The book will be particularly useful for info pros who are interested
in getting into e-learning -- perhaps in developing an e-learning
initiative from scratch -- and need an introduction to the topic. It
is divided into three sections: (1) tools and technologies, (2)
e-learning and teaching, and (3) e-learning and the LIS profession.
Case studies and examples are provided throughout to illustrate the
real-life application of concepts.
Allan makes clear that e-learning is not just about acquiring
expensive software products. Virtual communication tools, including
e-mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, and instant messaging also have a
part to play. The opening case study examines the use of e-mail to
deliver training - a cheap, cost-effective method that will have many
info pros thinking 'I could do that'.
For those with bigger budgets or more ambitious projects, Allan also
considers integrated learning environments, including learning
portals, virtual learning environments (Web-based toolkits which
facilitate learning) and managed learning environments (like a VLE but
incorporating institutional processes such as record-keeping). Info
pros in non-academic environments may find these solutions too
expensive and complex for their needs, but Allan does suggest
alternative approaches either involving commercial communications
software (such as Lotus Notes) or low-cost or free collaboration
tools. CDE Software Evaluation
<http://cde.athabascau.ca/softeval/R.htm> assesses collaborative
software tools and gives priority to software which can be downloaded
for free.
Any e-learning project will need course materials as well as a
technology infrastructure, and Allan devotes a chapter to the
evaluation and use of Web-based training materials. Examples of
Websites developed by libraries showcase approaches to delivering
e-learning initiatives, such as improving study skills or user
instruction. Perhaps not surprisingly, the examples are almost
entirely drawn from the public sector, so info pros based in the
private sector will need to think laterally to adapt the ideas to
their own environment.
The two most useful chapters, from a practical point of view, look at
the design of e-learning programmes and activities. These take the
reader through the design and development process from needs analysis
to evaluation. There are plenty of checklists and examples - and
perhaps most importantly, case studies providing examples of
e-learning activities in action. This is like eavesdropping on an
e-learning programme as it takes place and provides plenty of pointers
for developing the tutor's tone and style - the 'online voice'
- highlighting issues which might emerge from the e-tutoring process,
such as managing student participation and interaction, and even
handling online bullying.
Allan's book covers a lot of ground, and as a consequence skims over
some areas. For some readers, the quantity and range of material may
appear to be a bit daunting. However, if you are interested in getting
into e-learning this is a good place to start. It will give you an
overview of key issues, which you can then explore further using the
comprehensive list of resources provided.
Free Pint Reviewer:
As Business Development Director of Imark Communications' Information
Portfolio, Katherine Allen has responsibility for Online Information,
the world's no. 1 event for information content, management and
delivery, attracting an international audience of over 11, 000
visitors and over 280 exhibitors. Running alongside the exhibition,
the Online Information conference addresses key issues and challenges
facing information professionals, librarians, knowledge managers and
publishers worldwide. New at Online Information for 2003 is the launch
of Content Management Europe, the definitive European event for
purchasers and vendors of enterprise content management
<http://www.cme-expo.co.uk> and the International Information
Industry Awards. Find out more at <http://www.online-information.co.uk>.
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