Testing the waters of E-learning: Swimmingly synchronized distance E-Learning
Caroline M. Stern, PhD, Associate Professor
Karrie Waarala,MLS,State of Michigan Librarian
Diane Donham, MLS,State of Michigan Librarian
Christine Lind Hage, MLS, Past President of the Public Library
Association of America
Ferris State University,
USA
Round table discussion: 1 1/2 hours
Convergence & Continuity
The Library of Michigan, using a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has implement a successful extensive, free, a-synchronous, Internet-based technology training program for librarians statewide who are seeking continuing education credits in software applications and professional communication skills. At the other end of the spectrum of synchronicity, virtual reference desks are popping up in public and academic libraries and offer 'round the clock' or '24/7' help to students, professionals, and community library patrons. Using Internet chat technology, patrons can be provided reference information via websites, library licensed products, or information from the library's public access computer. Additionally, patrons can also access real time tutoring and chat with a teacher who will assist them with school subjects, business math problems, accounting queries and various writing projects. Bridging the gap between these two instructional delivery methods, Ferris State University is infusing information literacy instruction into its curriculum using real time lab exercises that guide students to the electronic pathways to the library and yield a-synchronous team projects that instruct students in analyzing and writing about the academic authority of various Web sites.
This round table will include a state librarian, university professor, and the past president of the Public Library Association of America who will showcase and discuss the pitfalls, politics, and triumphs of these new approaches to e-teaching and learning. The presentation will test the waters of technology and facilitate a real time exchange of ideas with the conference attendees using video conferencing that links eLit 2003 in Scotland directly to the Library of Michigan in Lansing. Handouts explaining and detailing the subject matter will be available electronically and in paper format.
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