1

E-Learning and the Libraries

Dr. Sukhdev SinghPhD.(Library and Inf. Science)

Deputy Librarian, Bhai Gurdas Library,Guru Nanak Dev University,Amritsar

ssjhand@yahoo.com

2

What is E-Learning?

• E- Learning or Electronic Learning is a type of education where the medium of instruction is computer technology.

• It is the method of learning that covers a wide set of Internet Applications such as accessing a vast range of information resources at desk computers, multimedia communication, etc. and information processed for storage like digitization that are helpful in setting up virtual libraries, virtual class-rooms and E-archives.

3

Uses• E-learning is used interchangeably in a wide variety of

contexts. In companies, it is referred to the strategies that use company networks to deliver training courses to the employees

• In USA, it is used as a planned teaching learning experience that uses a wide spectrum of technologies, mainly the Internet to reach learners at distance

• In most of the universities, E-learning is used to define a specific mode to attend a course or programme of study where the students rarely attend face-to-face or for an on-campus access to the educational facilities because they study mostly online

4

Market of E-learning

• The world-wide E-learning industry is estimated to worth over 38 billion Euros according to a conservative estimate, although in the European Union, only about 20% of E-learning products are produced within the common market. Development in Internet and multimedia are the basic enablers of E-learning with content, technology and services being identified as the key sectors of E-learning industry

5

E-learning is Internet enabled learning • Knowing and working with the computers• Knowing and surfing the Internet• Opening and browsing the relevant websites to

collect quality information• Knowing and operating other networks like LAN’s,

WAN’s etc.• Virtual Class-room Learning • Digitization of print material and uploading the same

on Web. • Downloading the files from the NET,• E-archiving, scanning of graphics pictures etc.

6

Internet and E-learning • Internet is the network of networks. It is world wide

collection of computer networks working as team to exchange data using common software standards. It offers four basic services :

(i) Electronic Mail(ii) Telnet (Network Protocol)(iii) FTP (File Transfer Protocol)(iv) IRS (Internet Relay Chat)The most popular navigation tool of the Internet WWW-

an oceanic resource of information. It is most useful for E-learning

7

E-learning and Distance Learning

• Suited to distance learning and flexible learning

• Blended learning (Class-room lectures + Computer Assisted Programs)

• Exciting, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Emotional, Excellent, Educational, Extended in addition to Electronic

8

Goals of E-learning

• Computer-based Learning (CBL)

• Computer-based Teaching (CBT)

9

Commercial Techniques and E-Learning

• Asynchronous (e.g E-mail)

(Does not need any participant)

• Synchronous (e.g. Online Chat )

(Needs one or more participants)

10

E-Learning and Libraries

According to an estimate 70% of all U.S. institution offer distance learning and 80% of US institution offer Hybrid Courses (A course mixing classroom session with on line session).

11

Integration of E-Learning and Libraries

• Offers libraries a powerful medium for searching faculty and students

• Provides enriched service for an academic community that has used traditional library services.

• Offers a way to reach those faculty and students who have begun to ignore the library and go directly to the web for their information needs

12

The OCLC E-Learning Task Force

• Created in 2003• Included librarians, administrators, technologists and

faculty from the cooperative academic institutions• Member represented institution from across US and

UK- research universities, colleges, liberal arts colleges, etc.

I. Institution ContentII. Learning EnhancementIII. Learning ObjectsIV. Metadata Strategies

13

Primary Cultural Issues

I. Ownership

II. Management

III. Access Control

14

Integration of Library and Library Management System Environment

Technical and Functional Requirements• Consecutively display and integrate a variety of

information windows as a part of learning activity• Aggregate access (discovery and exchange) to content

in any given learning context• Provide bibliographic tools that permit easy searching.• Access to tools that render and present content in user-

customized formats.• Integrate plagiarism software into course management

system to encourage good practice and to access reliability of content.

15

Technical and Cultural Requirements• Embedded library resources in course management

systems

• Integrate third-party commercial info-services

• Customize portal facilities for storing personal preferences

• Provide easy access to virtual reference service at the point of need

• Embedded training models to assist information seeking.

16

Content Management

• Digital Content Management

• Institutional Repository Management

17

Technical Infrastructure of the Institutions

I. Centralized IT OrganizationsII. Decentralized IT Organizations

Libraries and IT organizations often seem to have different perceived philosophies for advancement of technical structures, although they have a common goal to achieve

18

Training Aspect

• Need for close collaboration among the librarians, faculty members and instructional designers.

• Some training modules to be designed for imparting training to the users.

19

Need for Standards

• Need for development of specifications and standards for e-learning.

• IMS Global Learning Consortium (Established in 2002)

• IMS decided to reach out to the library communities and formed Digital Libraries Special Interest Group

• IMS is preparing a White Paper that will form wide consultations with library communities on their functional requirements in E-learning space.

20

Strategies for developing E-learning Infrastructure and Services

• Need for top-down and bottom-up strategies together will short term initiatives.

• Integrating and exposing library services in course management systems and learning activities

• Need for coherent planning approach to manage the existing and emerging digital assets.

21

Collaborative Opportunities between the

library and its academic partners • Integrating existing and new library and

Institutional Services into the E-learning infrastructure

• Managing digital asset repositories

22

Summary

Integrating Library Services for E-Learning• Consecutively display and integrate a variety of information

windows as a part of E-Learning Soicety

• Aggregate Access (discovery and exchange) to content in any given context.

• Provide bibliographic tools that permit easy searching and reference completions.

• Access to tools that render and present content in user-customized formats.

• Integrate plagiarism software into course management system to encourage good practice and to access reliability of content.

23

Summary

• Integrate third party commercial information services.

• Customize portal facilities for storing personal preferences.

• Provide easy access to virtual reference service at the point of need

• Embedded training modules to assist in information seeking.

24

Thanks