Thinking Outside the Box: Using E-learning to Instruct Large Populations

Lisa Santucci / Rob Withers

Miami University Libraries

Who We Are

Selective state assisted institution with undergraduate emphasis

• 15,000 undergraduates, 1,300 graduates

• 3,473 first year undergraduates

• 17:1 student/faculty ration

Need for Undergraduate Instruction

• Anecdotal feedback from students

• Feedback from librarians & instructional staff

• NSSE Survey: students note little growth in library /research skills

• Many other institutions are doing the same: TILT, Penn State - Information Cycle

Challenges to Undergraduate Instruction

• No required introduction to use of library resources/research strategies

• Limited time within existing classes for library instruction

• Not enough librarians/classroom space to reach every class

Online Instruction

• Minimize need for instructional facilities

• Prevent schedule conflicts with other classes/activities

• Provide online support through call center software used for reference

OBOR Grant Opportunity

• Entitled: “Online Information Competencies Course Assessment Project”

Reaching the “GameBoy” Generation

Today’s students expect:• Less long, sequential presentation of

information• Multimedia used to deliver information• Education and entertainment are not mutually

exclusive• Giving them what they want and what they

need

Hardware/Software

• Server to house E-learn

• Macromedia Flash, Fireworks

• Snagit

• Blackboard CourseInfo

• In house development done by Librarians

Development Phase

• Content team develops script containing text information together with ideas for images

• Design team conveys information in script, with goal of minimizing text needed

• Invited all librarians to brainstorming session for input

Components of e - Learn

• Understanding Information/Evaluating Information

• Finding Books

• Finding Articles

• Finding News

• Searching the Web

E-Learn Modules

• Can be used outside of Blackboard

Initial Delivery

• Contacted sample group of incoming students via campus email requesting to take survey

• Enrolled students in Blackboard course management software

• Checked students machines to ensure they had software needed

Student Software Requirements

• Shockwave/Flash

• Audio card

• Java?

Feedback from Trials (2003)

• First round (50 students): " didn't like the timed element of the screens they want to control the pace"

• Second round (88 students): positive responses.

Challenges

• Ensuring Human Subjects /18 and older

• Lack of course credit for completing work

• Frequent changes

• Developing advanced, subject specific modules to build on core competencies

• Text-heavy - vs - graphics intensive

• Library jargon

• Not all students use University Email

Future Directions

• University Admissions Welcome CD-ROM

• Students receiving credit

• Keeping it timely

• Modules that are subject specific - BMZ