Digital libraries and e-Learning Dr. George Gitau Njoroge Presented to Senior Managers e-Learning & Team-Building Workshop at North Coast Beach Hotel, Mombasa on 1st to 3rd March 2014 By Dr. George Gitau Njoroge

Introduction World changing environment - requires learning institutions to “provide relevant academic programmes of high quality that are based on innovative educational processes and the application of appropriate technologies” Move towards student centred - emphasis on creative and innovative learning prepares students for the world of work and life-long learning. Distance learning - increased accessibility to tertiary education by using ICT to link learners to remote resources for independent learning and instructional purposes.

Libraries and e-learning They provide access to relevant information for learning, teaching and research through application of ICT’S. supports digital scholarship, and e-learning. integrates its resources and services in support of learning, teaching, research, and outreach.

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Working definition: “organizations that provide the resources, including the specialized staff, to select, structure, offer intellectual access to, interpret, distribute, preserve the integrity of, and ensure the persistence over time of collections of digital works so that they are readily and economically available for use by a defined community or set of communities.” A series of activities that brings together collections, services, and people in support of the full life cycle of creation, dissemination, use, and preservation of data, information, and knowledge.

The range of electronic resources include online catalogues, databases, multimedia, online journals, digital repositories, electronic books, electronic archives, and online/electronic services

Describes teaching and learning resources or experiences that are, in some way, delivered electronically. “Denotes ICT enhanced learning by delivering learning contents and activities via internet, intranet/extranet, audio/video, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, and CD-ROM” Blended traditional face-to-face teaching and learning that is combined with using communications technologies to enhance student focused and directed learning and teaching processes

Assumes: Collaborative effort Integration of content, resources, and services Support flexible learning and research

Our understanding of E-Learning Knowledge is constructive information. Learning is more effective if the “learner” is provided with strong incentive to take responsibility for self-learning. Learner's motivation is a strong determinant of the outcomes of the success of the online learning. Encouragement of instructors, faculty and the like to incorporate ICT into their classrooms is a success indicator of online learning. Learning is unique to the individual and requires reflections.

“Encompasses research, learning and teaching in the digital environment” where students have access to courses offered online with instruction and course materials, instructors notes, course topics, and discussion forums all of which are accessible online. Through the provision of technology based information and services to enable learners to access relevant information and services anywhere anytime, as well as provide empowerment for innovative and life-long learning

E-learning: a new domain of Digital library services CMS – Course Management Software VRD – Virtual Reference Desk LO – Learning Objects ELLs - E-Learning Library Services

Functional roles of the Digital-library: Hyperlink the e-courses with the library e-reference resources such as e-books, e-journals and web-based open-access resources; Set up virtual reference desk (VRD) help and e-mail enquiry service to answer the information needs of the e-learners (i.e. e-learning liaison librarian); Develop a special integrated web portal for course-related learning objects (LO) that retrieve from the library digital collections (e.g. e-journals, textual databases, open access, etc.) with efficient browsing and research abilities; Acquire core e-collections; Providing e-literacy sessions to help e-learners in scholarly use of the web and distributed e-resources (e-learning information search skills); Promote library e-services to the virtual e-learning community; and Prompt document delivery and outreach services via electronic transmission.

Functional roles of the e-learning institution: Development of innovative web-based e-courses using multimedia effects and simulation; Integration of a variety of recommended core e-learning reference readings with the digital resources; Digitization of textbooks and other learning resources to create usable learning objects; and Possible permanent updating of digital course contents.

INFORMATION REPACKAGING in CMS Information is organized in hierarchical categories that correspond to the schools, departments and even specific courses where possible This feature is in-built on the major Course Management Systems The information provider uploads or provides links  that are useful for students undertaking the specific course or related course for those that overlap under each category. Resources uploaded under each course are listed on a page by clicking on the course title and displayed with pagination links for a big database.

Cognitive aspects of e-learning and Digital library experience Personalized content delivery and learning process Personal library experience through ‘your library’ portal Library’s (virtual and physical) space as ‘information common’ and repository of e-learning objects for enhanced learning experience Bringing ICT into education

Networked e-information services VRD – Virtual Reference Desk SDI – Selective Dissemination of Information

Library services in an e-learning environment? Allows aggregation of e-contents - Library services must be accessible from within this environment and permit the creation of ‘virtual shelves’, library resources discovery, bibliographic management tools and context-sensitive full text access. Allow customization of preferences for library services Integrate access points to commercial databases Provide access to virtual reference service Create and integrate library learning objects (eg tutorials for users) Provide digital rights management and preservation of e-learning asset repository

KU Library Initiative to support E-learning Establishment of learning commons - “IT help desk, reference desk, learning support services, research help, information literacy and subject specialists”. Library’s automation and digitization of materials. E-books in the catalogue Computer workstations. Wireless access points in all the floors of the library Access to print and electronic resources- Links in library catalogue.

Challenges Lack of collaborative environment which allows for integration of resources and services for the benefit of the learner. No formalized or institutionalized collaboration, thus resulting in inconsistent partnership in service convergence. Faculty and Support Units work independent of each other in delivering content and providing support resources and services. Copyright clearance for learning objects. Providing access to online journals and electronic databases to those outside campus and in remote locations. Ezproxy - a software utility that enables library patrons at home or elsewhere to remotely access licensed web content commonly referred to as e-resources or online journals/databases that the library has subscribed to without necessarily having to be within the institution. Technically, it is a remote user authentication utility

Conclusions In the 21st century, digital libraries will have a tremendous positive impact on education, as sharing of learning resources increases, supporting not only distance education but also on-campus and independent discovery-based learning. High-quality resources of all types will be contributed by diverse sets of authors directly into digital libraries, including use of open archives, leading to a vast increase in use of rich multimedia works.

New Kinds of Learning Resources Cutting-edge technologies; to provide access to print and electronic resources and services. However more remains to be done as emerging technologies provide great opportunities for the Library to integrate its resources and services into learning, teaching and research.

However Recommendations Develop e-learning oriented collections and learning objects; Institutionalize integration of information literacy skills (e-literacy programme) into the subject curriculum; Subject librarians to work with teaching staff involved in the development of course web-based curricula; Market resources and services; Integrate plagiarism software into course management systems to encourage good practice and to assess reliability of content; Understand copyright issues and plan for copyright clearance if digitization has to be successful. Creation of Links, rather than uploads, for copyrighted materials However

Successful implementation of e-learning requires development of a digital scholarship strategy that will formalize partnership between faculty and all support departments. Through this strategy the role of each department in support of e-learning, will be clearly defined Digital Scholarship

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References Nfila, R. B. ( ) Academic Libraries Support for E-learning: Initiatives and Opportunities: the case of University of Botswana Library. Ahmed, T., (2007). "Networked e-information services to support the e-learning process at UAE University", Electronic Library, The, Vol. 25 Iss: 3, pp.349 – 362 Saeed, R. S. (2006). How digital libraries can support e-learning. The Electronic Library Vol. 24 No. 3, 2006 pp. 389-401 Mei-Yu Wang (2003 ). The strategic role of digital libraries: issues in e-learning environments. Library review vol. 52 no. 3 pp. 11-116 Norasieh A., Philippa, G. (2010).Exploring the use of digital library services in a blended learning environment: a Malaysian higher education perspective. Proceedings of ICERI2010 Conference 15th-17th November 2010, Madrid, Spain.