Library Instruction for Distance Students: Learning from Past Experiences Rae Jesano, George Hack, Nancy Schaefer, Linda Butson, Mary Edwards, Nita Ferree Health Science Center Libraries University of Florida

2 Library Instruction for Distance Students Background on Distance Learning Historical perspectives Current activities Future plans Conclusions

3 Degree Programs Served

4 Current UF Distance Programs Audiology Forensic Sciences Forensic Toxicology Nursing Occupational Therapy Working Pharmacist PharmD Traditional PharmD at Remote Sites

5 UF Distance Programs: Future Plans More programs Physical Therapy Public Health Broaden geographical scope Gain accreditation in other states Globalization

Library Instruction: Historical Perspectives

7 Face-to-Face Instruction Types On-campus orientations Off-campus orientations Problems On-campus Information overload for students Lack of time Off-campus Coverage for traveling librarian Both Inconsistency

8 Program or Course Pages Links to HSC Libraries’ website Electronic handouts or documents Problems Out of date/incorrect information Librarian couldn’t update information Librarian couldn’t access information

9 Library-Hosted Tutorials & Help In conjunction with face-to-face Standard help sheets, webpages and tutorials Problems Not linked to program/course pages Students unaware of existence

10 Course Integrated Video Stream Course integrated videotaped lectures 55 minutes Problems No direct video feed to computer Too long Students didn’t watch or understand Demonstrated by student questions

11 Course Integrated Narrated PowerPoint Labor intensive Too long Students didn’t watch or comprehend Spent time answering basic questions Answered questions covered Students had trouble printing out for reference

Library Instruction: Current activities

13 Distance Learning Librarian Works with Liaison Librarian, Program Faculty and Library’s Education Coordinator Distance Learning Portal General information Links to HSC Libraries’ tutorials Program-specific pages

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17 Education Coordinator PhD - Educational Technology Coordinates with librarians and faculty Works with librarians Technology Instructional design Creates packaging for tutorials

19 Online Flash Tutorials Modular Program/Course Integrated General Library tutorials Advantages Easier to navigate More appealing to students Easier to update Disadvantage Initially time-intensive to create

Library Instruction: Future Plans

21 Modular Instruction Breaking down large units into chunks Gives learners more control of time Gives learners control of sequence Learners can skip previously mastered skills

22 Increase Interactivity Increase navigation controls during online presentations Require learners to navigate through tutorials instead of only viewing Limit the use of passive delivery such as slideshows, streaming video, or static screenshots coupled with text

23 Distributed Practice Skills must be practiced over time to maximize learning Avoid the one-shot orientation to using library resources Develop skills over time with a combination of online tutorials and other asynchronous methods

24 Simplify Learning Objectives Don’t try to teach higher level skills before learners are ready Online tutorials should focus on the lower level cognitive skills Higher level skills should be taught through human interaction, instead of interaction with technology

Conclusions

26 Conclusions Library instruction for distance learners is a constantly evolving product We need to rely on all our resources Personnel and new technology We need to continue to evaluate this service based on feedback and student questions

27 Rae Jesano MSLS, AHIP Health Science Center Libraries PO Box University of Florida Gainesville, FL Phone: