blending in department of library and information studies (dlis), university of the west indies
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for Jamaica Library Service (JLS) 2009 annual conference on Blended Learning at the Department of Library & Information Studies, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.TRANSCRIPT
Blending in DLIS:
Applying technologies to students learning
Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica has always been open to
British, American, and Caribbean influences in the “evolution and
strengthening of the teaching programs in the regional library school”.
Mohamedali, Ownali “Adapting to Changes: DLIS Experiences in the Caribbean.”
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
45.2 (2004): 98-110.
DLIS has been responsive to “international trends in library education and manpower
requirements of the countries in the English speaking Caribbean”, upgrading and restructuring its programs to meet
demands. ”
Mohamedali, Ownali “Adapting to Changes: DLIS Experiences in the Caribbean.”
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
45.2 (2004): 98-110.
One such trend
The move from just
“chalk and talk” to…
the embracing of online delivery
and in particular, BLENDED LEARNING!
In keeping with our tradition
of responding to regional and international advances and
changes, DLIS has adjusted its programmes to provide greater flexibility and student-centred
education in librarianship
While DLIS does not yet offer distance learning degree programmes
We are experimenting with the technologies associated with
distance learning.
In doing so, we are re-designing educational products and services to meet the new environment and the changing demands of our learners.
Today, learning at DLIS has adopted blending or blended learning.
our faculty members are innovating and applying technology in teaching and learning.
This presentation willIntroduce
the concept of blended learning
Discuss from DLIS perspective• current blending practices in DLIScurrent blending practices in DLIS• issues and challenges from student & issues and challenges from student &
faculty perspectivesfaculty perspectives• new technologies and opportunitiesnew technologies and opportunities
Concept of Blended learning:
A Review from the Literature
Blended Learning
“ The concept of "blending" grew out of the successes and failures of e-learning. Although some instruction is appropriate for online delivery, there are still many contexts in which it appears that learning is best served by some combination of classroom, Web-based training (WBT), synchronous online delivery, or other electronic resources.”
Felicia DouglisEducational Technology DepartmentSan Diego State University
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/blendlearning/index.htm
Blended learning is
That “combination of classroom, Web-based training (WBT), synchronous online delivery, or other electronic resources.”
Felicia DouglisEducational Technology DepartmentSan Diego State University
Blended Learning
“ Blended learning is a continuous process, rather than just a "learning event." Providing blended solutions allows for flexibility, not only of multiple delivery methods, but for learning to take place over time.”
Felicia DouglisEducational Technology DepartmentSan Diego State University
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/blendlearning/index.htm
Blended Learning made possible by combinations of factors
Web
Distance Learning
Learning Theory & Research
Other
called Course Management Software or VLE.
Web Software specific for teaching and learning?
Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning Foundation (YHGfL)
Professor Stephen Heppell writes:
“ VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment.”
“ Technological change and innovation are forces that have spurned numerous efforts to instruct students in better, easier, more efficient manner than lecture and classroom discussion.”
Fincher, Cameron. "Learning theory and research." Teaching and learning in the college classroom. Eds. K. A. Feldman and M. B. Paulsen. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson
Custom Publishing, 1998. 57-80.
(Fincher 60)
Web Impact on Learning Theory
“ Many of these efforts have taken the form of individualized, self-paced modes of instruction in which learner achieves a mastery of specific units and/or modules before proceeding to advanced or more specialized units.”
Fincher, Cameron. "Learning theory and research." Teaching and learning in the college classroom. Eds. K. A. Feldman and M. B. Paulsen. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson
Custom Publishing, 1998. 57-80.
(Fincher 60)
Blended Instructional Systems are designed to• be self-paced – on learners time • break down the learning task into manageable
units• use classroom lecture for motivational
purposes only• provide detailed assignments for active
learners• provide frequent testing and immediate
feedback
Fincher, Cameron. "Learning theory and research." Teaching and learning in the college classroom. Eds. K. A. Feldman and M. B. Paulsen. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson
Custom Publishing, 1998. 57-80.
(Fincher 60)
Current blending practices & technologies
DLIS applications
Our VLE
DLIS uses UWI Mona’s VLE in a number of ways.
• Upload lecture notes• Provide links to Web readings & electronic
materials• Monitor student motivation & engagement
with course material• For Communication
The DLIS Use ofThe DLIS Use of
Blended learning“reinforces what has been taught in class”
Online delivery does not replace lecturesRather
Face to Face lectures allow for elaboration on the points
Not everything on PowerPoint
• benefit students who are not good note takers
• provide 24/7 access to lecture content
• Allow Part-Time students having trouble getting time off from work to access content
PowerPoint Presentation on the Web via OURVLE
Possibilities for Possibilities for •Emailing entire class•Making class announcements•Providing feedback on student assignments
Sending messages easily & conveniently
Communication on the Web via OURVLE
Possibilities for Possibilities for Streaming multimedia
•Graphics•Sound•Video
Can be incorporated in presentations
Forces one to be better prepared for Forces one to be better prepared for lectures.lectures.
As you prepare Online presentations, you logically think through the course presentation rather than go to class & talk from your head.
Better Lesson Planningor Instruction Design
Everything will not necessarily be learnt in the time allotted.
Since introducing CDs, student performance have increased
remarkably.Consultation time has also been Consultation time has also been greatly reduced.greatly reduced.
CD-ROM tutorials
Make use of :•screen capture •creation of annotations.•assigning of captions•recording voice or voice overs for each screen
Provide students with step by step instructions.•Students can play over the CD if they missed a step.
CD-ROM tutorials
For Students
Student comments
Ayaana – Post Graduate Student MLIS programme
Student comments
Julian – Full Time Post Graduate Student MLIS programme
Challenges & Issues with Blending
The perspective from students & faculty
Student comments
Ayaana – Post Graduate Student in the MLIS programme
Student comments
Julian – Full Time Post Graduate Student in the MLIS programme
One would have thought there would be less paper use.
The opposite is true, as students tend to print out everything and not make notes online.
With Content Online
Very Time consuming to create
“Hundreds of hours spent creating CD
Need to plan what will be seen, heard and create a story board,
[such planning] “is not an easy thing to do”.
CD-ROM tutorials
New Technologies and Opportunities
How will DLIS respond?
New Technologies
The implementation of new technologies to VLE
• DimDim Web Conferencing
• UWI TV
DimDim – web conferencing software
DimDim – web conferencing software
DimDim – web conferencing software
DimDim – web conferencing software
UWI TV – Web Broadcasting possibilities
Western Jamaica Campus
Will we use Blended Learning to deliver LIS education to Western Jamaica?
Will we offer LIS education or even continuing LIS education via Open
Campus?