2008 Woodie Awards
Virtual classroom for distant learners
Students from all over the world can log online and receive library instructions
By Felix Cerna
Last update: 5/17/06 at 8:24 AM CST
- Page 1 of 1
Online students raise their hands by clicking on a hand icon to ask a librarian a question using an audio or chat feature.
The librarian answers the question through a direct messaging window, sending the message to all participants, one participant or a selected group of participants.
Class continues as the students receive library instruction far from campus.
Distance learning students may be in Houston, somewhere in Florida or anywhere in the world.
The online distance learning instructor sets up an appointment for the class to have library instruction to familiarize students with library research through Elluminate, a virtual classroom.
Online students log on from anywhere in the world to receive the same library instruction as any on-campus class receives in a library classroom.
Once online, students are taught about search strategies and tools and evaluating and citing sources.
One or two examples are demonstrated, then the students continue on their own, communicating with the librarian as needed.
"As the student searches, they are led in the right direction to access academically sound quality content," reference and distance Librarian Celita DeArmond said.
"It is a student-centered process. Instruction is based on transferable skills and knowledge," said DeArmond, who conducts the Elluminate live sessions.
"We're hand in hand with the faculty for their academic goals for their students," she said.
"This is very helpful to students and they love it, and they say it's a great way to learn about library research," she said.
The audio feature enables class members to talk to the instructor much like talking on the telephone.
Students conference among themselves or talk to an individual, with drawing tools and chatting capacity.
Once students have the key to doing quality work, they no longer have to go straight to Google, she said.
All students, including those enrolled in online classes, pay the library fee of $11, which includes the use of 112 databases and Elluminate, so they should take advantage of it, she said.
DeArmond said the online population has to have the same services as the on-campus classes.
The e-library session is coordinated between the librarian and the instructor requesting the session. The instructor then communicates to the students the details of the meeting.
A quick-start guide is sent to the instructor, who in turn distributes it to the students.
The live sessions are recorded. If students cannot attend, they can review what they missed.
Students also can repeat the session.
To schedule an online instruction session, faculty members should e-mail DeArmond at cdearmon@accd.edu.
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anonymous1010
anonymous1010
posted 3/28/06 @ 8:49 PM CST
Great article...thanks so much for highlighting this student service!
The folks at Elluminate have linked to this article in their news and reviews section:
http://www. (Continued…)
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