Computers in Libraries 2006 panelists Anna Leavitt, Elizabeth Iaukea, and Laura Staley discuss elearning projects with these things in mind: identifying & meeting library staff needs, eLearning challenges, eLearning opportunities, leveraging eLearning practices and tools.
Here is the text that is included in the attached PowerPoint slide presentation:
Agenda
– What is E-learning
– Blended Learning
– WebJunction
– Washington’s use of WebJunction in their Continuing Education Program
– Spanish Language Outreach Program Blended Learning Model
– WebJunction Learning Resources
– Questions and Answers
What is E-Learning
• E-learning is a term used to describe electronically delivered learning methods such as CD-ROM, web-based learning, online assessments, web-based reinforcement tools, and online coaching.
Blended Learning - Definition
• Blended learning is a term used to describe some mix of educational methods or approaches. Its most common meaning is an educational experience that includes some E-learning component coupled with ‘face to face’ component, such as being taught in a classroom.
• Blended learning is growing in popularity with many books, articles, and conferences.
– Gary Woodill and Brandon Hall Research, Emerging E-Learning, 2006
Blended Learning - Application
• Has become the dominant mode for offering educational materials online
– Still a need for human contact and face to face interaction when learning
– People learn in multiple ways
– Still large gaps in production of educational content for online learning
Blended Learning - Pros
• Produces a stronger sense of community among students than either traditional or fully online courses
• Consistent delivery of message
• Ability to self-pace
• Referesher materials
• Reduced classroom time
• More effective staff training
Blended Learning - Cons
• Some see the term as “wishy washy”
• Is just a description of multiple learning delivery channels
• For those developing blended learning
– How to manage instructional complexity
– How to design it
– How to manage roles and responsibilities
– How to create a seamless learning experience
– How to meet expectations
– How to control costs
What is WebJunction?
• “An online community where library staff meet to share ideas, solve problems, take courses,
and have fun.”
– support library staff with technology support and library development materials
– provide courses for online learning and professional development
– bring library community together in online discussions and programs, and for meeting in person when possible
WebJunction’s Philosophy
READ
LEARN
SHARE
•Community-driven approach
•Community contributes content and ideas
•Community editors, moderators and advocates
WebJunction Programs Using the Blended Learning Model
• Community Partner Program
– Current Partners
• State Libraries of AZ, CT, IA, NH, NM, VT, WA
• EqualAccess
• PAComputing
• Spanish Language Outreach Program
– Equips local library staff with knowledge and resources to meet the
technology needs of their community's Spanish speakers.
• Rural Sustainability Project
– A three-year project designed to provide rural library staff with resources to address their unique challenges and responsibilities.
• Using tools to customize WebJunction to meet library staff training needs
– Read, Learn, Discuss, and Share
WebJunction Washington - A State Partner’s Perspective
Elizabeth Iaukea
Continuing Education Coordinator
Washington State Library
eiaukea@secstate.wa.gov
WebJunction Washington:
A Brief History
• One of the first ‘State Partners’
• Access to ‘shared’ online learning
• Provide LMS to develop our own online courses
• Originally intended to be a compliment to our Library Development website
– Focused on developing Learning Center and Community Center
• Added some Washington-specific resources WebJunction Washington Online Learning Components
• State Partnership provides free statewide access to online courses for library staff
– Internet Searching, Office Applications, Web authoring, Linux, Networking
• Web conferencing to provide training
– “WA’s Online Legal Resources” (Fall ’05) training
• Promote community and just-in-time skills via WJ Message Boards
WebJunction Washington:
A Hopeful Future
• Create courses for the Learning Center
– For Washington library staff
– To be shared with a broader audience
• Blended Learning Model
– To support statewide summer reading
Blog for Tweens
– Partner ‘subject experts’ with instructional designer to create courses
WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program
• The Need for Outreach to Spanish Speakers
• The Role of Public Libraries in Bridging the Digital Divide
• Program Goals
WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program
SLO Blended Model
• In-person Elements
– Curriculum Development
– Train-the-Trainer
– Local workshops
– Follow up curriculum
• Online Elements
– Online Content and Resources
– Message Boards
– Webinars
– Online Course (New!)
WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program
Why Blended Learning?
• To extend and reinforce learning
• To build an online community of interest that can share ideas and resources
• To make the information available to the broadest audience possible
• To meet a range of experience levels
WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program
Benefits/Challenges:
• Each element has its own strengths & challenges
• In-person workshop
• Message Boards
• Webinars
• Online course
Preliminary Outcomes and Learnings
– Local workshop participants have:
• improved promotional efforts
• given new attention to staffing and staff training
• increased usage of public computing resources and programming by Spanish speakers
• forged new and strengthened partnerships with organizations in the Spanish-speaking community.
– Trainers and participants used WebJunction in a variety of ways—to find resources, to
take a class, and to read and post in their own forum.
WebJunction Learning Resources
WJ Learning Center
• Course catalog with 116 online self-paced courses
covering a broad range of topics. Over 14K total enrollments by over 5K unique learners.
• Guidance and tools for developing online courses
• Discussion forums on course topics and library staff training and development
• Training materials and templates to support people who lead staff training and development:
– Tools for training
– Handouts
– Worksheets
– Downloadable Lessons
WebJunction Learning Resources Handouts
• E-learning Glossary
• Value of E-learning
• E-learning Tips
