Designing Effective Library Tutorials

Designing Effective Library Tutorials

A Guide for Accommodating Multiple Learning Styles

1st Edition - October 23, 2012

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  • Author: Lori Mestre
  • eBook ISBN: 9781780633251

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Description

Learning styles are highly relevant for students in the online environment. Designing Effective Library Tutorials provides examples of, and steps for, how to create tutorials that match learning styles, based on usability studies of students from various cultural groups and styles of learning. The book presents studies, practical suggestions, and examples to assist librarians and faculty as they develop online programs for students from diverse learning styles. Research on learning style preferences in the online environment emphasizes the need to provide a variety of methods that include text, aural, visual, and kinesthetic examples. Geared for the practitioner working in online learning, the book summarizes current literature, and presents best practices for designing effective online tools for diverse learners, including suggestions for assessment of learning objects.This title is structured into twelve chapters, covering: The learning style debate: do we need to match up learning styles with presentation styles? Overview of learning style theories and learning style results from various studies; The intersection of culture and learning styles; The need for learning object development; Current practice: categories and features of library tutorials; Effective design of learning objects; Pedagogical considerations for tutorials; Interactivity options for tutorials; Assessment of learning objects; The value and process of usability studies; Marketing learning objects for broad visibility; and a section on resources.

Key Features

  • Provides results from usability studies conducted with students that assess learning style and the resulting effectiveness of tutorials based on their preferred style
  • Compares approaches and software used by librarians and educators to create tutorials, along with examples of pitfalls and benefits of each for various learning styles
  • Incorporates examples of ways to use software while including learning objects to match learning style

Readership

Librarians and educators who create, develop, or prepare materials to be used online

Table of Contents

  • List of figures, tables and charts

    Acknowledgements

    About the author

    Introduction: matching online learning and tutorial design with learning styles - the student perspective

    Chapter 1: The learning styles debate: do we need to match up learning styles with presentation styles?

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Learning gains?

    Are learning styles measurable?

    Criticisms of tailoring instruction based on learning styles

    Does knowing a student’s learning style make teachers more effective?

    Should we match teaching style to the content being taught?

    Solutions and compromises regardless of the controversy

    Conclusion

    Chapter 2: Overview of learning style theories and learning style results from the Mestre study

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Learning style models and inventories

    Discussion

    Conclusion

    Chapter 3: The intersection of culture and learning styles

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Some examples of the relevance of culture and learning styles

    Global and analytical learners

    Culturally responsive instruction

    Suggestions for accommodating various cultural and learning styles

    Conclusion

    Chapter 4: The need for learning object development

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Learning objects, web-based instruction, and tutorials

    Benefits of learning objects

    Tutorials for teaching faculty

    Challenges of creating learning objects

    Overview of the faculty’s or librarian’s role in creating tutorials

    Access to existing tutorials

    Students’ perceptions of learning objects

    Personalization

    Conclusion

    Chapter 5: Current practice: categories and features of library tutorials

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Web-based tutorials with screenshots

    Tutorials created with screencasting software

    Podcasting/vodcasting

    Mobile applications

    Videos

    Montages

    Conclusion

    Chapter 6: Effective design of learning objects

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Involving the stakeholders

    Designing for quality instruction

    Developing goals and the design plan

    The script

    Navigation and consistency across tutorials

    Designing for different ability levels

    Other technical considerations

    Accessibility

    Assessment of the learning object

    Conclusion

    Chapter 7: Pedagogical considerations for tutorials

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Meaningful content

    Modular design

    Cognitive science applied to instruction design

    Models for integrating good pedagogy into tutorials

    Getting help with integrating effective pedagogy in multimedia

    Conclusion

    Chapter 8: Interactivity options for tutorials

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    What qualifies as being interactive?

    Interactivity and active learning

    Planning for interactivity

    Interactive activities

    Developing effective questions

    Seeking help

    Multimedia suggestions

    Pick and choose options

    Concerns about adding multimedia

    Learning style considerations

    A checklist for considering multimedia interaction

    Conclusion

    Chapter 9: Assessment of learning objects

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    How is success measured?

    Methods of assessment

    Steps for assessment

    Assessment and maintenance of tutorials

    Conclusion

    Chapter 10: The value and process of usability studies

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    Definitions of usability testing

    Purpose of usability testing

    Methods

    Guidelines for usability testing

    Process for performing usability studies

    Resources needed for usability testing

    Iterative testing and analysis

    Conclusion

    Chapter 11: Marketing learning objects for broad visibility

    Abstract:

    Introduction

    The message

    Working with faculty to promote tutorials and websites

    Social network tools

    Making resources more visible

    Suggestions for promoting, linking, and embedding learning objects

    Other resources

    Conclusion

    Chapter 12: Resources

    Abstract:

    Learning style inventories

    Repositories and sites for hosting learning objects and tutorials

    Organizations and websites devoted to online learning

    Storyboarding sites

    Free CGI scripts on the Internet

    Scripts for usability studies

    Screen capture tools

    Screencasting tools, including screencasting help, open source tools, and commercial software

    General software for creating learning objects

    PowerPoint/Flash conversion

    Images (image sites, image capturing and editing tools)

    Audio

    Video and software to integrate photos, videos, and audio (video editing and other software)

    Puzzles, games, and activities

    Simulation, scenario, and animation tools

    Mobile applications

    Testing and assessment tools

    Eye tracking software and equipment

    Appendix 1: Survey to librarians: conducted by Lori Mestre, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Appendix 2: Learning style tutorial usability questions/script for ERIC, ORR, interactive tutorials (Group A)

    Appendix 3: Learning style tutorial usability questions/script for ORR, ERIC, interactive tutorials (Group B)

    Appendix 4: Guidelines and procedures for creating tutorials in Camtasia

    Appendix 5: Marketing communication plan

    Appendix 6: Suggestions for multimedia inclusion

    Index

Product details

  • No. of pages: 360
  • Language: English
  • Copyright: © Chandos Publishing 2012
  • Published: October 23, 2012
  • Imprint: Chandos Publishing
  • eBook ISBN: 9781780633251

About the Author

Lori Mestre

Lori S. Mestre is an Associate Professor of Library Administration and the Head of the Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In addition to her M.A.L.S. degree, she has a doctorate specializing in language, culture and curriculum and has devoted the last 15 years to exploring the intersection between multicultural librarianship and online learning environments that best reflect the diverse needs of students.

Affiliations and Expertise

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA

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