Copyright and You: Copyright Instruction for College Students in the Digital Age

Educators are concerned about the ease with which new digital technologies permit intellectual property to be discovered, re-purposed and shared. What do our students know about copyright compliance and academic integrity and how are these critical information competencies being addressed? Librarians have the authority for copyright-related instruction on campus and can provide both the point-of-need instruction and expertise to ensure that all students are informed about these issues. This article discusses the importance of developing copyright education for students as part of an overall information literacy curriculum by describing the development of a relevant, active learning online course targeting students' competencies as both users of and creators of creative content.     

How does web-based collaborative learning impact information literacy development?

This qualitative study documents evidence of first year undergraduate students' collaboration processes and information literacy learning while completing research assignments in groups during a semester-long course. Focus group interviews and artifacts collected in the web-based tool Evernote allowed us to conduct an in-depth analysis of students' collaborative behavior in terms of their actions, feelings, and thoughts during information seeking behavior (Kuhlthau, 2004), and of the potential of collaboration for fostering information literacy development.Our analysis revealed that certain conditions should be present to facilitate information literacy learning through collaboration: 1) Technology that enables real-time interaction and both active and passive sharing; 2) Meshing of students' interests through the assignment framing; and 3) Students' acceptance of the collaboration technology as a worthwhile tool.In addition, multiple factors determined the extent of the information literacy learning developed through the collaborative assignment tasks, including group dynamics, prompts for students to teach each other information skills, encouragement of students to share exemplars of notes or written assignments, exposure to different points of view, and time management.     

Teaching International Students How to Avoid Plagiarism: Librarians and Faculty in Collaboration

This paper presents how a plagiarism component has been integrated in a Research Methodology course for Engineering Master students at Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden. The plagiarism issue was approached from an educational perspective, rather than a punitive. The course director and librarians developed this part of the course in close collaboration. One part of the course is dedicated to how to cite, paraphrase and reference, while another part stresses the legal and ethical aspects of research. Currently, the majority of the students are international, which means there are intercultural and language aspects to consider. In order to evaluate our approach to teaching about plagiarism, we conducted a survey. The results of the survey indicate a need for education on how to cite and reference properly in order to avoid plagiarism, a result which is also supported by students' assignment results. Some suggestions are given for future development of the course.     

The impact of information-seeking self-efficacy and online learning self-efficacy on students' performance proficiency

This study surveyed 359 online undergraduate and graduate students regarding their information-seeking self-efficacy, online learning self-efficacy, and performance proficiency. A mediation model was conducted to examine the direct effect of students' online learning self-efficacy on their performance proficiency and the mediation effect of information-seeking self-efficacy. Multivariate correlational analysis showed that all three variables significantly correlated. Of the three variables, online learning self-efficacy has the strongest correlation to performance proficiency, while the variable with the least amount of correlation is between online-learning and information-seeking efficacies. Moreover, a significant regression equation showed that students' average performance proficiency increased by 0.359 for each point of online learning self-efficacy and 0.323 for each point of information-seeking self-efficacy. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that information-seeking self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between online learning self-efficacy and performance proficiency. In conclusion, information-seeking self-efficacy is a partial mediator and plays a buffering role between online learning self-efficacy and performance proficiency.     

Academic library spaces and student activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

A library in higher education plays a primary role in students' learning on campus. In addition to individually-focused studying, students come to a library for various purposes, such as group learning, collaborating, and socializing. To support students' different types of learning, appropriate physical and functional environments of the spaces must be provided. However, the environmental effects of learning spaces have not been explored extensively. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced students to remain and study at home for extended periods, and it is expected that the pandemic experience has affected students' space use patterns. This study aims to examine the effect of the pandemic on students' library usage and to investigate the necessary environments to effectively support students' learning activities. Data was collected via interviews with 12 students. One of the main findings is that, even though students used the library less during the pandemic, they expected to use it as much as pre-pandemic or even more after the pandemic. Furthermore, both physical and functional environments were associated with the study performance and wellbeing of the students. Therefore, understanding students' learning activities and preferred environments in a library is critical to providing appropriate spaces supporting students' learning performance and wellbeing.     

The Decline of the Number of Interlibrary Loans by Medical Students in a Small Academic Medical Library: A Study of 18 Years of Data

The objective of this study is to provide data on one aca-demic medical library's experience with first and second year medical students’ use of interlibrary loan at the Indiana University School of Medicine–Northwest, Steven C. Beering Medical Library. The results of a study of 18 years of data show a substantial decline of interlibrary loans by medical students. Several factors, including the unique problem-based learning curriculum and the availability of online journals, which has expanded a small medical library's collection, may be responsible for the reduction of interlibrary loan. This study suggests the need for collection development librarians to understand their medical school curriculum and to invest in the most useful electronic journals for their medical students’ education needs.     

Institutional Challenges in Web-Based Programs

Abstract

Institutions, as we know, are quickly embracing distance education, in the forms of online or Web-based courses and programs at phenomenal rates. Oftentimes, however, significant institutional structures, including such areas as registration, advising, library, and technical support are overlooked until too late. Institutions must have clear, well-planned strategies in place in order to maximize their students' learning experiences and overall satisfaction with distance education programs to avoid attrition and maximize retention. This paper provides many useful and easy to implement strategies for institutions considering distance education, as well as for those already engaged in serving students online. In particular, this paper explores experiences of students pursuing the Master of Library and Information Science degree through a Web-based program. Their challenges will be described, and the institutional responses and solutions will be offered.     

FROM THE EDITOR

Abstract

This paper reports on a survey of faculty perceptions of the role of the library in online distance education. The study is second in a series of related studies exploring The Pennsylvania State University's library services to patrons at a distance. In 2004, faculty of the World Campus (Penn State's online distance education program) were surveyed on their perceptions of e-learners' research needs. The faculty responded to questions on how their students access research information for their courses, whether they require their students to use the library as part of their courses, and their expectations of the library as an academic support service. The survey revealed that 60% of the responding faculty supply all of the required research information to students in their courses, and 62% do not require students to use the library as part of their course(s). The study concludes that online, distance-education faculty members have minimal to moderate expectations of the library in supporting their teaching and their students' research needs. Moreover, the study shows a significant lack of faculty awareness of existing library services and resources available to the e-learning community.     

Going mental: Tackling mental models for the online library tutorial

Online instructional design is a relatively new field for librarians. Many librarians have taken on the challenge of creating online library tutorials without the benefit of formal education and training in the field. Librarians can learn much from research in system design, human–computer interaction, and applied psychology, as it relates to the creation of online learning systems. Researchers in these areas believe that people approach online learning systems by making use of a conceptual—or mental—model of the system. Designers' mental models influence the way they create learning systems; students' mental models affect the way they interact with and learn from the system. This article compares and contrasts the mental models of librarians and students as they relate to online library tutorials. These mental models are examined through a review of existing library tutorials, usability studies on various library tutorials, and student interviews about the research and writing process. Analysis of these models demonstrates how undergraduates' mental models vary, often significantly, from the mental models of the librarians who design the online library tutorials. Interpretations of this analysis identify ways in which to design a tutorial for more effective instruction aimed at the undergraduate.     

Effectiveness of Virtual Reference Services in Academic Libraries: A Qualitative Study Based on the 5E Learning Model

This study explores library users' perceptions and preferences of virtual reference services (VRS) in an academic library in Hong Kong and examines the impact of VRS on students' learning for the future improvement of the library's services. A qualitative semi-structured interview was conducted with ten students from different faculties of a comprehensive university in Hong Kong. Proceedings of the interviews were recorded using Zoom, transcribed, and analyzed into theme tables according to the 5E learning model. Results indicate that WhatsApp is the most preferred VRS due to its convenience, response immediacy, textual record, and minimal learning efforts. Phone, email, and Zoom are less preferred due to users' perceived embarrassment, formality, and time constraints. The findings demonstrate that VRS is vital in students' different learning stages. It arouses students' interest in learning and information search, allows the exploration of new learning resources, provides a good platform to solve learning problems, and offers efficient and instant help for learning. Unlike previous studies, this study identifies users' perceived impact of VRS on their learning process based on the 5E learning model. It provides important implications and suggestions to improve VRS and staff training to enhance the library's overall reference services.     

Are Librarians Equipped to Teach International Students? A Survey of Current Practices and Recommendations for Training

Past studies of international students and academic libraries have often focused on students' own characteristics and experiences. Using an online survey, this study instead investigated librarians' teaching skills for serving this population. The analysis reveals that participants perceived an importance in developing skills specifically for international students. They tried to accommodate students' unique needs and optimize teaching approaches using their own experience working with the students. Although they reported having obtained knowledge of students' backgrounds as well as communication and teaching techniques, they showed strong interest in having further training opportunities to improve their teaching. The survey results thus give insight into recommendations for the provision of training to improve teaching in the context of serving international students.     

A Different Ball Game: Physical Education Students' Experiences in Librarian-led Wikipedia Assignments

Wikipedia editing assignments in the classroom provide unique transformative learning experiences to students and educators alike. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. In lieu of a traditional essay or research paper, professors are increasingly asking their students to edit Wikipedia articles. This active and collaborative pedagogical approach encourages the development of a host of student skills: information literacy, critical thinking, media literacy, collaboration, online communication, writing, and critical digital literacy skills.This study examines Kinesiology and Physical Education students' perceptions, attitudes, and experiences before and after completing a librarian-led Wikipedia assignment. Using modified pre- and post-surveys the authors surveyed 63 Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) students completing a librarian-led Wikipedia assignment in an Educational and Counselling Psychology course. While overall the experience was positive and met most student expectations, they are not committed to editing Wikipedia in the future, nor are they necessarily in favour of replacing the traditional research essay with Wikipedia editing assignments.     

Advancing nursing students' transition to scholarship: embedding a librarian into the Advanced Nursing Research course

Background:Nursing students often prioritize learning clinical skills rather than research skills, possibly inhibiting their growth as scholars. Supporting nursing students'' learning of information literacy skills has been shown to impact nurses'' involvement with research after graduation. This suggests a need for developing innovative information literacy teaching strategies that can enable nursing students to better understand the process of research and how to apply research to practice.Case Presentation:This article describes the implementation of the embedded librarian project at the course level at the University of Memphis. A librarian was integrated into the Advanced Nursing Research course, a semester-long course for graduate nursing students, for the fall 2020 semester. This case shares the embedded librarian project''s implementation and evaluation strategies.Conclusions:The embedded librarian project aided students'' acquisition of information literacy skills at the University of Memphis. Students reported that the embedded librarian project helped them complete assignments for their research course. Using an embedded librarian service within the graduate nursing curricula model may enhance scholarship among future nurses.     

Expanding Reference through Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning Videos

Academic librarians have utilized video tutorials for many years, however, the videos may not be useful or usefully shared. Cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) provides evidence-based design principles for librarians to create instructional videos that can expand reference support. Meaningful learning through video can be uniquely integrated into students' academic experience. The author applied CTML to videos on course assignments and then utilized the learning management system to send them to students enrolled in the course. This study builds upon the evidence-based conclusions of CTML and contributes an innovative way to integrate reference into the student experience. This is an important contribution as librarians seek to scale and expand reference support to in-person, online, and hybrid learning environments.     

The Effectiveness of Direct-Instruction and Student-Centered Teaching Methods on Students' Functional Understanding of Plagiarism

ABSTRACT

To improve students' functional understanding of plagiarism, a variety of approaches was tried within a comprehensive information literacy program. Sessions were taught as a “module” inside a required communications skills class at a private university. Approaches taken included control, direct-instruction, and student-centered sessions. Students were taught content and definitions regarding plagiarism, what circumstances or instances constitute plagiarism, where to go for help in avoiding plagiarism, and what constitutes appropriate paraphrasing. Pretest and posttest scores indicated that no approach performed significantly better than the others; however, even though students improved across all methods, they nonetheless showed the need for more hands-on practice.     

Collaborative inquiry project-based learning: Effects on reading ability and interests

The academic performance of students has been shown to be associated with reading ability. Inquiry learning can potentially enhance the reading abilities and interests of students. This study verified this proposition by examining the effects of an inquiry approach to group projects on the reading abilities of primary school students. Using a case study design, an inquiry project-based learning (PBL) approach, with the collaboration between three types of teachers and the school librarian was implemented to support the development of reading abilities and interests of students in a primary school in Hong Kong. The participants included Primary 4 students, teachers, and parents. Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) tests were used to evaluate the students' reading abilities; survey questionnaire and interviews were used to examine the participants' perceptions of the inquiry PBL; and the PIRLS survey was used to measure the students' attitudes and self-perceptions. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses showed positive effects on the reading abilities and attitudes of the participating students. Students' attitudes and self-perceived abilities appeared to influence the improvements in reading abilities. Finally, improvements in the students' reading comprehension, reading speed, and vocabulary were perceived. These findings provide evidence and insights to support further implementation of inquiry PBL in primary schools.     

STEM领域中女性生涯选择影响因素研究述评

中国国际“互联网+”创新创业大赛不仅是我国推进创新创业教育的一个新举措,而且还是促进高校科学技术成果落地转化的新路径。“互联网+”双创大赛融合科学教育与科学传播的优势,“互联网+”双创大赛既是一种项目导向式创新型科学教育,也是一次面向大众的科学传播活动,对于高校教师、在校大学生和高校管理者都有重要意义。     

Students' Viewpoint: What Constitutes Presence in an Online Classroom?

In this exploratory study, a community of inquiry framework was used to investigate students' perceptions of the efficacy and quality of online information organization and abstracting and indexing classes. It was found that participants valued not only the flexibility of online education, but also the instructor's timely engagement and reflection. Study participants emphasized the necessity of the instructor's frequent engagement through various modes of communication, such as virtual and face-to-face office hours and email. Participants' interest in asynchronous instruction mode was also observed. These findings are in line with previous studies emphasizing the importance of teaching presence in online classrooms. This study contributes to understanding students' perceptions of the quality of online learning and teaching.     

Flash-Authoring Tools

Abstract

Library projects to develop online instructional media can strain budgets and resources for technical expertise. New Flash-authoring tools may provide an inexpensive, easy-to-use, and quick alternative for librarians. The University Library at Cleveland State used a Flash-authoring tool to create a series of Web-based learning modules to deliver library instruction to undergraduate students. An overview of the technology, leading products, and Cleveland State's project, along with practical considerations for librarians is included.