Distance students and online research: Promoting information literacy through media literacy

Today's college students, particularly distance students, are increasingly dependent on the Web for their research needs. At the same time they lack the critical thinking skills required to successfully evaluate the actual credibility of online information, a critical aspect of information literacy. Furthermore, rather than access the online library database, distance students are more likely to employ generic search engines in their research quests, making more critical the need for information literacy. The current study employed an online survey designed to explore the relationships between critical evaluation of online information, as a measure of information literacy, and components of media literacy. Results suggest a significant, positive relationship between these literacies. These findings suggest variety in the types of strategies instructors and instructional designers might employ towards the development of information literacy skills required for today's graduates to successfully negotiate the 21st century information society.     

Widening Our Global View: The Development of Career Counseling Services for International Students

The increased number of international students in United States universities and colleges have created the need for the development of services that appropriately reflect their needs and characteristics. The Career Center at the University of Missouri, Columbia reacted to this phenomenon by developing career services exclusively for international students. Career services are provided as individual services and online services, and consist of information on graduate schools and entrance examination practices, information on available employment opportunities and work permit policies, career assessments, and information about specific skills for obtaining a job in the United States. Several marketing strategies were used to ensure international students' use of services. Important points in developing career services for international students are presented.     

Curriculum Integration: Helping Career and Technical Education Students Truly Develop College and Career Readiness

All students need to learn how to read, write, solve mathematics problems, and understand and apply scientific principles to succeed in college and/or careers. The challenges posed by entry-level career fields are no less daunting than those posed by college-level study. Thus, career and technical education students must learn effective math, literacy, and scientific concepts and processes. The National Center for Career and Technical Education Research completed three separate experimental design studies about the integration of math, literacy, and science in CTE courses. Across the studies, integration of core academics in CTE courses improved students' academic achievement as measured by standardized assessments.     

The Web and information literacy: scaffolding the use of web sources in a project-based curriculum

In this article we describe and discuss a three‐year case study of a course in web literacy, part of the academic literacy curriculum for first‐year engineering students at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Because they are seen as ‘practical’ knowledge, not theoretical, information skills tend to be devalued at university and rendered invisible to the students. In particular, web‐searching skills are problematic, given the challenges that the Web poses to academic values and traditional research practices. Consequently, the technical skills of web searching are often taught separately from academic curricula or left entirely unaddressed. We illustrate an alternative, integrated approach to the development of this aspect of information literacy. We apply a critical action research methodology to document, evaluate and reflect on students’ use of evaluative frameworks. Focusing on the facilitation of critical and evaluative use of the Web for exploratory learning, we interrogate the role of ‘cultural capital’ and evaluate the effectiveness of the scaffolding provided by the course design. We find important connections between developing knowledge of academic discourse and successful academic use of the Web, and note that, for students to transfer their skills to a range of contexts, these skills will require sustained attention throughout the undergraduate curriculum. We present evidence that the most effective strategies integrate everyday practical knowledge of research techniques with teaching about academic discourse and building students’ knowledge in a specific domain.     

对高职院校开展创业教育的思考

我国经济体制的转轨，产业结构的调整和知识经济的发展迫切需要大批具有创业能力和实践能力的人才．高职院校作为沟通经济与教育的桥梁，作为塑造和输送高素质劳动的基地，应该发挥在专业和技能方面的优势，大力开展创业教育，提高高职生的创业能力．     

Enhancing Career Development Through the Career Success Club

The career development of students, demonstrated by students performing appropriate career developmental tasks, is important to institutions of higher education because career developed students are more likely to have career objectives, persist in their academic goals, gain career-related work experience, find employment in their chosen fields, and graduate. The purpose of this study was to determine if the career development of students by class level had been enhanced by participation in a career management plan specifically prepared for undergraduates. The intervention of a career management plan (i.e., the Career Success Club) was successful, especially for seniors and middles, in enhancing the career development of undergraduates. Career management plans may help students that are academically undecided to become more connected to their majors by focusing more on academic and career matters.     

美、英两国生涯教育模式特点及其启示

生涯教育是一个系统化、分阶段实施的教育过程，根据人的发展规律，各个阶段又有所侧重。美、英两国生涯教育都注重实践，同时都强调将现代信息技术应用于生涯教育中。我国可借鉴其经验，尝试在基础教育阶段开设独立的生涯教育课程，以及建立生涯教育网站，成立地方生涯教育服务机构，组建学生俱乐部等，促进生涯教育的全面展开。     

Web 3.0: Implications for Online Learning

The impact of Web 3.0, also known as the Semantic Web, on online learning is yet to be determined as the Semantic Web and its technologies continue to develop. Online instructors must have a rudimentary understanding of Web 3.0 to prepare for the next phase of online learning. This paper provides an understandable definition of the Semantic Web and its terminology, and then explores possible implications of Web 3.0 on online learning. The foundation of the Semantic Web is data integration. By using metadata, “display only” data is converted to meaningful information which can be located, evaluated, and delivered by software agents. Web 3.0 technologies will assist online instructors in the areas of course development, learner support, assessment, and record keeping. Online students will benefit from learning personalization and knowledge construction powered by the Semantic Web.     

An analysis on the impetus of online education: Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia

The Internet provides a venue for several purposes. One purpose is to disseminate information. Compared to other infrastructures, the Internet is one of the more cost-effective ways of improving a country's educational system. Online education is growing in popularity as it provides accessibility and encourages collaborative communication among student peers. The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the impetus of online education through the perception of adult learners at Curtin Business School. The majority of the respondents valued the direct interaction of traditional classes and easy access to information on subjects being offered on online courses. A combination of both traditional and online methods proved to be the most comprehensive solution as students were able to increase their interpersonal skills and computer literacy. Based upon the conducted survey, the three main driving forces to the development of online education were identified as information technology, education brokers (universities), and market demands. The main implications of technology to universities were identified in its changing roles and organizational structure and being able to form partnerships with other business counterparts. Simultaneously, this trend would produce a new generation of knowledge workers with new expectations on career advancement and learning opportunities. As such, it becomes imperative that universities and information communication technology-based organizations form a symbiotic relationship to meet the expectations of the new e-generation.     

从Web2.0看高校媒介素养教育

Web2.0提供了大量的社会性网络的技术,迅速成为高校学生学习知识和传播信息的新型媒介,使学生有了利用媒介充分表现自己的思想和行为的平台;以web2.0为代表的媒介的发展以及传播途径的多样化,必然对学生媒介素养提出更高的要求;高校媒介素养教育要明确教育的目标、内容、教学分析方法,同时要注重与相关学科的融合,拓宽媒介素养教育的途径,加强媒介素养教育实践和加快师资的培养。     

中职生职业成熟度的特点研究

为探讨中职生职业成熟度的特点及趋势,采用中学生职业成熟度问卷对江西省一所中等职业技术学校的学生进行调查。结果显示中职生职业成熟度,已经形成了稳定的职业倾向,但职业知识不足;中职生在职业态度上存在性别差异,女生功利性大于男生但主动性低于男生;中职生在职业态度上存在年级差异,二年级学生在功利性上低于一年级学生,但在稳定性和主动性上高于一年级学生;中职生职业态度上是否有打工经历存在影响,有打工经历的学生独立性和主动性更高;中职生在职业态度上存在专业差异,机械加工类专业学生在独立性和功利性上不如非机械加工类专业学生但在主动性上好于非机械加工类专业学生。总体来说,中职生职业态度在性别、年级、有无打工经历和专业上均存在一定的差异。     

大学生就业指导工作的信息化路径分析

大学生职业生涯规划的网络化是指导理念与技术革新的有机融合,是大学生就业指导工作在新形势下向前推进的必然趋势和要求。我国现有的毕业生就业服务信息网站在网络资源整合、就业环境预测、社会职业状况、信息服务系统、生涯教育课程开发、职业性向测评和网上咨询辅导等方面与国外相比还有很大差距。实现大学生职业生涯规划网络化的路径主要有就业信息的网络化与合理应用、指导内容的多样化与方式创新、主体需求的个性化与互动交流等。     

中小学生生涯发展辅导构想

中小学生生涯发展辅导是以学生的内在品质和经济社会发展相互关联为基础的,旨在促进学生生涯成熟的一种综合教育计划,具体任务是协助学生在自我探索中,增进自我了解,形成自我发展意识;在生涯探索中,了解工作世界,形成职业价值观和劳动态度;在生涯准备与规划中,掌握职业知识,明了社会需求与个体需求的关系,形成生涯规划和生涯决策的能力。     

Integrating Online Literacy into Undergraduate Education: a case study

The present situation in which students enter tertiary education with different experiences of online literacy poses challenges for instructors of subjects in which content and online literacy are integrated. It is hard for university teachers to predict what can be expected of incoming students in terms of computer experience, or to plan suitable syllabuses. In this article, the online literacy practices of students in one subject offered at an Australian university are examined. These practices are viewed within the context of the subject itself, and in the wider context of tertiary education. It is suggested that studies of the contexts and practices of online literacy can provide information which will help instructors to have some idea of what to expect concerning their students’ online literacy. In turn, this knowledge may make it easier for instructors to plan subject syllabuses which provide for groups of students with mixed online experiences. Areas for further research are also identified.     

The Influence of Career Beliefs and Socio-Economic Status on the Career Decision-Making of High School Students in India

This paper responds to current discussions in career psychology that emphasise the importance of understanding how socio-economic backgrounds and social-cognitive environments influence career development. Located in India, this study examines the interaction between career beliefs and socio-economic status within a sample of Indian high school students. Significant socio-economic status differences were observed, with the lower SES groups showing higher levels of negative career beliefs. The relevance of these findings to career psychologists who work in multi cultural contexts is discussed within the framework of the Social Cognitive Theories of Career Decision Making. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Career Development Needs of College Students with Learning Disabilities: In Their Own Words

The career development and disability knowledge of 97 students with learning disabilities from three postsecondary institutions in the Midwest was examined through semi‐structured interviews. Students with disabilities who were eligible for services while in high school generally did not engage in transition planning as required by federal law. Their career development activities were limited despite having unique career needs. The majority of students had difficulty describing their disability and its impact on their career exploration and planning. For students with learning disabilities at the postsecondary level, career development services should be provided, including training in self‐advocacy and career exploration in the first two years. Instruction in career self‐management skills should be ongoing.     

高职院校应重视学生职业生涯规划教育

目前,高职院校学生对职业生涯规划方面的知识既渴望又陌生,虽然大部分学生认为职业生涯规划非常重要,但在进行规划时往往只关注自己的感性需要,很少考虑自身特质、社会现实和客观需求等,为规划而规划,存在明显的不科学性。因此,重视学生职业生涯规划教育,让学生进一步明确职业生涯规划的涵义、意义,加强方法的指导十分必要。     

Teacher education students using TPACK in science: a case study

Teacher education is in the grip of change. Due to the new Australian Curriculum, no longer is it possible to plan and implement lessons without considering the inclusion of Information and Communication Technologies. Simply knowing about the latest technology gadgets is not enough. Information literacy is essential in today’s information-rich learning and working environment. Students and teachers must be able to engage with diverse learning technologies efficiently and effectively in the search for the “right information” at the “right time” for the “right purpose”. Key information literacy and inquiry skills have been recognised as vital learning goals by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority and the International Society for Technology in Education and are thus critical in science teacher education. This paper examines the overlap of technology, pedagogy and science content in the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework and its affordances for science educators, at the intersection between technology knowledge, science pedagogy (information literacy and inquiry) and science content knowledge. Following an introduction of the TPACK framework for science education, the paper reports the research findings, which illustrate that 90% of pre-service teachers thought the experimental unit improved their understanding of the inquiry process, 88% reported more confidence in their understanding of science concepts and 94% of students reported an increase in their knowledge and confidence of Web 2.0 tools in supporting scientific inquiry in science. The implications of this study are that the online inquiry improved students’ knowledge and confidence in the skills and processes associated with inquiry and in science concepts.     

International students using online information resources to learn: complex experience and learning needs

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study that investigated 25 international students’ use of online information resources for study purposes at two Australian universities. Using an expanded critical incident approach, the study viewed international students through an information literacy lens, as information-using learners. The findings are presented in two complementary parts: as a word picture that describes their whole experience of using online information resources to learn; and as a tabulated set of critical findings that summarises their associated information literacy learning needs. The word picture shows international students’ resource use as a complex interplay of eight interrelated elements: students; information-learning environment; interactions (with online resources); strengths-challenges; learning-help; affective responses; reflective responses; and cultural-linguistic dimensions. In using online resources, the international students experience an array of strengths and challenges, and an apparent information literacy imbalance between their more developed information skills and less-developed critical information use. The critical findings about information literacy needs provide a framework for developing an inclusive informed learning approach that responds to international students’ complex information using experiences and needs. While the study is situated in Australia, the findings are of potential interest to educators, information professionals and researchers worldwide who seek to support learning in culturally diverse higher education contexts.     

Library Research Success: Designing an Online Tutorial to Teach Information Literacy Skills to First-Year Students

This article reports on a collaborative effort recently undertaken between librarians and faculty at Toronto's Seneca College to develop and implement an online, interactive tutorial for first-year business students enrolled in the College's School of Business Management. The concept for this tutorial arose when library management was approached by the Acting Chair from the College's School of Business Management to partner with them in developing a library tutorial that would be incorporated into the curriculum of this newly created course, and that would accommodate its over 600 first-year students. Library management agreed, and proposed developing a self-paced online, interactive tutorial that would utilize current Web-based technology. The primary pedagogical goals were to increase student knowledge of library resources in general, and business resources in particular, and to increase levels of information literacy and basic research skills. With the help of the College's Centre for New Technology and the Centre for Professional Development, the result was a five-module tutorial entitled Library Research Success that, in addition to its main content, also incorporated hands-on exercises at the end of each module, live connections to the Library's Web site and electronic databases, as well as two assignments, which were submitted electronically to professors at the end of the tutorial by each student, and which composed 25 percent of their final mark. Feedback from both faculty and students has been overwhelmingly positive, and efforts are currently underway to adapt this tutorial to meet the needs of other student groups within Seneca College.