Adult learners’ use of flexible online resources in a blended programme

This paper presents a case study of a blended programme for adults and discusses findings from a mixed‐methods investigative study of learners’ and tutors’ experiences of the programme. The programme employs a set of flexible online resources, which are activity‐based and designed to provide choice in study routes and modes of learning. Our research has identified four main strategies used by learners when working with these resources: universalists, butterflies, changelings, and minimalists. We discuss these strategies and consider the value learners feel they have gained from the flexible programme. The strategies identified have implications for course designers and facilitators, requiring an increased emphasis on the course process over course content, and support for the development of learners’ confidence.

Wie erfahrene Anfänger flexible Online‐Mittel in einem Vermischten Programm benutzen

Dieses Papier präsentiert als Fallstudie ein gemischtes Programm für Erwachsene und bespricht die Ergebnisse einer mit gemischten Methoden durchgeführten Studie und die Erfahrungen von Anfängern und Tutoren mit diesem Programm. Das Programm verwendet eine Reihe auf Selbsttätigkeit beruhender flexibler Online‐Mittel, die die Wahl der Studienwege und Lernweisen unterstützen sollen. Unsere Forschung hat vier von Anfängern verwendete Hauptstrategien identifiziert, die mit diesen Mitteln arbeiteten: Universalisten, “Schmetterlinge”, Wechsler, und Minimalisten. Wir besprechen diese Strategien und prüfen, was die Anfänger unserer Meinung nach von der Nutzung dieser flexiblen Programme glauben gewonnen zu haben. Die identifizierten Strategien haben als Implikationen für Kurs‐Entwickler und Vermittler eine vergrößerte Betonung auf den Kurs‐Prozess über den Kurs‐Inhalt zu legen und die Entwicklung von Selbstvertrauen der Anfänger zu unterstützen.

Les apprenants adultes et l’utilisation des ressources en ligne « souples » dans le cadre d’un programme mixte

Cet article présente une étude de cas, celle d’un programme mixte destiné aux adultes et examine les résultats d’une étude approfondie des expériences vécues par les étudiants et les tuteurs au cours de ce programme, menée en mélangeant plusieurs méthodes. Ce programme a recours à un ensemble de ressources souples en ligne, qui sont fondées sur des activités et conçues pour fournir des choix d’itinéraires d’étude et de modes d’apprentissage. Notre recherche a identifié quatre stratégies principales utilisées par les apprenants lorsqu’ils travaillent avec ces ressources: les universalistes, les papillons, les mutants et les minimalistes. Nous comparons ces stratégies et examinons quelle valeur les apprenants pensent avoir retirée du programme souple. Les stratégies identifiées ont des implications pour les concepteurs et facilitateurs des cours car elle demandent que l’on porte une attention plus grande au processus du cours plutôt qu’au contenu et qu’on soutienne le développement de la confiance des apprenants.

Los alumnos adultos y el uso de los recursos en línea flexibles dentro de un programa mixto

Este artículo presenta el estudio de caso de un programa mixto para adultos y examina los resultados de un estudio y investigación (llevado a cabo a través de un abordaje plurimetodólogico) de las experiencias vividas por los alumnos y tutores del programa. Este programa utiliza un conjunto de recursos flexibles en línea que son basados en actividades y diseñados para ofrecer alternativas en la elección de los itinerarios de estudio y los modos de aprendizaje. Nuestra investigación ha identificado cuatro estrategias principales utilizadas por los alumnos cuando están trabajando con esos recursos: los universalistas, las mariposas, los mutantes y los minimalistas. Discutimos de esas estrategias y examinamos el valor que los alumnos piensan que han sacado del programa flexible. Las estrategias identificadas conllevan consecuencias para los diseñadores y facilitadores de cursos como la necesidad de mayor énfasis en el proceso del curso (más que en el contenido propio) y al mismo tiempo un apoyo para el desarrollo de la confianza de los alumnos.     

Tomorrow’s a mystery: constructions of the future and ‘un/becoming’ amongst ‘early’ and ‘late’ career academics

Abstract

Constructing a secure sense of a professional future has become increasingly difficult for early career researchers, whilst concerns about present and future job in/security have also been expressed in relation to already-established academics. In this paper, we draw on qualitative data from a U.K. study to explore everyday conceptualisations of the future for both ‘early career’ and ‘late career’ academics, in the context of increased fears and actualities of occupational precarity. We utilise theories of the social construction of time, as well as a conception of precarity and ‘precarization’ utilised by Butler (2009a, 2009b) and Lorey (2015), relating to ‘politically induced’ forms of insecurity that are a direct product of neoliberalism. The research reveals a variety of forms and levels of concern and anxiety by both groups for their own futures, and for the future of the academy as a whole.     

A Welcome Dialogue Concerning the Need for Research on the Effectiveness of Summer Library Reading Programs: A Response to Ray Lyons's Critique

In his article, “Overstating Summer Reading Impact: The Dominican Study,” which appeared in PLQ 30, no. 1 (2011), library consultant Ray Lyons, who is the codeveloper and coauthor with Keith Curry Lance of LJ’s Star Rating system, published a critique of the study authored by Susan Roman, Deborah Carran, and Carole Fiore. PLQ editors provided an opportunity for the three scholars involved in the Dominican University-LIS study to reply to the article. This communication is that reply.     

A Study of the Variables Influencing Academic Library Staff's Attitudes Toward Marketing

This article aims to present an insight into some of the factors influencing the attitudes of academic library staff in three UK university libraries toward marketing and how these factors could be incorporated into an existing model. An online questionnaire about attitudes to marketing and personality was completed by 54 academic library staff from three UK universities. Four academic library management staff were also selected for in-depth interviews. The results indicated that academic library staff have a positive attitude toward marketing and feel that it is vital in the current environment. The research found that personality factors such as extroversion and openness to change, experience and training influenced marketing attitudes. It also revealed that academic library staff were unclear of the definition of marketing, leading to a possible misunderstanding and mistrust of the terminology. The research discovered a gap in marketing knowledge and understanding that must be addressed for marketing success to be achieved. The findings supported the definition of marketing for individual academic libraries as a prerequisite to strategic marketing planning and the importance of considering the attitudes of staff when implementing marketing strategy.