IL Strategies for Teaching Distance Learners Conversation Circle - 2017 IPAL IL Interest Group

Conversation starters:

What advantages of course-embedded instruction versus program-based resources & instruction do you see?
Does this change when considering adult learners or advanced degree programs?
What if the distance learners aren’t also online learners (i.e. a satellite campus program that is in person, but not online)?
What tools have you found to be most helpful online instruction (that might also be useful for face-to-face)?

Conversation notes:

Satellite: Simpson has 2 other campuses. Sometimes travel to satellite campuses to provide instruction in DSM/Ankeny area. Getting out to them, do ok. Continuing and Graduate programs. Short programs - super-condensed into 8 weeks makes it tricky to properly time instruction to meet student needs

Libguide focused on faculty as a directory to keep tutorials for faculty to add to their courses/LMS
Still working on integrating on LMS (Moodle)
On-campus instruction, hold class on campus rather than cancel class if away for conference
Handouts delivered to faculty offices to increase buy-in and use
Some instructors are used to relying on regional libraries (what they know) rather than tap into Simpson resources; don’t realize importance of student id/login access to databases/online resources
Hoping to have more professionally produced/appearing videos
Hoping to further brainstorm with director of continuing ed/grad program
Video tours with pictures and narration, but sometimes can fall flat with the audience

Face-to-face for a little while, but started a program in Cedar Rapids, but didn’t have a lot of information regarding student and faculty access
Opening a satellite campus in Tempe, AZ - issues or concerns to make it comparable with Dbq Face-to-face experience?

Assumptions of privilege and access (online DSL, computer access/ownership for students); also not providing additional staffing hours, time zone questions, availability of lab/technology spaces, will we spend more time tech troubleshooting rather than actually teaching IL skills?
We ship to seminary students, but on a 5 week plan for Tempe, by the time they ship, it’s too late. Can we develop a plan or partnership with an area library? What could their borrowing or requesting privileges be?
How can we get students over the “technology is scary” thing, especially at a distance with adult learners who may be less comfortable with tech?

Research guides for faculty and research guides for students - general info and then can develop more specific as requested.
Also addressing Singapore satellite program, but already partnered with local college there
Working on meeting expectations and desires of instruction for students - i.e. for seminary, they want your face in a video to feel a connection with you and the resources
Redo intro to library services video to help students see the spaces and faces with current staff
How can we serve students in a comparable way?

Expectations and understanding - can we set up an auto reply for emails when we’re not staffing the desk late in evenings or summer weekends and explain a few basic ways to access resources - If you need this, step-by-step clicks type of instructions.

Drake: starting 4 new entirely online masters programs and currently have some hybrid/blended masters programs online, experiential learning integration overseas, dissertation distance support (including registration and access support)

Blended helpful: working to get instructional designers aware of library resources and what students have access to already, to get that integrated sooner and more easily to head off students purchasing materials they already have access to.

Round 2!

University of Dubuque - full degree programs starting online, hybrid instruction (in and online classes)
Drake University - shared system and access to resources. What do others have, can we have access to their materials, how can we deliver resources to online students?
Embedded videos of information - how do you get the students to watch the video? Homework assignment? Final test of information?

Upper level classes-more focused presentations
Where are our students from, what do they know, what do they have access to for internet

LibGuides as tutorials
Library System (discovery, catalog) and Integrated learning systems - can it support our training resources?
Knowledge of teaching online and teaching online students
Hours of service - synchronous communication outside of main library hours for research appointments