What
is the role of the Cornell
University Library
in distributed learning?
The Cornell
University Library's key areas of interest in distributed learning
involve the development and preservation of content and services
that
take advantage of a technology-rich environment. Distributed learning
provides an opportunity for the Library to build a stronger relation
with
faculty and other Cornell service providers to be seamlessly integrated
in to the academic process. The Library already has in place a rich
array
of collections and services to support faculty and students in distributed
learning realm. Here are the areas in which the Library will be
contributing
to the implementation of technology-mediated instruction both in
residential
and distance modes:
Library
Resources
- Identify,
select, and acquire digital and print information sources.
- Create
digital content (e.g., digitizing print materials).
- Assist
in tailoring library resources to meet faculty's specific curricula
needs.
- Organize
the library's digital content so that it is readily accessible
by a global audience.
- Develop
and manage new information discovery and delivery mechanisms
to facilitate access to networked resources.
- Ensure
the longevity of these resources for future use.
Course
Development
- Work
with faculty to identify, locate, and acquire or create specialized
content to support technology-mediated instruction (e.g., locating
information sources to assist faculty in updating and augmenting
lecture notes; verification of various information elements such
as
statistical data; identification of additional illustrations).
- Help
to identify required or supplementary resources for assignments
and projects to enrich student's e-learning process (e-reserve,
supporting material for case studies, research projects, etc.).
- Incorporate
information on how to find and evaluate information
into virtual courses.
-
Provide current awareness services to keep digital course
content up-to-date.
Reference
and Instruction Services
- Provide
reference and referral services about information resources
from various sources (the Library collection, other libraries
and
institutions, and Web resources) through voice, email, chat services,
and other means.
- Assist
in obtaining information through document delivery,
electronic reserves, and ILL (reciprocal and contractual
borrowing privileges).
- Provide
instruction in the identification, evaluation, and use
of digital and print information sources.
- Instill
lifelong learning skills through information literacy instruction
in the form of workshops and tutorials to assist learners in
acquiring competencies required to locate, retrieve, evaluate,
and use information.
- Modify
the Library's instruction programs to better fit the new
learning environment, which is characterized by a preference
for interactive, self-paced online tutorials that support different
learning styles in a just-in-time fashion.
- Offer
joint workshops with CIT to help students and faculty
acquire core information technology skills that are necessary
for learning and teaching in a technology-mediated instruction
environment (e.g., CourseInfo, DreamWeaver, presentation software,
HTML, JavaScripts, EndNote to manage bibliographic references,
etc.).
- Work
with CIT to develop the information discovery and retrieval
proficiency of student assistants who are providing support to
faculty members.
Content
Development and Metadata
- Partner
with faculty in creating digital collections (image, audio, video)
that the Library will be responsible for maintaining and making
accessible over time.
- Provide
consultation and training in creating, organizing, and managing
digital collections that support faculty's research and teaching
activities.
- Facilitate
the development of common metadata and content structuring
standards for instructional and other digital collections that
will be
managed by the libraries and other entities within the University.
Copyright
Services
- Coordinate
the development of a suite of copyright services in collaboration
with the Office of the University Council, CIT, and the Cornell
Store.
- Research
copyright ownership and assist in securing permissions for
materials to be incorporated in distributed learning materials.
- Provide
information services to inform faculty of Cornell-specific and
general copyright clearance procedures (Web site, consultancies,
forums, training, current awareness services).
- Offer
interpretation of copyright as it applies to distributed learning,
in conjunction with the Office of the General Counsel and the
OIT
Policy Advisor and other appropriate legal experts.
- Advise
faculty on managing the copyright for the materials they
create themselves.
- Develop
and maintain a rights management database for
copyright-related metadata.
Collaborations
with Other Cornell Service Providers
Collaborate
with CIT in the design of courses including the identification
of new resources to enhance and transform course content.
Participate
in the development of common standards and best practices
for organizing and managing course objects.
Collaborate
with CIT and other partners to evaluate and select Course
Management Systems (CMS).
Contribute
to the assessment of effectiveness of technology-mediated
instruction and the related Cornell services.
Provide
information about distributed learning services at Cornell
(resource center) to provide faculty with systematic assistance
in identifying
relevant resources and services in support of their specific projects.
Also
see:
Complementarity in Distributed Learning: The Roles of
Cornell Information Technologies and the Cornell University
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