The use of videoconferencing to support learning: an overview of issues relevant to the library and information profession

Issue title: Networked learner support

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cochrane, Clive

Affiliations: Division for Management and Information Systems, The Queen's School of Management, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Abstract: The use of asynchronous communication in higher education is now familiar to many learners. There is increasing interest in the application of videoconferencing, an example of synchronous communication, for the delivery of learning programmes. By way of illustration, some of the uses of videoconferencing by the two universities in Northern Ireland are discussed and research reports analysed. To gauge the potential of videoconferencing for the library and information profession a survey of all schools of librarianship and information science in the British Isles was administered and the results are discussed. Looking to the future it is suggested that desktop videoconferencing offers an added dimension to the field of networked learner support, which the library and information profession should consider seriously.

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1996-14406

Journal: Education for Information, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 317-330, 1996