Education for Information - Volume 28, issue 2-4

Authors: Mathew, K. Susan | Baby, M.D. | Pillai, S. Sreerekha

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper aims to bring out the problems and prospects of the professional development opportunities of academic library professionals in the Universities in Kerala. The study is a part of research undertaken to survey the professional development activities and educational needs of library professionals in the major Universities of Kerala in the context of developments in information communication technology. The study recommends methods to improve the knowledge and skills of library professionals. The aim of the study is to evaluate the professional development activities of Library professionals and their attitude towards continuing education programmes. In order to achieve the objectives …of the study a survey was conducted with the help of structured questionnaires distributed to 203 library professionals in seven major universities in Kerala, (South India) of which 185 questionnaires were returned. Results of the analysis show that majority of the professionals have pursued higher degrees in library science or IT allied courses after entering the profession, and that they have a positive attitude towards participation in training programmes and workshops. The results show that developments in ICT have a positive influence on majority of library professionals' attitude towards continuing education programmes. Show more

Keywords: Professional development, continuing education programmes (CEP), library professional, educational needs, information communication technology (ICT)

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0903

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 215-225, 2011

Authors: Dizon, Fernan R. | Sagun, Karryl Kim A. | Alfiler-Macalalad, Ana Grace P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper intends to shed light on the predicament faced by many Filipino. Librarians: the lack of local institutions offering a library and information science (LIS) postgraduate degree. The paper aims to reveal the state of Philippine LIS postgraduate education by considering the number of librarians who have pursued and are still pursuing postgraduate degrees, and identifying the universities they have selected, locally and overseas. The data were gathered from responses to an online questionnaire posted on websites of local libraries as well as professional networks, supported by phone interviews. Responses were further validated through electronic correspondence. The study yielded …constructive information on the state of library and information science postgraduate education. Most respondents have pursued or are pursuing education-related postgraduate degrees in the Philippines. Of the number of respondents, only a handful have pursued or are pursuing postgraduate education in library and information science in other countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, and United Kingdom. Show more

Keywords: Librarianship, postgraduate education, Philippines, library science, library education

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0904

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 227-231, 2011

Authors: Sarrafzadeh, Maryam | Hazeri, Afsaneh | Alavi, Soheila

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present paper discusses results of a study which aimed to explore the knowledge and use of Web 2.0 technologies by LIS academics in Iran and to explore the challenges they face for using these technologies. The research method was explorative and empirical. Data was collected through a web-based survey questionnaire containing both open and close ended questions. The results show that LIS academics in Iran had a good level of familiarity with some Web 2.0 tools such as blog, wiki, YouTube and Facebook. However, their familiarity with some other Web 2.0 tools such as RSS feeds, Twitter, Flickr, Delicious …and podcast was limited. Blogs, discussion groups, chat tools, file sharing tools, Wikis and SMS, video sharing tools and forum were used respectively by LIS academics in their teaching. Internet filtering was identified as the most inhibiting barrier to the use of Web 2.0 tools. Lack of access to high speed internet and lack of training were the other identified barriers. The authors suggest that to reap the benefits of Web 2.0, LIS academics need to find alternative non filtered Web 2.0 tools to employ in their teaching and research. Show more

Keywords: LIS education, Iran, education 2.0, Library 2.0, Web 2.0 technologies

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0905

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 233-245, 2011

Authors: Yu, Halida | Noordin, Siti Arpah | Mokhtar, Sobariah Awang | Abrizah, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Resource-based school projects have good potential to be an effective approach in information literacy instruction (ILI). These projects offer the opportunity for students to engage in information problem-solving learning activities and employ various learning skills, including information literacy (IL). The researchers seek to explore ILI through resource-based projects to shed more light in this area. This paper aims at better understanding the integration of IL through the context of school project work. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the respondents involved in this single case study are three project supervisors/teachers and six 15 years old students who are involved in two …project assignments. The study employed semi-structured interviews with the teachers and focus-group interview with the students. Findings of the study show that all teachers interpret IL as ICT skills and admitted to not teaching “IL” during project supervisions. It also reveals that only minimum IL integration took place during project supervision, where only IL elements of lower levels were involved in that integration. Show more

Keywords: Information literacy, information literacy instruction (ILI), resource-based project, secondary school, Malaysia

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0906

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 247-268, 2011

Authors: Anna, N.E. Variant

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to discover and describes the type of information technology (IT) units in bachelor degree of LIS education curriculum through the universities' official websites. This paper tries to find out what are the types of IT units in bachelor degree of LIS course in Indonesia. How does it fit the need of the information age? The research method is using curriculum observation through the universities official websites and interviewing some LIS coordinators. The author searched for IT units based on its name, description, and, cluster that available on the curriculum structure, and interviewed some LIS …coordinators and lecturers regarding the curriculum structure. Following that, the data is classified into categories and finally each category is discussed. The research finding from 8 universities surveyed shows different portion of IT units. The range of the IT units offered in the curriculum is from 6 to 14 units. This is because each university has specialty that differ from one to another. However, those IT unit titles have similarity such as introduction to basic computer and information technology, information retrieval system, library automation, and digital library and web design. All of the IT units aim to support student skill in IT so they can help them handle the library and information job. This is only preliminary research, and there were still many areas that need to be covered. For further research, the involvement of the LIS course coordinators and IT lecturers is needed to discover and to gain in-depth information about the role of IT units in LIS education. Show more

Keywords: LIS education, LIS curriculum, information technology, Indonesia, curriculum development, information technology unit

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0907

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 269-277, 2011

Authors: Nieuwenhuysen, Paul

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this study is to improve the subsequent editions of an international training program in information management. Up to now 15 editions have been organized, coordinated by the author of this paper. Most participants work in developing countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. Each program takes place mainly in Brussels, Belgium, for about three months. One program has been organized each year, on average. The following are research questions: how to obtain financial support? How to organize the management of the program? How to exploit the fast evolution of ICT, to announce each new program? Same question for …the communication with participants before and during the program. How to improve the use of computers and internet by the participants? How to cope with the heterogeneity of the participants? Which contents to provide in the curriculum? Which types of learning experiences should we offer in this kind of training program? How to adapt to the specific needs of the students? How to assist the participants in translating their experience into a support for their future work? How to motivate the participants to use the training for concrete implementations in their home institute? How to deal with the reality that there is not just one solution for each challenge, while participants want to receive concrete solutions for needs in their home organization? What can be the function of assessment of each participant in such programs? How to provide a basis for future professional contacts among participants? How to use the program not only for professional development, but also as eye opener to other cultures? How to follow-up progress made by participants in their home organization? The training programs have served as lively laboratories to investigate how we can improve them. For each of the research questions above, we describe the situation during the first programs, the changes that we made during subsequent programs, and our view on the success of the various attempts towards improvement. Show more

Keywords: Libraries, education, training, information science, information studies, international aspects, internationalization, Internet, WWW

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0909

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 279-290, 2011

Authors: Chang, Yun-Ke | Morales-Arroyo, Miguel Angel | Than, Hla | Tun, Zarchi | Wang, Zhujun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Wikis are a supporting tool for pupils' learning and collaboration. Tasks such as cooperative authoring, joined workbooks creation, document review, group assignments, reflection notes and others have been tried out using wikis as a facilitating tool [1]. However, few studies have reported how students actually perceive some well-claimed benefits. This study investigated the perception of learning activities facilitated by wikis, and the effectiveness of several roles wikis might play in constructive and collaborative learning. This study tried to answer the following questions. How do students perceive a wiki as a learning tool? How does a wiki support constructive learning skills? …How does a wiki support student's collaborative learning skills? How does collaboration in wiki facilitate students' content learning and project work? The study was conducted using a survey method to examine the perception of wiki usage and collaborative and constructive learning. In the reported study, a questionnaire was used to gather data from 92 graduate students. The results suggest that using wikis were perceived to enhance collaborative knowledge building among students, but it did not contribute much to learning the subject matter although students were more involved in the learning process than with conventional teaching methods. In other words, it indicates that students may not obtain better return of investment on the time spent in using wiki as a learning tool. While wiki did contribute to enrich the learning experience, further study is needed to investigate how to link the learning process with learning outcomes using this type of collaboration tools. Show more

Keywords: Wikis, collaborative learning, constructive learning

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0910

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 291-303, 2011

Authors: Toshimori, Atsushi | Mizoue, Chieko | Matsumoto, Makoto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The student surveys are conducted to better understand the student's views and help restructure curriculum. This article explored characteristics of students of the College of Knowledge and Library Sciences (KLIS) at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. The KLIS conducted two kinds of student surveys in 2009 and 2010: a) a standardized survey and b) internal surveys. The results of the surveys showed many students attended the KLIS to major in library and information sciences. Students expressed a high level of satisfaction with the academic program and the general quality of classes provided. While few of the younger students were …aware of the importance of computer competency, the importance of computer courses becomes more apparent in more senior years, indicated by lower dissatisfaction in higher grades. Based on these student surveys, the KLIS has already reformed its curriculum started in 2007. The authors hope their ideas will progress by combining a standardized student survey with a specialized one. This will lead to a better understanding of who the students are and what they want, and such efforts can maintain the students' high satisfaction levels and their assessment of the high quality of classes. Show more

Keywords: Curriculum, standardized student survey, self-efficacy, evidence-based reform, student evaluation

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0913

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 305-314, 2011

Authors: Warraich, Nosheen Fatima | Ameen, Kanwal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper explores the perceptions of Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates about their learning outcomes in the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programme at the University of the Punjab and their employment outcomes in the marketplace. Why do LIS graduates choose librarianship as a profession in Pakistan? What is their level of learning in coursework after completion of the MLIS; and what is their level of satisfaction regarding different aspects of the MLIS programme? Is the MLIS degree market oriented? An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted by the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) University of …the Punjab (PU) to the graduates of the last three sessions (from 2008 to 2010). From the sample (N =80), fifty-eight (72.5%) responded. Based on the analysis of 58 responses, LIS graduates joined the profession of librarianship due to the referral of their family members, better job prospects and love for books and reading. The respondents were highly satisfied with the following courses: marketing of Library services, IT knowledge and Library automation, but they were least satisfied with their cataloguing and classification skills. As for as their employment outcomes are concerned, almost two third (67%) got job on the basis of their MLIS. More than the half (53%) got jobs within two months of their graduation. They suggested that MLIS programme should more focus on practice as compared to theory. Show more

Keywords: Master in library and information science (MLIS) programme, university of the Punjab-Pakistan, learning outcomes, employment outcomes, employability Skills-LIS graduates

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0914

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 315-324, 2011

Authors: Amran, Noraizan | Bahry, Farrah Diana Saiful | Yusop, Zulkefli Mohd | Abdullah, Szarina

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The study was conducted among students with some or no background in science and technology subjects (non S&T students) who enrolled in the Faculty of Information Management in a Malaysian public university during semester 2009/2010. It aims to identify students' learning styles on technical courses in order to provide inputs to instructors' design for a curriculum to suit students' learning styles. The objectives of the study are: 1, to identify the preferred learning styles of non-S&T students on technical courses; and 2, to examine the differences in learning styles between male and female students, their academic achievements, and their programs …of study. The instrument used to identify students' learning styles is the Barsch Learning Style Inventory (BLSI) consisting of 24 simple questions. Altogether 122 completed responses from 200 students were used for data analysis. Findings indicate that Visual is the most preferred while Kinesthetic is the least preferred learning style. This result applies to both male and female students in all programs of studies and at different levels of academic achievements. The findings are useful for curriculum designers, instructors, and those involved in teaching/learning, and curriculum development. Students themselves can take advantage of the learning techniques that will best suit their identified style. Show more

Keywords: LIS education, Malaysia, learning styles, Malaysian students, Barsch Learning Style Inventory

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-2010-0915

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 28, no. 2-4, pp. 325-339, 2011