E-Learning in LIS Education: The U.S. Experience

1. E-Learning in LIS Education: The U.S. Experience Terry L. Weech GSLIS University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA Presentation at University of Parma, Italy, March, 2004 Rev. March 8, 2004

2. Definitions of E-LearningE-Learning implies direct involvement in electronic delivery, usually by computer • DE - Distance Education • DE - Distributed Education • Off-campus • Correspondence • Open Learning • Web Based Education

3. Issues in E-Learning • Economics of E-Learning • Cost Effectiveness (Part-time Teachers) • Cost Benefit (Students do not have to relocate) • Profit Center (Full tuition is paid) • Politics of E-Learning • Increase Diversity of Student Body • Fashionable method of delivery

4. Issues in E-Learning • Quality of Programs • Completion Rates • Student Satisfaction • External Assessment • By accrediting or licensing agencies • By employers

5. Issues in E-Learning Quality of Programs • No Significant Difference Research Results http://teleeducation.nb.ca/nosignificantdifference/index.cfm • Am Distance Education Consortium http://www.adec.edu/about.html • Institute for Higher Education Policy http://www.ihep.com/Pubs/PDF/Quality.pdf • Sloan Consortium http://www.sloan-c.org/aboutus/

6. University of Illinois Experience • For more than 50 years had Off-Campus and Correspondence Courses • Proposed satellite program in Chicago not approved • Friday’s Only program for commuting students implemented in early 1990s • Need to meet needs of alternative students (racial and ethnic minorities, single mothers, etc.)

7. University of Illinois Experience • In 1995 a Internet Web Based program was proposed • The program was originally call called Leep because it was a Library Education Experimental Program • LEEP was the first graduate degree granting program in the University and one of the first web based LIS degree programs in the U.S.

8. LEEP Distance Education Program • Background • Masters of Science in Library & Information Science • Site independent • Primarily Internet-based • limited on-campus component • synchronous • asynchronous • Began 1996 • http://leep.lis.uiuc.edu

9. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Students • 200 students residing in 45 states (from Alaska to Florida), Washington DC, Virgin Islands, and 10 abroad • High retention, graduation, and placement rates (269 have graduated since established)

11. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Teachers • GSLIS full-time faculty (Perhaps 30% teach Leep) • Adjuncts (part-time) from 11 locations • Irvine, California to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

12. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Courses • 26 different courses • Examples: • Core - reference, cataloging, administration, collection development • Serving groups - media programs and services for children and young adults, adult public services, community information systems

13. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Course examples continued • Resources - children’s literature, business information, government publications • Activities - instruction, marketing, human resources management • Technology - systems analysis, interfaces to information systems

14. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Course design • Syllabus • Readings • text • coursepack • electronic reserve • Assignments • individual • group

15. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Course design continued • Allocation of content delivery & learning activities • Face-to-face • Synchronous sessions • Asynchronous communication

16. Teaching and Learning in LEEP • Library Support • Library and Information Science Library • Academic Outreach • Program design • Ways to enrich student experience and create sense of community

17. Technology in LEEP • Philosophy • Technology must support learning • Support is vital • Simple, stable technology

18. Technology in LEEP • Technology requirements • Pentium-class PC or Macintosh PowerPC • 32 MB of RAM • 500 MB hard drive space free • 28.8 or higher speed modem • Browser, email, Real Player, word processor

19. Technology in LEEP • Asynchronous components • Student decides when to work • Time-independent discussion • Collaboration • Tools • Email • Browser-based bulletin board system

20. Technology in LEEP • Synchronous components • Set, scheduled time for work • Uses • Class sessions • Office hours • Collaboration • Technology support • Graduation

21. Technology in LEEP • Synchronous components continued • Tools • Java-based chat room • Audio (One Way--Instructor lectures,students response by chat) • One-way video (Students can see Instructor)

22. Technology in LEEP • Support • One-on-one preparation with faculty • Workshops for students • Practice sessions • Support during live sessions • Ongoing support via phone, email, bulletin board

23. Technology in LEEP • Additional features • Password protection • Classes are archived • Guest speakers • Run two class sessions at one time

24. LEEP Distance Education Program Cost of LEEP 2 year program: $9,000 Illinois in-state $24,440 out-of-state, plus 5 trips to campus For more information on the LEEP Program see: http://leep.lis.uiuc.edu Based on a presentation developed by Linda C. Smith, Professor and Jill Gengler, Computer-Assisted Instruction Specialist at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Revised by Terry Weech, March, 2004