Web-Based Instruction - Softcover

Sharpless Smith, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838908055 ISBN 13: 9780838908051

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2001

Synopsis

This guide provides instruction for creating a Web-based library instruction program. It describes the qualities of effective programs, offers advice on choosing hardware, software, and levels of interactivity, and suggests methods for refining a program once it's in place. Specific chapters concentrate on design and development, user interface, multimedia, and evaluation and testing. Smith is a librarian for Wake Forest University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

About the Author

Susan Sharpless Smith is the Technology Team Leader for Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has also served as the library's electronic resources librarian and in this capacity managed and authored the reference department Web site and library instruction program. Smith received a master's degree in Educational Technology Leadership at George Washington University where her concentration was on the development of educational Web sites, and a master's degree in library and information science from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Smith chairs the North Carolina Library Association's Technology and Trends Round Table.

From Library Journal

While many libraries are already using the web effectively as a tool for library instruction and training, this practical guide by an academic librarian and technology team leader at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, is ideal for those libraries that would like to but don't know where to begin. Smith clearly states the goals of each chapter. Starting with an introduction to the concept of web-based instruction, she then discusses the types of web-based library instruction and the designing and development cycle; selecting project development tools, including software and hardware; designing the user interface; using multimedia; introducing interactivity; and evaluation and testing. Smith's book focuses on preproduction, the most important stage of any web project, but it also provides a good overview of web technology in general (even though it's not intended as an HTML guide) and contains useful tips obviously garnered from years of experience. Good "face to face" library instruction will never be replaced, and, as the author states, web-based instruction is not for everyone. However, this method can be used to either enhance traditional library instruction or reach nontraditional audiences, such as those with limited language skills and distance education constituencies. Recommended primarily for academic librarians responsible for bibliographic instruction. Public librarians may also find it useful, and it can serve as supplemental reading in appropriate library science courses. Robert L. Battenfeld, Long Island Univ.
Southampton Coll. Lib., NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0838908055
• ISBN 13: 9780838908051
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 194