Mixing It Up at the State Library of Iowa

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Mixing It Up at the State Library of Iowa

• Michele Leininger
• Continuing Education Consultant
• michele.leininger_at_lib.state.ia.us

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State Library of Iowa Training

• Focus is mainly on 543 public libraries
• Most of the training is attended by the small to
  medium sized libraries (populations from 80 to
  2500)
• Most training revolves around statewide programs,
  such as Standards, Certification and PLOW

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Training prior to multiple E-Learning tools

• Limited delivery methods dictated the length of
  class which in turn limited the topics
• Delivery methods available
• Face to Face (f2f) due to time, travel and
  cost, classes usually 3 to 6 hours in length
• Iowa Communications Network (ICN) Fiber optic
  network connecting schools, libraries and
  armories across the state. Allows live
  video/sound feed. Usually, no more than 2 hours
  in length
• Self-paced modules topics limited by what was
  available not creating our own

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Advantages to multiple E-Learning options

• Allows us to follow best practices of
  Instructional Design, which means that content
  dictates delivery
• Allows us to maximize f2f time
• Allows us to address different types of training
  bigger picture issues vs. just in time learning
  needs

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How Iowa is blending

• Using the State Librarys web site as a place for
  course management and just in time learning
• Using web boards for cohorts across the state to
  communicate with each other during 8-week
  management classes
• Using rapid e-learning software to create
  self-paced modules for just in time learning
  and to allow maximum advantage of f2f time

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What Iowa is blending

• Public Library Management classes class web
  site, f2f, ICN, web boards, web conferencing
• Readers Advisory classes class web site, web
  conferencing, self-paced modules, wiki, blogs,
  instant messaging (Meebo Me)
• PLOW f2f (hands-on), just-in-time documents,
  mail list, web conferencing
• Web Collect web conferencing, just-in-time
  documents, self-paced modules

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Why Iowa is blending

• With rising costs and a physically large state,
  we can keep up with continuing training goals
• Gives us more tools for the training toolbox so
  we can pair the right training with the right
  delivery method

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Why blending, cont

• Increases success in learner retention by
  addressing multiple learning styles
• Can shift training from passive learning
  (informational/lecture) to active learning
  (participatory/motivational)
• Higher completion rate of self-paced modules when
  blended with a synchronous session

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Thanks!

• Michele Leininger
• Continuing Education Consultant
• State Library of Iowa
• michele.leininger_at_lib.state.ia.us
• www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/continuing-ed