Whose tutorial is it anyway

1
Whose tutorial is it anyway?

• Applying user-centered design in developing
  web-based information literacy tutorials

2
Some Background Information

• Miami University Libraries history with online
  tutorials
• User groups
• E-learn
• A little bit about the Two of Us
• We wear a lot of different hats
• Subject librarian vs. electronic information
  services librarian

3
Why Go To A New Tutorial?

• E-Learn is good, but..
• Very broad in scope
• Does not address intricacies of finding
  information in specific disciplines
• Hard to adapt to information/assignment needs for
  one specific class
• Very little communication between the designers
  and users (students, faculty, subject librarians)

4
Tutorial Background

• BMZ 115/116
• Introductory Biology Course containing majors
  (Botany, Microbiology, and Zoology) and
  non-majors as well.
• 800 students in approx 30 sections
• Lecture and lab course

5
Tutorial Background

• BMZ 115/116
• Improving Writing Initiative for course labs
• Involved BMZ fac grads, library, writing center
• Incorporate writing research throughout course
• Revamped lab manual

6
Tutorial Background

• BMZ 115/116
• Tutorial supports the course
• Too many sections for individual lectures
• First scientific course for most
• Get students started for basic lit review
  searches
• Can easily revisit for a skills refresher
• Available 24/7

7
Additions to the Landscape

• EAS 101
• Introductory course required for all first-year
  engineering and computer science students.
• 350 students in 8 sections
• 1-credit hour course

8
Additions to the Landscape

• Redesign and New Material
• General modules
• Specific examples for both BMZ and EAS

9
Whats In The Tutorial?

• Extension of Smart Searching initiative
• A common name for instruction sessions and
  handouts
• Give basic introductions to general databases
• Teach search techniques such as truncation
• Discuss search strategies, finding full text,
  etc.
• Provide opportunities for self-discovery

10
Whats In The Tutorial?

• Five Modules
• Using MiamiLINK
• Finding Journal Articles
• Citing Sources
• Searching For Web Information
• Finding Books
• A context-helpful glossary
• Library of Smart Searching Handouts

11
Whats In The Tutorial?

• Within Each Module
• Introduction
• Tools
• Techniques
• Practice
• A context-helpful glossary
• Library of Smart Searching Handouts

12
Whats Behind The Tutorial?

• Administrative Interface (created by PHP and
  MySQL)
• Flash games (Macromedia)
• Blogs (Worldpress)
• Camtasia (TechSmith)

13
Implementations

• BMZ 115/116
• Rolled out in Fall 2004
• Major changes underway
• EAS 101
• Fall 2006 target date

14
Results/Feedback

• Less BMZ traffic at Reference Desk
• Now 2-3 questions compared to 30-40.
• Feedback

15
Future Aspirations

• Finish and mount other modules
• Encourage other librarians to participate

16
Smart SearchingFinding, Citing Evaluating
Informationhttp//elearn.lib.muohio.edu/science/b
mz/ Jen-chien Yujyu_at_lib.muohio.eduEric
Resnisresnisew_at_muohio.edu