Provision of Distance Learner Support Services at U.K. Universities: Identification of Best Practice and Institutional Case Study
Author(s)
Brooke, Charlotte
McKinney, Pamela
Donoghue, Angie
Issue Date
2013
Keyword(s)
Distance Learners
Abstract
An investigation of library support for distance learners (DLs) was
commissioned and conducted in partnership with the Distance
Learning Support Service (DLSS) at Sheffield Hallam University
(SHU). It aimed to collect evidence of best practice at U.K. university
libraries and develop a better understanding of the needs
and expectations of distance learners at SHU. The study used a
mixed-methods research strategy. A review of the literature established
key themes and informed the design of the data collection
tools. Librarians from two different institutions were interviewed,
and two separate self-completion questionnaires were distributed
to librarians at U.K. universities and DLs at SHU. Sixty-six librarians
(forty-one completed in full) and 112 DLs (109 completed in full)
responded to the questionnaires distributed. Results showed limited
use of synchronous virtual reference and user-education tools. The
biggest challenge faced by librarians is collaborating with course tutors.
A marked difference exists between what librarians believe are
the most significant challenges faced by DLs and what DLs identify
as challenges. Librarians need to experiment with technological innovations,
such as synchronous virtual referencing tools, to increase
the effectiveness and efficiency of future service provision.
Publisher
Johns Hopkins University Press and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ISSN
0024-2594
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46045
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Copyright 2013 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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