Full stream ahead: database instruction through online videos
| Date | 01 December 2004 |
| Published date | 01 December 2004 |
| Pages | 366-374 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830410576326 |
| Author | Daniel Yi Xiao,Barbara A. Pietraszewski,Susan P. Goodwin |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Full stream ahead:
database instruction
through online videos
Daniel Yi Xiao
Barbara A. Pietraszewski and
Susan P. Goodwin
The authors
Daniel Yi Xiao is Learning Technology Librarian, Texas A&M
University Libraries, Educational Media Services, College Station,
Texas, USA.
Barbara A. Pietraszewski is Business Reference Librarian,
Kresge Business Library, University of Michigan Business School,
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Susan P. Goodwin is Instructional Services Coordinator, Texas
A&M University Libraries, Instructional Services Dept, College
Station, Texas, USA.
Keywords
Online operations, Interactive video, Trainingpackages, Libraries
Abstract
As the use of electronic library resources increases, the demand
for online support also multiplies. Information literacy and 24/7
customer support are some of the urgent issues related to
research in an electronic environment that many libraries are
trying to address today. This article describes an approach in
meeting these challenges, the Let-It-V (Learning E-Resources
Through Instructional Technology Videos) project at the Texas
A&M University Libraries. This study combines the use of
screen-captured videos and a streaming media encoder to
produce topic-specific videos for task-oriented demands. It is
visual, interactive, and seeks to provide just-in-time solutions at
a point of need. On-demand streaming is a viable, cost-effective
alternative for low bandwidth delivery of video-enabled library
instruction. The technologies involved, key development issues,
lessons learned and their implications for distance learning are
discussed.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is
available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Introduction
In recent years, as the number of available
electronic resources has skyrocketed and the
access to these resources has become more widely
available, the demand for online support has also
multiplied. This trend has presented a two-fold
challenge for many libraries: how to facilitate
online support on a 24/7 basis, and how to
communicate effectively to address queries
covering a wide range of topics from users differing
in skills and learning styles. Much of the support
that currently exists in most libraries is in the form
of library instruction, consisting of in-house
training, classroom teaching, and tours. Another
form of support involves the use of text-based
handouts and tutorials on the web. Still another
form is technical support via e-mail or phone.
None of these, however, meet a just-in-time
approach that the dynamic nature of the web can
facilitate and improve upon. The limitations are
obvious. Most traditional library instruction is
often introductory in nature, without reference to
every desirable detail. Text-based tutorials offer
little help when dealing with complex concepts or
processes. Direct assistance from library personnel
is only available when the libraries are open. In
today’s web environment, a more effective learning
tool is required to facilitate the support and
instruction of electronic resources in a manner that
appeals to the user.
Background and rationale
Texas A&M University (TAMU) Libraries ser ve
the research and teaching needs of over 44,000
students and faculty. The Libraries subscribed to
more than 4,000 electronic resources at the time
the project was being developed, approximately
10 percent of these being databases. Most of the
resources were accessible though the Libraries’
web portal. Users could access them online from
computer labs, offices, dorms, libraries, or from
off-campus locations through a proxy server
connection. Teaching and support of these
resources had quickly become a big issue for
reference staff: requests for database assistance by
phone were on the increase, especially during
weekend and evening hours, as was the number of
inquiries via the Libraries’ online reference form.
In 2000 the TAMU Libraries’ Research
Committee funded a team consisting of a media
librarian, an instruction librarian and a business
Library Hi Tech
Volume 22 · Number 4 · 2004 · pp.366-374
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited · ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830410576326
Received: 15 April 2003
Revised: 10 February 2004
Accepted: 7 April 2004
366
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