Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Keynote address: Disciplines, documents and data: emerging roles for libraries in the scholarly information infrastructure
- 3 Denmark's Electronic Research Library: implementation of user-friendly integrated search systems in Denmark
- 4 An African experience in providing a digital library service: the African Virtual University (AVU) example
- 5 Project StORe: expectations, a solution and some predicted impact from opening up the research data portfolio
- 6 Publishing, policy and people: overcoming challenges facing institutional repository development
- 7 Libraries as a social space: enhancing the experience of distance learners using social software
- 8 The rise of recommendation and review: a place in online library environments?
- 9 Re-usable learning objects for information literacy: are they practical?
- 10 An introduction to the LearnHigher Centre for Teaching & Learning (CETL), with particular reference to the information literacy learning area and its work on information literacy audits at Manchester Metropolitan University
- 11 Information skills through electronic environments: considerations, pitfalls and benefits
- 12 Development of information-related competencies in European open and distance learning institutions: selected findings
- 13 Improving information retrieval with dialogue mapping and concept mapping tools
- 14 Public libraries, learning and the creative citizen: a European perspective
- 15 A user-centred approach to the evaluation of digital cultural maps: the case of the VeriaGrid system
- 16 The process of assessment of the quality, usability and impact of electronic services and resources: a Quality Attributes approach
- 17 Reaching the unreachable in India: effective information delivery service model of DELNET and the challenges ahead
- 18 Breaking through the walls: current developments in library service delivery: observations from a Sri Lankan perspective
- 19 Meeting users’ needs online in real-time: a dream of librarians in the developing world
- 20 Information Central: a service success case study
- 21 Discrete library services for international students: how can exclusivity lead to inclusivity?
- 22 Are we ethical? A workshop on the ethical challenges of providing library services to distance learners
- 23 Involving users in a technical solution to help assess the accessibility of websites
- 24 The reality of managing change: the transition to Intute
- Index
7 - Libraries as a social space: enhancing the experience of distance learners using social software
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 June 2018
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Keynote address: Disciplines, documents and data: emerging roles for libraries in the scholarly information infrastructure
- 3 Denmark's Electronic Research Library: implementation of user-friendly integrated search systems in Denmark
- 4 An African experience in providing a digital library service: the African Virtual University (AVU) example
- 5 Project StORe: expectations, a solution and some predicted impact from opening up the research data portfolio
- 6 Publishing, policy and people: overcoming challenges facing institutional repository development
- 7 Libraries as a social space: enhancing the experience of distance learners using social software
- 8 The rise of recommendation and review: a place in online library environments?
- 9 Re-usable learning objects for information literacy: are they practical?
- 10 An introduction to the LearnHigher Centre for Teaching & Learning (CETL), with particular reference to the information literacy learning area and its work on information literacy audits at Manchester Metropolitan University
- 11 Information skills through electronic environments: considerations, pitfalls and benefits
- 12 Development of information-related competencies in European open and distance learning institutions: selected findings
- 13 Improving information retrieval with dialogue mapping and concept mapping tools
- 14 Public libraries, learning and the creative citizen: a European perspective
- 15 A user-centred approach to the evaluation of digital cultural maps: the case of the VeriaGrid system
- 16 The process of assessment of the quality, usability and impact of electronic services and resources: a Quality Attributes approach
- 17 Reaching the unreachable in India: effective information delivery service model of DELNET and the challenges ahead
- 18 Breaking through the walls: current developments in library service delivery: observations from a Sri Lankan perspective
- 19 Meeting users’ needs online in real-time: a dream of librarians in the developing world
- 20 Information Central: a service success case study
- 21 Discrete library services for international students: how can exclusivity lead to inclusivity?
- 22 Are we ethical? A workshop on the ethical challenges of providing library services to distance learners
- 23 Involving users in a technical solution to help assess the accessibility of websites
- 24 The reality of managing change: the transition to Intute
- Index
Summary
Introduction
LASSIE (Libraries and Social Software in Education) is funded by the Centre for Distance Education, University of London, UK, and runs from March to December 2007. Led by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Institute of Education, its project partners also include the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of London Research Library Services and the Open University Library. Colleagues at LSE represent the Library, the Centre for Learning Technology and LSE Archives.
LASSIE is exploring how ‘social software’ (or ‘Web 2.0’, see below) might enhance the use of library services by distance learners. The project addresses two concerns. First, University of London External Programme students do not make full use of electronic library resources; the reasons for this are varied, including a low awareness of how to access library resources and information literacy issues. Second, LASSIE provides an opportunity to explore how social software is affecting libraries and their services. The project will gather empirical evidence about which technologies enhance the experience of students, specifically distance learners, and those which are less valuable. The project also provides advice for the wider library community.
Another important element in the project is to examine the role of libraries as a social space. LASSIE recognizes that physical libraries have changed considerably over the last ten years, to reflect changes in the nature of education. The importance of collaboration, group work and communication in teaching and learning are widely recognized and libraries are being built as key learning spaces to reflect this shift. LASSIE is therefore interested in how virtual libraries might become more social. This paper is largely based on the literature review completed in July 2007.
Project overview
The research for LASSIE to date has primarily been gathered through a review of the literature, focusing on three key areas:
Libraries and social software: definitions and key developments.
What are the current issues in supporting distance learners and how might social software address these?
How are libraries developing as a physical and virtual social space?
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Libraries Without Walls 7Exploring ‘anywhere, anytime’ delivery of library services, pp. 59 - 70Publisher: FacetPrint publication year: 2008