Presented at American University

1. Michael L. Porter
May 25, 2010
American University Library

2. What Are Best Practices?
Peer-Reviewed

3. Why Use Best Practices?
Communicate Desired Results

4. What is Online Learning?
DISCUSSION
GROUPS
WEB CONFERENCE
Computer-Facilitated Learning
WEB SOURCES
QUIZZES
SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS

5. Areas of Best Practices

6. ACCESS
Degree-granting institution is responsible for facilitating convenient,
direct access to library resources, in appropriate formats, of
equivalent quality, as provided for in a traditional campus setting.
American Library Association
Standards for Distance Learning Library Services
Adopted July 1, 2008

7. Acquisitions
Regular and consistent funding for library resources and services to all online students regardless of
location or learning mode.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Purchase electronic and digital material as a “first option”
when available.
 NetLibrary
 MyiLibrary
 Provide simultaneous use of electronic and digital materials
to facilitate greater online usage and access.

8. Systems
Providing for technical linkages and connectivity between the library, online students and vendor
resources.
Recommended Best Practice:
 When possible accommodate students with varying levels of
technological access (i.e., low bandwidth, web browsers).
 Google Analytics
 Facilitate direct integrated access to resources via the course
management software (CMS).
 Bb Building Block (Link Maker)
 Configure library systems, applications and URLs for single
sign-on access.
 Bb Building Block (EZProxy)

9. INSTRUCTION
Degree-granting institution is responsible for providing
personnel and or instructional materials to address the
informational needs of online students.
American Library Association
Standards for Distance Learning Library Services
Adopted July 1, 2008

10. Human Access
Provide personnel to respond to online students in real-time, directly, regardless of location.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Provide instructional access within the online learning
environment.
 Web Conferencing
Elluminate
Wimba
 Chat
 Provide instructional access via the telephone.
 Toll-free number

11. Self-Paced
Provide instructional content that can be delivered over the Web, using a browser for anytime,
anywhere, self-paced accessibility.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Provide web-based instructional that is Flash-based.
 Demonstrations - Camtasia
 Animations - Flash
 Simulations - Captivate
 Lectures - Articulate Studio
 Provide instructional content in downloadable, portable
formats that compliment online learning.
 pdf
 swf
 mpeg
 wmv
 mp3

12. Information Literacy
Provide structured student-centered instructional program through which information literacy skills
can be obtained and developed.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Create a online credit, pass/fail course or module.
 Blackboard module / lesson
 Create a web-based credit, pass/fail course or module.
 Articulate Studio
 Adobe Captivate

13. SERVICES
Degree-granting institution must provide sufficient facilities,
equipment, communication tools and informational services in
formats accessible to the greatest number of users.
American Library Association
Standards for Distance Learning Library Services
Adopted July 1, 2008

14. Reference
Provide informational content that ensures optimal user access, supports curriculum needs and enriches
academic programs.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Provide students with web-based, course or program specific content.
 LibGuides
 Course pages
 User guides
 Conduct periodic evaluations to gather feedback concerning instructional needs.
 Surveys
 Interviews
 Participate in the curriculum development process and course planning.

15. Databases
Provide access to resources equivalent to those provided in traditional settings in order to meet the
online students’ needs in fulfilling course assignments.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Provide reliable, rapid, comparable access to online
research resources.
 Access to information providers should be facilitated through the course management
software.
 Authentication to databases should be facilitated through the course management software.
 Single Sign-On (EZProxy Building Block)
 Campus Portal

16. E-Reserves
Provide access to teaching materials at the point of learning in accordance with copyright and
fair-use policies.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Provide documents in a printable format.
 Adobe Reader (pdf)
 Provide direct access to E-Reserves via the course management software (CMS).
 Docutek ERes (Bb Building Block)
 Ares (Bb Building Block)

17. Document Delivery
Provide mechanism that facilitates the requests for full-text resources through a self-serve application
as well as automated requests via link resolvers.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Facilitate ILL requests via the course management software.
 Embedded link to request form.
 Electronic delivery system (ILLiad)
 If request cannot be filled, provide a prompt response with stated reason.
 Provide students with an estimated time for delivery of materials.
 Provide the ability to check the status of requests.
 Provide notification of completed requests.
 Provide students with access to your copyright and fair-use policy. (*)

18. Interlibrary Loan
Provide prompt delivery of items requested from other institutions through courier agreements.
Recommended Best Practice:
 Facilitate ILL requests via the course management software.
 Embedded link to request form.
 Electronic delivery system (ILLiad)
 If request cannot be filled, provide a prompt response with stated reason.
 Establish student-guest access privileges with other libraries. (*)
 Provide the ability to check the status of requests.
 Provide notification of completed requests.
 Provide students with access to your borrowing policy. (*)

19. Conclusion
- 2006 survey by Gardner Industry Research indicated that “many traditional
institutions were requiring faculty to use course management software to post
content, conduct assessments and facilitate course discussions”.
- 2006 ECAR Study of Undergraduate and Information Technology “found that ¾
of (28,700) of undergraduates use CMS, most using it several times a week”.
-“Course management software providers do not include the Library as an essential
curricular component in their design”.
-Students and faculty should have the ability to access appropriate resources and services
and complete research assignments without having to leave their online course.

20. Questions…

21. References
American Library Association (2008). Standards for Distance Learning Library Services. Retrieved
May 18, 2010, from
Buehler, M.A. (2004). Where is the library in course management software? Journal of
Library Administration, 41(1/2), 75-84.
EduCause (2006). ECAR Study of Undergraduate and Information Technology. Retrieved May
15, 2010, from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ers0607/ERS0607w.pdf
EduCause (2006). Faculty Use of Course Management Systems. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EKF/Ekf0607.pdf
Washburn, A. (2008). Finding the library in Blackboard: An assessment of library integration.
Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 4(3), 301-316.
Zastrocky, M., Marti, H., Jan-Martin, L. (2008). E-Learning for higher education: Course
Management Systems. Gartner Industry Research ID # G00125522. Retrieved May 15,
2010, from http://www.gartner.edu