Alive and Clicking 2: Online Learning Explored

En-route online tutorial generator: Flinders University Library

Miranda Morfey

• Decided to develop an interactive e-learning training package to better meet the training needs of:
  
  • remote students
  • large classes
• Currently available training packages:
  
  • pedagogically unsound
  • do not reflect local training needs
• Previously interactive e-learning initiative:
  
  • rigid
  • required programming skills

• Library was successful in obtaining a small grant from the university to develop this software
• Allows liaison librarians to create interactive tutorials
• Programming and html skills not needed

Advantages

• Pedagogically sound:
  
  • participatory
  • self-paced
• Pull not push: motivation
• Multiple simultaneous users not restricted by licences
• Cheaper and quicker to developing tutorials
• Wider range of tutorials can be provided
• They can be adapted for specific local needs

• Initially deployed in first semester 2004
• 10 tutorials created to date by 5 librarians
• Academic staff have supported the use of the tutorials: some created in response to requests
• Valuable part of the library's efforts to support the university's initiatives in:
  
  • e-learning
  • flexible delivery
  • off-shore teaching
  • teaching large classes

Technical design

• Written in PHP4: an open-source server side HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic web pages.
• Stable
• Cross-platform
• Two modules:
  
  • Student view
  • Administration module
• Entirely web based

Student module

• Accessible to all from library home page - no log in:
• Embedded within WebCT sites: SPTH 1401
• Intro text in top frame explains what you will learn and how tutorial works
• Can start tutorial and progress through in order (preferred) or jump straight to specific section
• Are viewing a copy of original site, so only links you are instructed to click on will work: designer sets path student will take through tutorial
• System requirements for tutorial are same as for website it teaches

Admin module

• The designer:
  
  • Takes snapshots of a website
  • Writes an explanation of each page
  • Gives instructions to access the next page
  • Writes customisable error messages
  • Preview the page, clicking on the link you want students to click on

En route student views

En route administration module

Future developments:

• Develop more tutorials
• Link within more WebCT courses
• Promote to remote students

Link to tutorials:

http://www.lib.flinders.edu.au/tutorial/