Distance Education Webcast a Big Draw
Dodie Ownes -- Library Journal, 11/18/2008 9:46:00 AM
- "Conveniently Located Everywhere" draws paraprofessionals and librarian wannabees
- Distance learning flexible, but requires same work as classroom study
- Prepares students for online work environment
A crowd equally divided among school, public, and academic library paraprofessionals and a host of librarian wannabees tuned in November 12 for the webcast Conveniently Located Everywhere, which was sponsored by San José State University School of Library and Information Science. From their registration questions, it was clear that listeners were eager to learn about getting an advanced degree in librarianship via distance education. Ken Haycock, professor and director of the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University, led a panel of faculty, alumnus, and a current student, who offered the many advantages/disadvantages of distance-ed programs. Noting that in Library Journal's recent survey of earnings by library school affiliation SJSU SLIS ranked third, Haycock reported that San José SLIS graduates are able to obtain high caliber jobs and described the different degree programs available.
Student Kelly Gordon emphasized that a distance-learning education is flexible, but still requires the same hours as, if not more than, a traditional classroom education. She also said that the variety of ways that students and faculty communicate and conduct courses and exams have prepared her for an online collaborative work environment. Debbie Faires, assistant director for Distance Learning at SLIS, reviewed the variety of systems and support in place there that help ensure students’ success, such as readiness assessment, peer mentoring, and a robust learning technology. The final speaker and SLIS alumnus, Rob Boyd, shared with attendees how getting the Executive MLIS from SJSU was much less painful than obtaining other advanced degrees he pursued through traditional learning methods. Now associate university librarian for Technology Applications in the University Library of Santa Clara University, CA, Boyd felt that the program was well balanced, with its combination of classes focusing on management as well as practical library work processes.
This free webcast is now available at Library Journal's webcast archives.
