When I leave SI I want to be a public librarian working with young adults. Specifically, I would love to help them see how research can be fun and entertaining, and not just about the life and times of George Washington. The readings provided a great framework that I plan to employ from the ADDIE model (Veldof 2006, Creating the One Shot Library Workshop) and especially the free online screen cast tools reading (Griffis 2009, Building Pathfinders with Free Screen Capture Tools).
I am interested in this mode of instruction for a couple of reasons. One is, I am interested and enjoy web design, along with creating pathfinders. The second reason is, I am really a big proponent for open access, which I think includes information literacy. I could see myself using the free screen capture tools in the future for providing How-To tutorials on refining searches, using databases, or even creating your own stop-motion movie about the birth of Rock and Roll.
I think using screen casts can be very powerful and allow for instructional learning to be fun, creative and effective. For example, I would definitely make a screen cast of how to use a database like ABC-Clio: Pop Culture Universe to demonstrate how to first move around the database, and second, how to get results! I think screen casts could also be helpful for demonstrating how to evaluate a site. It allows for a little more interaction than words.
However, I feel screen casts use could cause further divide the online community. For example, people with visual impairments could find screen casts unhelpful or
frustrating. While I am excited to think about using these methods, I
also want to remember that there should be various options available in order for all persons to learn. It is also why I am a big fan of including good descriptive alternate titles for webpage images.
- What do you all think?
Screencasts may not be the first choice for the visually impaired, but they still have audio capability. You would definitely have to change your narrative and descriptive style for an audio-only screencast (soundcast?), though.
ReplyDelete"However, I feel screen casts use could cause further divide the online community. For example, people with visual impairments could find screen casts unhelpful or frustrating."
ReplyDeleteAgree - I should devote more time to how to make ADA-compliant screencasts. Making a note for next year!