Education for Information - Volume 17, issue 1

Authors: Muddiman, Dave

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Debates about the future of information and library education are often framed by assumptions about progress associated with a promised “information society”. This paper presents an alternative perspective which characterises contemporary society as complex, fragmented and “postmodern”. It suggests that conventional librarianship and information science are infused with “modern” concepts of enlightened social progress based on “public knowledge” and that they have thus found it difficult to adapt to such postmodern times. Information and library education has, as a result, become preoccupied with the “management” of information and knowledge and its associated technologies of performance maximisation. The paper argues that …such a focus on information management needs to be balanced by new, reconceptualised information science curricula. Such curricula, it is claimed, need to be responsive to the flux and creative potential of the postmodern / networked age, but also underpinned by principles of humanism, empowerment and critical distance. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17101

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-19, 1999

Authors: Oberg, Dianne | Henri, James

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article examines the concerns of instructors and students in two distance learning programs in teacher-librarianship: a new program at the University of Alberta in Canada, and an established program at Charles Sturt University in Australia. Instructors and students in the new program were concerned about the issue of equivalent standards, but this was not a meaningful question for those in the established program where distance education was a way of life. The issues raised by instructors and students in established programs included credibility, costs, equity, practicality, student community, and student support. The article concludes with a discussion of five …major themes common to the new and established programs: changing pedagogy; maintaining credibility; cost/benefits for students; cost/benefits for instructors; and benefits of collaboration. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17102

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 21-33, 1999

Authors: Alemna, A.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This forms the concluding part of studies carried out by the Department of Library and Archival Studies, University of Ghana on the professional careers and activities of graduates of its Graduate-Diploma programme. As far as possible, the findings are compared with results of the earlier studies.

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17103

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 35-43, 1999

Authors: Alemna, Philippa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Internet is, as yet, relatively little explored or understood as a space for formal, continuing professional development (CPD) activity. This paper provides an overview of the pedagogic and technical models which were developed for an Internet-based course for library and information staff in 1997-8, and highlights some key themes arising from participant feedback. The course was offered by NetLinkS, a training and awareness project funded by the UK Higher Education Funding Councils' Electronic Libraries programme. The design of the course was underpinned by constructivist educational principles and an integrated approach to learner support was taken in the design and …sequencing of activities, the use of information resources, approaches to tutoring, and technological design, facilities and help. The paper highlights some challenges experienced by participants in engaging in this approach to CPD and suggests some implications for the support of independent, collaborative networked learning. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17104

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 45-58, 1999

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17105

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 59-69, 1999

Article Type: News

Abstract: Conferences: Fourth International Conference on Grey Literature; Third International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Sci-ence (CoLIS 3); 27th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science/Association canadienne des sciences de l'information; 7th International Popular Culture Conference, Cambridge; Sixth ICECS: The IEEE CAS Society Region-8 Conference; The Ninth Off-Campus Library Services Conference; IASTED International Conference; Local library global community: the public library in the age of the Internet; Library schools: University of North Carolina; University of Pittsburgh; National Taiwan University; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Steven I. Goldspiel Research Grant; Graduate awards for interdisciplinary study in digital libraries; Publications: Urban …Library Journal; Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography; Information Research Show more

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17106

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 71-95, 1999

Authors: Moore, N.

Article Type: Addendum

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1999-17107

Citation: Education for Information, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 97-97, 1999