ONLINE TUTORIALS & E-LEARNING
In our last class we discussed online tutorials created to instruct users, such as screen casts for library patrons explaining how to use a particular electronic resources. We explored what the technologies were behind these online tutorials, how these technologies work, and how to choose the appropriate technology for a particular tutorial.
A tutorial needs careful consideration before choosing a technology to represent the subject matter adequately. Some tutorials absolutely need the visual element, so a podcast wouldn’t be the appropriate delivery method. Others have less complicated information to share so a simpler delivery method would be fine, while another tutorial might require more options for fully coverage of the subject matter. Audience consideration is also very important. What is the technology level of the audience the tutorial is directed at; also is the tutorial being created specifically for an audience with special needs? All are important to consider.
For my online tutorial assignment I want to create a tutorial that explains how to use the bound, printed catalogs, from the reference section of the Indiana University Fine Arts Library, to access information regarding artists or art. Such libraries as the Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, and the Library of the Freer Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C, produced printed catalogs before the advent of the online catalog so their catalogs could be shared with other libraries. Each printed catalog collection features a complete copy of the library’s card catalog in the order it was arranged in the drawers. All printed catalogs are made up of many volumes and have a statement of use at the beginning of the first volume that explains how to use the resource. Like the card catalog though, many students currently studying fine arts or art history do not know how to use such a resource. But, in order to study fine arts and art history students are required to use these types of printed resources because of the lack of advancement in technology in the field.
I believe the best delivery method for a tutorial on how to use a printed catalog would be to use Adobe Captivate technology. This technology allows the tutorial to record multiple screens combined with audio and text explanations. I think this combination would work well because students want a quick reference they can go to any time/any where at their convenience that uses technology they are comfortable with. The tutorial can be posted on the library’s website for easy access. In most cases undergraduate students prefer to go online before approaching a librarian. Plus, students study at times of the day when librarians may not be available. In addition, this technology can showcase the simply technology of the printed catalog better than video or a website.
To create the tutorial, pages from the printed catalog will be scanned, such as the statement of use and particular pages showing different parts of the catalog collection, for example. These can be opened and screen shots can be made of them highlighting important sections. Plus, a script in audio and text to provide explanation. In addition, a map, or even a photograph, of where the printed catalogs are located in the reference collection, and the location of the reference collection in the library, will be placed at the beginning of the tutorial for further explanation for students not familiar with the arrangement of the Fine Arts Library. The entire tutorial should only incorporate a handful of screen shots and only be around a minute in length. Keeping the tutorial uncluttered and simple, and remembering to skip the librarian speak, is the best option.
