As vodcasting grows in popularity, libraries of every type are incorporating this technology into their repertoire of services. One great way in which libraries are incorporating vodcasting is by providing tutorials/training on how users can better access library collections. Users may have questions on anything from how to plan a search for a research paper to how to find a specific journal or newspaper article. Now, instead of either having to ask the librarian at the front desk or navigating blindly wasting precious time, users can access a vodcast which can provide them the answers they need in relative minimal time. One example of such tutorial vodcasts can be found at the University of Aberdeen Library & Historic Collections website. This site offers vodcasts on a variety of topics from accessing resources from off-campus, to navigating the library catalogue, to finding information on a research topic. Check this page out and tell me what you think of it. Scroll down the page and click on the m4v or .htm link to view the vodcast of your choice.
Though this is an example of an academic library’s use of vodcasts, do you think a similar application would be useful in the K-12 environment? If so, would you use vodcasting in the same way/for the same purpose or would you apply the technology differently? How so?
Also, can you envision such vodcasting tutorials replacing the face-to-face reference interview? If so, would you see this as a positive or negative change? Please explain your answer.
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6 comments:
The U of Aberdeen vodcasts were very informative.
As far as the use of K-12 instructional vodcasts - sounds great. There might be less use for them at an elementary level though, because a TL usually has in person access when they could teach an interactive in person lesson. That being said, a vodcast could always be used later for review or for those who miss a lesson.
I think it would be cool if ALA (or some other org) could create a bunch of great general library vodcasts we all could link to. Of course this wouldn't work for searching for something specific to your library like an OPAC tutorial because there are so many different OPAC vendors.
I'm not understanding how a vodcast could replace an in person reference interview. I suppose you could link to a flashing vodcast of common reference questions...
Regarding the reference interview, I guess I'm picturing someone going to an online vodcast about how to develop a search strategy or how to navigate the catalogue rather than asking the reference librarian for their help.
Great idea about ALA vodcasts for general instruction/information. I'm sure something like this would have wide appeal.
Oh, duh Mariah. I get it now. I think vodcasting will be one of many electronic/digital means of accessing library reference. Alone vodcasting could not replace the reference interview because not every question can be answered by a general vodcast topic. Those specific questions might be answered most often in a chat reference interaction though!
Good point, Mariah. Even if vodcast tutorials are available, a chat reference interaction would still provide more specificity in answering a patron's question. This is more like the face-to-face option than the vodcast option.
First of all, I love the woman's accent who was narrating the vodcast I watched (the one on finding a book)!
Now, The U of Aberdeen's podcasts -- I thought they were great. Philosophically, this makes me think of the webinar discussion we've been having this week in class. Yes, vodcasts are good, but I wouldn't want them to completely replace face to face reference interviews. Just as with the seminar/webinar discussion, there are times when a vodcast is going to be more appropriate (distance students, after hours help, long line at the reference desk, etc.) and other times when getting face to face help is more appropriate. My own feeling is that face to face is always the preferred mode... but if face to face is unavailable/unrealistic, it is good to have a backup (in this case, vodcasts).
Regarding the use of vodcast technology in the K-12 library - I think it could be used in a similar way in the high school library. Also, vodcasts could be used to share student book reviews. Elementary librarians could make vodcasts of themselves reading favorite children's books (or better yet, they could get teachers to each come in and record a vodcast of themselves reading a favorite children's book).
Natalie,
Thanks for your post. I love the Scottish accent as well and the woman had such a calming appeal to her voice.
I can see the similarities you mention between this discussion and the discussion about webinars vs face-to-face interaction. It would be quite convenient to provide such standardized training, but at the same time you would lose a lot of specificity and of course the personal touch.
I like your idea of using the vodcasts to share student book reviews or record booktalks. These types of things would be a great resource to add to any school library webpage.
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