Placing Theory into Practice: An Exploration of Library Services to Distance Learners at Jacksonville State University

Abstract

Distance education or e-Learning, a non-traditional education model making use of information technology, has developed rapidly in the 21st century. Pedagogical tools such as online courses and videoconferencing initiatives have been widely used to deliver education to students at any time, and in any geographical location. The advantage of flexibility in scheduling provided by distance education courses allows universities and colleges to draw from a pool of students from all areas of society. Thus post secondary education is made available to individuals for whom distance as well as economics may have made impossible in the past. This article will explore the services that the Houston Cole Library (HCL) at Jacksonville State University (JSU) provides to distance education students and faculty in support of their learning, teaching, and research needs, as well as the challenges it faced in improving these services.