Campus Online Research Articles

Student Use of the Information Commons: An Exploration through Mixed Methods

Abstract
 
 Objective – In this case study, librarians at the William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University explored user behaviour in the Information Commons, user preferences for furniture style and configuration, and how users engaged with a mix of technology, resources, and activities inside the space.
 
 Methods – The researchers used a mixed-methods case study consisting of 2,443 “direct observations,” 646 environmental scans, 248 patron surveys, and 46 whiteboard poll questions. They created visualizations of results in Tableau, with filters for zone and variable. They then carried out a follow-up furniture preferences survey with 190 respondents. 
 
 Results – Independent study dominated the space usage. Users valued spaciousness, quiet, privacy, and a clean environment. Users frequently multi-tasked with additional devices as they simultaneously used the library computers, including cell phones, headphones, and laptops. The majority of students self-reported using a library computer for email and to access the campus online learning platform. They also reported reading/studying and printing as frequent activities, although these were less frequently observed. Unattended belongings were observed along with broken electrical outlets. Temperature and noise levels were highly variable. 
 
 Conclusions – This methodology allowed for the exploration of space use and satisfaction and uncovered implications for the redesign of the library space. The library has already taken steps toward making improvements based on this assessment project including: removing some reference stacks in favor of additional seating space, an inventory of all electrical outlets, and the exploration of new furniture and noise control strategies.

THE USE OF BLENDED LEARNING MODELS IN THE PROCESS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

In the article, the acute problem of implementation of pedagogical innovations and online technologies into the educational process is analyzed. The article explores the advantages of blended learning as a latter-day educational program in comparison with traditional campus learning. Blended learning is regarded worldwide as the combination of classroom face-to-face sessions with interactive learning opportunities created online. The purpose of the article is to identify blended learning transformational potential impacting students and teachers by ensuring a more personalized learning experience. The concept of blended learning, as a means to enhance foreign language teaching and learning in the classroom during the traditional face-to-face interaction between a teacher and a student, combined with computer-mediated activities, is examined. In the article, the main classification of blended learning models is established. There are four main blended learning models which include both face-to-face instruction time and online learning: Rotation Model, Flex Model, A La Carte Model, and Enriched Virtual Model. Once implemented successfully, a blended model can take advantage of both brick-and-mortar and digital worlds, providing significant benefits for the educational establishments and learners. To integrate any of the blended learning models, a teacher can create online activities that enable learners to explore the topic online at home, and then develop face-to-face interactions to dig deeper into the subject matter at the lesson. The use of blended learning models in order to expand educational opportunities for students while the foreign language acquisition, by increasing the availability and flexibility of education, taking into account student individual learning needs, with some element of student control over time, place and pace, is explored. The realization of blended learning models in regards to age and physiological peculiarities of students is explained. The expected outcome of blended learning implementation is that the combination of traditional face-to-face campus activities and online technologies will motivate and encourage children to eagerly participate in the lesson and will assist in developing students’ creative, critical and logical thinking.

Proctoring to improve teaching practice

Universities organise digital summative assessments in special assessment computer rooms and they conduct strong restrictions on the resources. This policy assures safety and security of assessments but obstructs authentic problem solving where open resources are needed. A digital assessment room is also not a proper solution when students for some reason cannot attend the assessment on campus. We present three scenarios from the science and mathematics teaching practice at the University of Amsterdam in which we have used proctoring to create the flexibility of online exams that was needed. Online remote proctoring of computer screens on the campus and/or students at home enabled (1) more authentic exams by allowing open resources, (2) use of own laptops (BYOD) in a regular lecture room, (3) off campus online exams as a part of an online programme, for example, at home anywhere in the world. We have shown that proctoring is not just a different way to control students using computers, but that it enabled improvement of the quality of learning processes in which summative assessments are an integral part.

The Design of Campus Online Supermarket Management System

This paper presents a design campus online supermarket management system based on the B/S structure, using Microsoft's ASP.NET 4.0 dynamic website technology and SQL Server 2010 backend database for the application to achieve the basic function of campus online supermarket management system.

Design and Implementation of the .NET-Based Online Learning System

Using the internet to provide learning exchange services for students has become a need now. This paper introduces the frame structure and the main functions of each module of the campus online learning system with a three-layered B/S structure based on .NET and Microsoft SQL Server 2000, and lays stress on implementing the course management and courseware management of the system.

Learning Sports Management with e-Learning

Nowadays, hybridity is in demand from students in university degrees. They expect to be able to choose between on campus courses and online courses depending on their needs and wishes. Motivated by this, since academic year 2010-2011, the Universidad Europea de Madrid offers some of its traditional on campus undergraduate and graduate programs also in an on line format, under the concept of Universidad Personal. One of these programs, the MBA Masterâ??s Degree in Sports Management, was selected as the runner-up in the e-learning category of the 2012 International E-Learning Award (Academic Division), given by the International E-Learning Association. The purpose of this paper is to describe in more detail the objective and structure of this program, as well as the pedagogical and product model in which is based on, showing the different elements used for its design.

Psychiatric Medication-Seeking Beliefs and Behaviors among College Students

Background: Misuse of prescription psychiatric medications is increasing on college campuses. Sources of medications include friends or family, obtaining prescriptions fraudulently or from multiple physicians, and buying drugs online. Objective: This study assessed psychosocial correlates of medication-seeking behaviors in college students to identify characteristics of potential prescription drug misusers. Methods: The sample included 383 participants (59.2% female) recruited from various campus locations and online classes of a Division I university in the southeastern region of the United States, with an enrollment of approximately 50,000 students. Participants anonymously completed self-report questionnaires. Results: Misusers of prescription psychiatric medication were more likely to have health insurance and to know someone else who had misused that medication. They were more likely to endorse positive attitudes regarding medication-seeking. There was a significant correlation between positive medication-seeking beliefs and reported medication-seeking behaviors. The most common and most accepted form of medication-seeking was asking for the medication from a peer. Conclusions: Results suggest the need for further education regarding the dangers of psychiatric medication-seeking, particularly related to seeking medication from peers. Scientific Significance: This study is the first to assess psychosocial characteristics of college students who seek prescription psychiatric medications for misuse. The information obtained may be used for risk assessment and preventive efforts.

Design of Customized Corporate E-Learning

Today's educational institutions deal increasingly with external commercial organizations in connection with e-learning deliveries. Production and delivery of e-learning to corporations is different from both traditional campus education and online distance education for independent online students. This study discusses challenges related to e-learning production and delivery for corporate customers. Consequently we have identified appropriate guiding principles that should contribute to the specification of a model for design of customized corporate e-learning. We place particular emphasis on collaboration and stakeholder involvement, formative evaluation, utilization of technological opportunities, and relevant training for all parties involved. Moreover, we propose to benefit from concurrent design principles to achieve effective and efficient multidisciplinary collaboration in the design process. The study is based on primary data from two different projects where an educational institution offers e-learning for external corporate customers. In addition we collect secondary data from available research literature on e-learning and supplementary data from colleagues with long experience in this field.

Creation, Management, and Assessment of Library Screencasts: The Regis Libraries Animated Tutorials Project

ABSTRACT The Distance Learning Department of the Regis University Library is charged with providing library instruction for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accelerated courses offered at six distance campus locations and online. The department has created a series of animated online tutorials (i.e., screencasts) accessible via the library Web site. These interactive tutorials cover basic library services and resources and represent an effort to provide asynchronous bibliographic instruction to remote library users. This paper describes the use of screencasting software to create library tutorials and related issues including software options, production tips and techniques, and project management. In addition, the author describes the use of Google Analytics to record usage statistics and perform assessments.