The use of CAI for distance teaching in the formulation of search strategies - computer-assisted instruction

Library Trends, Summer, 2001 by Ina Fourie

ABSTRACT

COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION (CAI) HAS PROVED an effective method of teaching in Library and Information Science (LIS) practices such as online searching and enduser instruction. The growing interest in electronic information retrieval, and especially the Internet, as well as the emphasis on lifelong learning skills stress the need for training in the formulation of search strategies. Distance education is especially suitable for training working adult students, and should therefore also be explored with regard to the teaching of skills in the formulation of search strategies. Since 1992 the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa) has been experimenting with a CAI tutorial in the formulation of search strategies. The experience gained from designing this CAI tutorial and from revising it in 1998, feedback from students and a literature survey are used to report on the design of CAI tutorials in the formulation of search strategies.

1 INTRODUCTION

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is a well-known and accepted method of instruction for independent studies. Synonyms for CAI include computer-assisted learning (CAL), computer-based education (CBE), and computer-based training (CBT).

A number of applications of CAI have been reported in the Library and Information Science (LIS) literature, for example, by Armstrong (1984), Armstrong and Large (1987), Bourne (1990), Caruso (1981), Davis (1993), Foster (1987), Gratch (1986), Large and Armstrong (1983a, 1983b), Lessing and Bothma (1995), Madland and Smith (1988), Richardson (1994), Scholz, Kerr, and Brown (1996), Sievert and Boyce (1985), Van Brakel (1988), Vander Meer, Rike, and Galen (1996), and Wood (1985). As early as 1972 Culkin (1972) discussed the use of CAI by LIS. Williams and Davis (1979) also reported on the early use of CAI in library instruction.

A Dialog search could not, however, trace many explicit references to the use of CAI in the distance teaching of LIS. Web-based training and distance teaching are, however, dealt with by Hawkins (1998) and Herther (1997). The EDUCATE program (End-user Courses in Information Access through Communication Technology) also aims at self-paced learning and distance education (Thomasson & Fjallbrant, 1996). However, it appears that this program is concerned mainly with Web-based training.

A number of the CAI programs reported on deal with aspects of online searching, the formulation of search strategies, bibliographic instruction, using the library catalogue and information literacy (Armstrong, 1984, Azzaro & Cleary 1994, Binkley & Parrott 1987, Eisenberg et al. 1978, Neilsen & Bremmer 1985, Williams & Davis 1979). There are, however, other CAI applications, such as those for cataloguing and bibliometrics (Hopkins & Blackburn 1996). Library orientation is covered by Nipp and Straub (1986), training of library staff members by Bayne (1993) and user education by Vander Meer, Rike and Galen (1996). Lawson (1990) did a cost comparison between library tours and CAI programs. She found that the majority of students using CAI learned as much, or more than, those students using more traditional methods of instruction.

The Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa) has been using CAI since 1992 to teach the formulation of search strategies as part of a course in information organization and retrieval. Unisa is a distance teaching university which to a large extent has been based on the correspondence model (ie core and often even all tutorial matter is provided in printed format). For the last ten years, there has, however, been encouragement from the university management to explore other methods of teaching such as CAI and more recently the World Wide Web (WWW) and other Internet facilities.

In 1998, a new CAI tutorial on the formulation of search strategies was completed. This tutorial was designed in collaboration with The Unisa Department of Library Services. Unlike the 1992 edition, which was DOS based, the new tutorial can run under Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

The development of the 1998 tutorial was based on:

* experience with the 1992 tutorial in terms of student feedback and observation of their reactions and behavior when working through the tutorial in a class situation (students were asked to complete an evaluation form (see appendix A) when working through the tutorial in their own time and also when working through it during an annual workshop).

* an analysis of developments in online searching, particularly new trends in the formulation of search strategies (a number of database systems, for example, have online thesauri or word lists which make it easier to select suitable search terms).

* a study of the requirements for designing a multimedia study package for the distance teaching of information retrieval (Fourie 1994, Fourie & Snyman 1996).

* a literature survey on the use of CAI by LIS.

* a reconsideration of developments in CAI in general as well as in accepted practices (eg as reported in the papers presented at the Fourth CBE/CBT conference and workshop: information technology effective education/training, held 7-10 October 1996).