USING A VARIETY OF DISTANCE TEACHING METHODS TO TEACH ONLINE SEARCH SKILLS TO WORKING ADULTS

摘要

Due to its unique characteristics distance teaching can offer invaluable opportunities for working adults to be trained in traditional as well as new forms of online searching. Such training can be offered by Library and Information Science (LIS) schools, private training companies, database or information services, or LIS organisations. Instructional design, the principles of adult learning (andragogics) and constructivistic learning theories should be the point of departure. Distance teaching methods of delivery include print, computer-assisted instruction, audio, video, television, computer-conferencing, e-mail, web-based instruction, or a combination of these. Experience in the distance teaching of online searching at the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa (Unisa) is used to consider the following aspects of distance teaching in online search skills: computer illiteracy, selection of methods, assessment, support and learning content. The new skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to survive in the complex and dynamic online search environment are also addressed.