Social software is increasingly viewed as the new “killer application” in higher education – a potential answer to needs ranging from active learning and student engagement, to…
Abstract
Purpose
Social software is increasingly viewed as the new “killer application” in higher education – a potential answer to needs ranging from active learning and student engagement, to faculty empowerment. The purpose of this study is to explore this potential in the context of participating net generation students in a science and technology oriented, laptop‐based university located in Southern Ontario. The study is interested in the efficacy and pedagogical impact of social software (SSW) technologies in the students' learning experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model used an exploratory, descriptive, quantitative case study. The focus of the study was on the impacts of SSW on students' information literacy skills. A quasi‐experimental model was used to compare the effects of SSW use in information literacy instruction with those of traditional educational technologies such as learning management systems (LMS).
Findings
A total of 80 students participated. Twenty‐four students in the treatment group used SSW during the instruction phase, while in the control group, 56 used the LMS. The pre‐test showed a relatively moderate use of SSW technologies among the participants, with the exception of social networking technologies. At the completion of the study, students showed moderate willingness to employ SSW to enhance their learning. Barriers to the adoption of these technologies were highlighted. The study findings could not demonstrate that the use of SSW, compared with more established technologies such as the LMS would lead to different information literacy scores.
Originality/value
This is a summary of my original PhD research completed in 2009. A shorter poster version was presented at the 2011 IATUL Conference in June 2011 at Warsaw, Poland.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to describe how, with minimal budget, lots of goodwill, and successful collaboration, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) – at…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe how, with minimal budget, lots of goodwill, and successful collaboration, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) – at the time Ontario's newest university, could rapidly build an ETD collection.
Design/methodology/approach
The project was sponsored by the UOIT library. DSpace was selected as the software platform. The paper describes the collaboration between the library, the faculty of graduate studies and the campus information technology department which resulted in the successful launch of the ETD program, Ontario's first example of establishing a born digital theses program and publishing platform.
Findings
Innovative and risk-taking approaches combined with intra- and inter-organizational collaboration were the key factors contributing to success of the library ETD project.
Originality/value
This case study emphasizes the value of entrepreneurial thinking. Other organizations can learn from the pitfalls and benefits encountered during the implementation of this project.