ERIC Number: EJ852029
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1436-4522
EISSN: N/A
Discovery and Use of Online Learning Resources: Case Study Findings
Recker, Mimi M.; Dorward, James; Nelson, Laurie Miller
Educational Technology & Society, v7 n2 p93-104 2004
Much recent research and funding have focused on building Internet-based repositories that contain collections of high-quality learning resources, often called "learning objects." Yet little is known about how non-specialist users, in particular teachers, find, access, and use digital learning resources. To address this gap, this article describes a case study of mathematics and science teachers' practices and desires surrounding the discovery, selection, and use of digital library resources for instructional purposes. Findings suggest that the teacher participants used a broad range of search strategies in order to find resources that they deemed were age-appropriate, current, and accurate. They intended to include these resources with little modifications into planned instructional activities. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for improving the design of educational digital library systems, including tools supporting resource reuse. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Science Teachers, Case Studies, Educational Resources, Mathematics Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Instructional Materials, Use Studies, Teacher Motivation, Barriers, Middle School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Educational Technology, Computer Uses in Education, Internet, Electronic Libraries, Computer Software Evaluation, Programming, Search Strategies
International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Athabasca University, School of Computing & Information Systems, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Tel: 780-675-6812; Fax: 780-675-6973; Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Utah
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A