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Session 1358

A Virtual Library for Classroom Research and Pedagogy Gary B. Randolph, Dennis O. Owen Purdue University School of Technology Anderson, Indiana

ABSTRACT

At the Anderson campus of Purdue University’s School of Technology, an Internet-based virtual library was recently established as a means of enhancing the technology research capabilities of students. The virtual library is a collection of links to industry periodicals, news sources, selected technology company web pages, search engines, and more.

The virtual library does much more than merely save students a walk to a traditional library. It provides the capability of searching for information beyond that found in a traditional library. This includes up-to-the-minute information, which is often very useful in a technology-oriented course, as well as case studies, white papers, and other material. The virtual library also has a huge cost and time of development advantage over traditional libraries, bringing powerful research content to any campus with Internet access.

INTRODUCTION

Changes in technology along with reduced funding for higher educational are forcing educators to re-examine how they teach.3 Sometimes this means doing without. But at other times, new technology opens new horizons for learning. A new model of education is being driven by the changing needs of society and at the same time being enabled by information technology. That new model uses individual exploration rather than classroom lectures, embraces apprenticeship rather than passive absorption of information and encounters fast-changing content rather than stable content. 3

Responding to a need to bring information resources to students at a low cost, the Anderson, Indiana campus of Purdue University School of Technology created a virtual library consisting solely of Internet research resources. The results in the classroom have been encouraging.

The Anderson campus of Purdue University School of Technology consists of approximately 200 students pursing degrees in computer technology, electrical engineering technology, technical graphics, and organizational leadership and supervision. Nearly all students have full- time jobs and pursue their degrees at night as part-time students.

A traditional library resides on the campus of our host school, Anderson University. The library is only two blocks away from our doors. But when students are driving in for a single class after a full day of work, they don’t often get to the university library and, when they do, have a hard time finding information relevant to their engineering technology coursework. Yet good library resources were needed for term papers and other research assignments.

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Randolph, G. B., & Owen, D. O. (1998, June), A Virtual Library For Classroom Research And Pedagogy Paper presented at 1998 Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/1-2--7521