Capacity building is indispensable among the professionals to meet the varied interest of the users.

1. CAPACITY BUILDING IN FUTURE
LIBRARIANSHIP IN E-LEARNING:
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Dr. R N Mishra
Associate Professor
Dept. of Lib. & Inf. Science
Mizoram University
(A Central University)
Aizawl, Mizoram
E-mail: mishramzu@gmail.com

2. Introduction
• E-learning represents analogous to web-based learning,
virtual learning, internet based learning, computer
based learning, digital learning, on-line learning etc.
• Assorted with the Advanced Learning Technology
(ALT) dealing with both the technologies and
associated methodologies in learning using networked
and multimedia technologies
• Extended domain in ICT platform
• Reaches the learners from source (Library) without
intervention en-route

3.  Scope of learning as reported by the On-line
Consortium previously known as Sloan Consortium
reached to 1.9 million in 2003 in US.
 Enrolment percentage of on-line learners
according to National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) increased 11% between 1991 and
2001, 32% between 2001 and 2011 which comes
from 15.9 million to 21.0 million where, the number
of full-time students ascended to 38 % while, 23% as
part-time students within the age group of 18 to 24

4. • According to Babson Survey Research Group 7.1 million of
higher education students are taking at least one online course.
• Thus, there is 6.1% growth rate which represents over 400,000
additional students who undertake at least one online course.
• While making an assessment it could be visualized that, there is a
stupendous growth of on-line learners from 57% in 2003 to 74%
in 2013
• According to e-learning industry.com India tops by 55% followed
by China52%, Malaysia 41%, Romania 38%, Poland 28%, Czech
Republic 27%, Brazil 26%, Indonesia 25%, Colombia 20% and
Ukaraine 20%

5. Associated Technologies in E-learning
 Screen casts  E-portfolios
EPSS (Electronic Performance Support
System)
 Web-based Teaching Materials
 Multimedia CD-ROMs  Hypermedia
 Discussion Boards  Website, Web 2.0
 Collaborative Software  E-Mail
 Blogs  Wikis
 Text Charts  Computer Aided Assessment
 Animition  Simulations and Games

6. Types of e-learning
Synchronous  Concerned with the direct participation or interaction
with the faculty over a class room which operates in virtual
mode.
 It is like real time on-line classroom where, the e-learners
and the faculty interact directly.
 Instant messaging, chat, audio, video conferencing are
some of the examples of such synchronous learning.
Asynchronous  It is based on web-based
Faculties interact with the e-learners through message
boards, bulletin boards and discussion forums
Blended Learning  Both synchronous and asynchronous learning operates

7. Properties of e-learning
 Student-student interaction
 Student-teacher interaction;
 Student-resource interaction and
 Student-computer interaction.

8. Prototype of E-Learning Resources

Table of contents created or converted into machine readable form for online
access;

Scanned images, images of photographic or printed texts etc;

Online, and CD-ROM Databases

Computer storage devices such as optical discs, juke boxes, CDROM/DVD-ROM;

Databases accessible through INTERNET and other networks

Meta Documents

Digital Audio, Video

Institutional Repositories

Training, Software

9. E-resources- The Advantages
• Accessibility
• Convenient search
• Speed
• Interactive
• Links
• Added Value
• Cost-Effective
• Flexibility

10. Digital Literacy
• Creates a platform for co-operative learning in a
group
• Required for capturing information in electronic form
• It is shareable, exchangeable.
• It facilitates the learners to interact with the
organization
• Visual literacy, Co-operative literacy and Academic
literacy are the basic elements of digital library
contd..

11. • It combines with a number of metaphors
• Metaphor is concerned with in creating an online
learning environment.
• Visual metaphors add substantial value in Graphical
User Interface in digital environment
• It endows with the learners a podium to put forth
innovative concepts along with the grasped ideas into
a new cognitive synthesis.
• Amalgamated knowledge in digital form enhances the
quality of visual metaphors for the distance learners

12. Academic Literacy
• Required for the learners for innovative thinking and deriving
knowledge
• It is an amalgamated and transferable skills developed through
academic study and research
• The Intersegment Committee of the Academic Senates of the California
Community Colleges, the California State University, and the
University of California in 2002 viewed academic literacy where the
learners come across with lively discussions with others in an informal
manner suitable to the college thinking, reading, writing, and speaking
which are inter-related.
• Awareness of various logical, emotional, and personal appeals leads the
learners to cultivate new academic skills for academic perspectives

13. Learners Support in e-learning
 Basic skills to access and use of networks;
 Computer skills;
 Use of software packages for data analysis;
 Presentation techniques and use of communication tools
including e-mail, electronic bulletin board, video conferencing
and use of learning support software such as, virtual learning
environment
 Up-loading of assignments, use of computer aided
assessment and awareness of plagiarism, copyright and
appropriate referencing skills etc.

14. Librarian’s Initiative
• Responsible for maintaining database, disseminating resource,
providing guidance for searching e-resources and developing
repositories and archiving the reading materials
• Planners develops the technology suitable to the environment,
the educators make aware of the technology to the learners and
the librarians implements the same for managing of e-
resources, content management, marketing of the products,
multimedia products etc.
• Takes dynamic action in selection, evaluation, scaling,
describing, annotating and provide intelligent access to
electronic information in a digital environment.

15. Challenging Features of Future Librarianship
Future librarianship needs developing the following features for
users in general and e-learners in particular strictly according to the
copyright principles.

16. Resolving the Issues
• Unceasing update in the field of technological advancements;
• Life-long learner, Alertness in the field of library services;
• Innovative thinking;
• Expertise in using emerging technologies in website designing
• Providing web-based applications services to the e-leaners;
• Leadership in developing professional committed and dedicated
team in the library to meet the challenges and providing
qualitative resources to the e-learners;
• Conduct of information literacy programs both in-house, on-line
and off-line to the e-learners;
• Imparting continuing education and training programs to the
library staffs;

17. • Liaison with the publishers, consortia providers;
• Sound collection development policy putting emphasis
on e-resources;
• Emphasis on development of user-centric resources;
• Convincing the administrator and other authorities of
the organization in policy change;
• Modernizing the library with the latest infrastructures,
• Developing willpower and change in the mind setup to
accept the challenges.
• Strictly adhering to copyright principles.

18. Conclusion
• Adoption of emerging technologies in library services are based
on the ability of the librarians to provide the up-to-the-minute and
qualitative services including assisting the educators, researchers
and the learners for various academic purposes.
• Skill and capacity building among the librarians have become
pertinent to ensure that the learners, educators are provided with
qualitative services to equip with e-learning materials and
strengthen the research.
• Strategic planning also requires to be initiated by the librarians in
the next librarianship so as to develop the e-resources in
anticipation under the purview of intellectual property rights and
copyrights which however, requires committed involvements.