Outline of who distance/extended education students are and how to connect them to library resources.

1. Meeting the Information Needs
of Extended Education Students
Presented at Western Washington
University
J. Gabriel Gossett
September 3, 2009

2. Presentation format
Three parts
Who extended education students are
Challenges in delivering instruction and support
How to meet the challenges

3. Who extended education students are
Working professionals
Cannot take time off for school
Older students
Unemployed seeking to gain marketable skills
People who do not primarily identity as students
Students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds
Students unable to be on campus for a variety of reasons
Students living in rural areas
Disabled
Military
Prisoners
Traditional students seeking course flexibility

4. The extended education student mindset
Goal-oriented learners , those who use learning to achieve
specific objectives, such as gaining certification for a
specific job, learning better business practices, or following
an interest.
Activity-oriented learners, those who participate primarily for
the sake of the activity itself or to join a group.
Learning-oriented learners, those who pursue learning for
its own sake, the lifelong learners.

5. Characteristics of older students
Want courses with relevancy
Readiness to learn is associated with developmental tasks
and social roles
Appreciate collaborative learning environments: involvement
in planning and diagnosis of needs
Need to be shown respect based on their place in life
They bring a diversity of experiences
Self concept tends to move from a dependent personality to
one that is more self-directed

6. Challenges
Physics!
Space (distance): Content delivery, feelings of isolation
Time: limited support services, outside demands
Discomfort with technology
Translating classes to online environments
Different mediums require different methods
Faculty motivation
Student anxieties
Capability
Fitting in
Unusual academic history
Variety of backgrounds and expectations

7. Meeting the challenges
Networking and advocacy
Establish relationships
Students
Administration
Faculty
Other librarians
Be a voice for student needs to administration
Ensure that funding and time are sufficient for needs
Make sure that objectives are achievable

8. Meeting the challenges
Market and streamline services
Indicate to students that you are committed to their
academic success
Make sure that online resources provide equitable access
through clean Web sites and usable tools
Work at embedding resources into courses
Tailor library instruction to specific assignments

9. Meeting the challenges
Evaluate user needs
Dialog with students and instructors
Assess library instruction through surveys
Focus groups: involve students and faculty in the
assessment process since they are major stakeholders in
their education and how it should be delivered
Find or gather information on use
How often are print and electronic reserves used?
Who is using the resources and who is not?
What are impediments to use of library resources?
Are desired outcomes being achieved?

10. Meeting the challenges
Be accommodating
The librarian and library must be as accessible as possible
It is important to plan ahead for contingencies
Spend the time to listen and engage students and faculty
It should not all be digital
Students have a variety of learning styles
Make sure policies are up to date
Sense of humor

11. Meeting the challenges
Look for future opportunities
Stay current on technology that might better serve students
and faculty
Learn about successes at other institutions
Work with other institutions to achieve goals
Public libraries
Community colleges

12. Questions? Comments?

13. Sources Consulted
Allen, Isabel Elaine, and Jeff Seaman. Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States,
2008. Needham, MA: Sloan Consortium, 2008.
Mahoney, Patrick. Distance Learning Library Services: The Tenth Off-Campus Library Services
Conference. Binghampton, N.Y.: Haworth Information Press, 2002.
Moore, Michael G. and William G. Anderson. Handbook of Distance Education. Mahwah, N.J.: L.
Erlbaum Associates, 2003.
Murphy, Dennis R. Memo: Preparation of a White Paper on Extended Education and Summer
Programs (EESP). Memo to Dr. Terrell Williams. 28 July 2009.
Neidorf, Robin. Teach Beyond Your Reach: An Instructor's Guide to Developing and Running
Successful Distance Learning Classes, Workshops, Training Sessions, and More. Medford, N.J.:
CyberAge Books, 2006.
Qureshi, E. "An Interesting Profile-University Students who Take Distance Education Courses Show
Weaker Motivation Than On-Campus Students." Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration
5.4 (2002)
Sankey, Michael and Rod St. Hill. "Ethical Considerations in Providing Distance Education in the Light
of Massification." Lifelong Learning: Reflecting on Successes and Framing Futures : Keynote and
Refereed Papers from the the 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference, Yeppoon, Central
Queensland, Australia, 16-19 June 2008. Ed. Debbie Orr. Rockhampton, Qld: Central Queensland
University, 2008.
"Standards for Distance Learning Library Services." Association of College and Research
Libraries. 31 August 2009 <http://www.ala.
org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/guidelinesdistancelearning.cfm>