LibGuides and the VLC

Brazzeal, Bradley. “Research Guides as library instruction tools.” Reference Services Review 34.3 (2006): 358-367. [Electronic Journals]

Judd, Cindy and Nicole Montgomery. “LibGuides and Librarians: Connecting Content and Community.” Kentucky Libraries 73.3 (2009): 14-17. [Electronic Journals]

Little, Jennifer J. “Cognitive Load Theory and Library Research Guides.” Internet Reference Services Quarterly 15.1 (2010): 53-63.

This reading was technically for my 210 course, but it really changed some of my thoughts regarding the design of the VLC.  First of all, there was an emphasis on orientation--that is, making it easy for site users to figure out HOW to use the site.  The Brazzeal article in particular made me think about how I'd orient users to the VLC, and combined with my new screencasting skills, my method would be to post a short screencast showing users how to use the site.  This reading also convinced me that having a picture of the Teacher Librarian with contact information in a prominent location is a small but important piece of creating a welcoming and helpful virtual environment.

The Little article on cognitive load theory also made me question the direction of the VLC I'd been working on with a TL.  The extensive lists of resources, while interesting, would be overwhelming to site visitors.  Instead, I'd focus on one (two at the most) type of tool for each task (brainstorming, screencasting, presenting, etc.) and give more detail about how to use that tool.  These could be rotated (with a more extensive list on a sub-page, if desired) or could remain consistent based on staff and student feedback and discoveries in the Experimental Learning Center.  Instead of thinking of the VLC as a giant list of resources, I started to view it as a tool to connect students and teachers with the right resources and as a way to teach them to use those resources.