Techniques for
Integrating Library
Resources into WebCT
W.W. Hagerty Library
Drexel University
Andrew D. Wheeler
adw29@drexel.edu
April 19, 2004
1
Why include the library?
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Enhance student learning.
Improve quality of sources.
Reduce student reliance on free web.
Simplify course development.
Increase usage of library resources.
Improve students’ information literacy, research
skills, and life long learning skills – accreditation
implications.
Students interact with and learn from librarians.
2
Collaboration is the key!
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Faculty.
Librarians and library personnel.
Information Resources Technology
personnel.
3
Techniques
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Library link on WebCT template.
Discussion Topic with librarian
participation.
Link to items in electronic reserves.
Link to articles from electronic journals or
databases.
4
Library Link - What and Why
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Add a Library Link in the WebCT course
template so all courses connect to the library.
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Consistent link location on screen for students.
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Automatic for faculty.
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Easy to set up.
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NOT specific!
5
Library Link
Drexel University
Students
Faculty
W.W. Hagerty
Library
Databases &
External
Resources
WebCT
IRT
6
Library Link - Example
7
Library Link – Requirements
Institution WebCT administrators /
and technology personnel.
 Faculty agreement / acceptance.
 Library provides target URL.
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8
Discussion Topic - What and
Why
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Students post questions in a Discussion Topic Librarians respond to the questions.
Faculty member may interject ideas at any
time.
Questions and responses available to ALL
students for the duration of the class.
9
Discussion Topic
Drexel University
Students
Faculty
W.W. Hagerty
Library
Databases &
External
Resources
WebCT
IRT
10
Discussion Topic Example
Example:
“Design Project Research Questions & Ideas”
– A. McCann, HUM107, 2003-2004.
11
Discussion Topic Example
Student Question*
Librarian Reply
* Student's name
not shown.
Faculty Reply
Example:
“Design Project Research Questions & Ideas”
– A. McCann, HUM107, 2003-2004.
12
Discussion Topic Requirements
Faculty agreement / acceptance.
 Librarian or library personnel as Teaching
Assistant in WebCT.
 Daily involvement by librarian.
 Relies on the Discussion Topic and
Teaching Assistant features of WebCT.
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13
Link to e-Reserves - What and
Why
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Simple single-click access to the e-Reserves.
Faculty submits content to library e-Reserve
personnel.
Specific resource.
ON campus / full institutional control.
14
e-Reserves
Drexel University
Students
Faculty
W.W. Hagerty
Library
Databases &
External
Resources
WebCT
IRT
15
Link to e-Reserves Requirements
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Electronic version of resource (file or scan).
Faculty allow time for library e-Reserve
personnel to load item to electronic reserves.
Faculty must add link in WebCT course to the
particular item OR link to the e-Reserve area
of the course.
Copyright?
16
Link to article in Database What and Why
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Simple single-click access to the article.
Faculty can integrate high quality scholarly
information into the class.
Information stored OFF campus / NOT full
institutional control.
Database
e-Journal
17
Articles in Databases
Drexel University
Students
Faculty
W.W. Hagerty
Library
Databases &
External
Resources
WebCT
IRT
18
Link to article in Database Requirements
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No need to scan a document.
Need a Durable URL, also called a Persistent
URL
Faculty add link to the item in the particular
course.
Link may need to be tested each term to
ensure functionality.
Simultaneous logins?
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e-Reserves vs. Database
e-Reserves
e-Journal / Database
Data stored ON campus.
Data stored OFF campus.
No subscription required.
Subscription required.
Someone (usually faculty)
must supply or indicate
the print or electronic item.
Must choose from database
content, cannot provide
content.
Unlimited simultaneous
users. Copyright?
Possible limits on simultaneous
logins.
Narrow coverage - only
items in e-Reserve are
available.
Extensive coverage - entire
database is available
(depending on subscription).
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Summary
Library
Link
Discussion
Topic
Link to
e-Reserve
Link to Article
in Database
Faculty
Commitment
Minimal
Set-up and
occasional
monitoring.
Provide /
specify
content.
Choose
content from
database.
Library
Commitment
One time for
all courses.
Need help
from IRT.
Daily for
Librarian
e-Reserve
Personnel
during set-up.
Help find
Durable
(Persistent)
URL
Copyright?
Simultaneous
Logins?
Full Institutional
Control
Course-Specific
Resource
Note
21
Acknowledgements
Several Faculty, Library Staff, and IRT Staff are
instrumental in providing library resources to
students via WebCT.
The following people were
more directly involved with
this presentation…
22
Thanks…
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This presentation is a modification of earlier
presentations developed by Jenifer Baldwin and
Laura Moyer, formerly with the W.W. Hagerty
Library at Drexel University.
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Michael Scheuermann, Distance Learning and
Faculty Development Consultant in the Information
Resources and Technology Department at Drexel
University is a major asset for WebCT related
requests. He includes a discussion about library
resources in his WebCT boot camps.
23
… and more thanks!
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Prof. Andrew McCann and Dr. Valerie Arms,
Drexel University, provided faculty insights and
valuable ideas. Their innovation and friendly
enthusiasm drive the collaboration that is essential
for connecting students to resources through
technology and the classrooms.
Jay Bhatt, Information Services Librarian for
Engineering, W.W. Hagerty Library, Drexel
University provides resource expertise and an
unequaled commitment to students and service.
Championing this presentation - Tracy Hull, Head of
Information Services, with additional insight from
Tim Siftar, Information Services Librarian for IST
and Education, W.W. Hagerty Library, Drexel
University.
24
Contact Information:

Jay Bhatt
Information Services Librarian for Engineering
W.W. Hagerty Library
Drexel University
bhattjj@drexel.edu

Andrew Wheeler
Information Resources Technician for Engineering
W.W. Hagerty Library
Drexel University
adw29@drexel.edu
25
Contact Information:

Dr. Jean-Claude Bradley
Associate Professor
Chemistry
Drexel University
jean-claude.bradley@drexel.edu

Andrew McCann
Instructor
English and Philosophy
Drexel University
andrew.james.mccann@drexel.edu
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