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Provid<strong>in</strong>g Real Time Instruction on the WWW: Lessons Taught and<br />

Learned<br />

Introduction<br />

Robert Sapp<br />

John Hopk<strong>in</strong>s Univ. of Medic<strong>in</strong>e, USA<br />

From June 24 to June 27, 1996, the William H. Welch Medical Library of the Johns Hopk<strong>in</strong>s University School<br />

of Medic<strong>in</strong>e implemented the course, "Current Topics <strong>in</strong> Health Sciences Librarianship." Supported by grant<br />

number 1 T15 LM07094-01 from the National Library of Medic<strong>in</strong>e, the project <strong>in</strong>troduced important new<br />

methods for web-based distance learn<strong>in</strong>g. This paper will exam<strong>in</strong>e the WWW functions used to support and<br />

deliver the real time <strong>in</strong>structional events used <strong>in</strong> this program. Discussion will cover the technologies used to<br />

provide the synchronous delivery of audio and HTML support<strong>in</strong>g content and the web- based applications used<br />

for <strong>in</strong>structional feedback and evaluation. Specific applications <strong>in</strong>clude Progressive Networks' RealAudio<br />

Encoder, Server, and Player; custom written scripts which synchronize and push HTML content; web-based<br />

forms for feedback and session evaluation; Hypernews; and additional web-based technology.<br />

The Grant<br />

Health sciences librarians (HSL) improve health by enhanc<strong>in</strong>g the availability and use of biomedical<br />

<strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion. The long-term objective of this project is to make HSL more effective <strong>in</strong> their role by us<strong>in</strong>g<br />

emerg<strong>in</strong>g technologies to create a lifelong learn<strong>in</strong>g program. This program will enable HSL to update and<br />

extend their professional education and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g regardless of their physical location.<br />

The specific aims of this project are to plan, implement, and evaluate a one-year pilot cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>g education<br />

(CE) program for HSL, "Current Topics <strong>in</strong> Health Sciences Librarianship." This program will offer <strong>in</strong>struction<br />

<strong>in</strong> a general-<strong>in</strong>terest track, <strong>in</strong>struction <strong>in</strong> a specialized track, and a conference on related topics <strong>in</strong> parallel with<br />

these two tracks. The program will consist of four complementary and <strong>in</strong>terconnected <strong>in</strong>itiatives: (1) An Onsite<br />

Course, (2) A Telecourse, (3) An Onl<strong>in</strong>e Course, and (4) Electronic Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs. This session exam<strong>in</strong>es<br />

the web-based technology used to implement the onl<strong>in</strong>e portion of the course.<br />

Elements of Instruction<br />

Onl<strong>in</strong>e Course Home Page<br />

The Course Home Page provides general <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion about the program as well as l<strong>in</strong>ks to program (list and<br />

tabular <strong>format</strong>), <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion for participants, and the project team. L<strong>in</strong>ks to additional <strong>in</strong><strong>format</strong>ion <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />

participants, posters, faculty, student lounge, course library, and help are also available.<br />

Presentations<br />

The majority of the primary <strong>in</strong>struction is provided through presentations. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the live delivery of the<br />

course, students connected to the presentations through a passworded l<strong>in</strong>k. Once connected, they received the<br />

synchronized audio and HTML slides <strong>in</strong> real time. At the end of each presentation, each student had an<br />

opportunity to enter questions for the presenters on a web-based form. F<strong>in</strong>ally, a session evaluation form us<strong>in</strong>g<br />

radio buttons and textual fields was provided.<br />

Student Lounge<br />

The student lounge used HyperNews to facilitate a series of <strong>in</strong>formal discussions based on the course content.<br />

Students were encouraged to <strong>in</strong>teract with faculty and other students.<br />

Posters

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