Another
Modest Proposal:
Build Selective Master Clusters
If You Can’t Have A Personal Internet-Savvy Librarian
Steven
W. Gilbert, The TLT Group
PROBLEM:
Too Many Choices.
SCARCE SOLUTION: Personal
Reference Librarian
UNREALISTIC(?) SOLUTION:
Comprehensive Collection
MODEST
PROPOSAL (Itemized Version): Master
Clusters
The continuing proliferation of
attractive instructional options and resources accessible on
the Web presents both new possibilities and new challenges.
Consequently, I propose that we:
1. Recognize
the Increasing Value of Thoughtful Selectivity
Judgment, selectivity, perspective, and
wisdom in finding and developing Web-based resources AND IN
HELPING PEOPLE TO USE THEM are becoming ever more important
– essential -- for improving teaching and learning.
2. Develop
More Web-Accessible “Master Collections” of Instructional
Resources
Modest-sized, highly selective
Web-accessible collections of instruction-related resources -
Master Collections – can enable more widespread,
cost-effective use of new instructional resources.
3. Develop
Tools for Sharing Master Collections & Their Contents
We need to look at models from the Open
Source software development community and commercial systems
such as XanEdu to find or develop tools to facilitate
developing and sharing Master Collections and their contents.
4. Honor Faculty and Academic Support
Professionals Who Help
Most faculty need help navigating this
rich new world of instructional resources.
But many faculty members and other professionals in
higher education already have some of the expertise and
insights most essential for achieving better learning and
teaching in the new educational environment.
They are the people who can develop Master Collections
and help others to use them.
We need new ways to honor these people and take
advantage of their gifts.
5. Integrate
“Lifelong Learning”
Lifelong Learning is not just for
“them.” It is
for all of us who hope to keep improving teaching and
learning. We will continue to need to learn how to find, select,
modify, and use some of the new resources and tools – and
how to use some of the valuable old resources and tools in new
ways. We need to
build more time for learning into our lives.
SOME
USEFUL LINKS: Right
Now!
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