Teacher Sociality and Information Diffusion in Educational Digital Libraries
Ogheneovo Dibie; Keith Maull; Tamara Sumner
ABSTRACT
Understanding the social aspects of digital resource utilization is an area of active research. In this study, we examine the digital library resource utilization and social behaviors of middle and high school Earth science teachers of a large United States urban school district. We present the results of three experiments based on teachers using an online curriculum planning tool called the Curriculum Customization Service (CCS), and examine the social networks that emerge among the participating teachers. We explore these networks in the context of the digital library resources that were part of the CCS and the use of socio-centric features around those resources. Our initial ndings show promise toward developing a broader understanding of the social networks of teachers, their behaviors around and usage of digital library resources, as well as the diusion of information through those networks.
Is it Time to Change the OER Repositories Role?
Christo Dichev; Darina Dicheva
ABSTRACT
The growing number of digital libraries providing open educational resources (OER) requires effective resource discovery mechanisms to optimally exploit the benefits of their openness. This paper presents a study aimed at understanding how educators find OER by seeking answers to questions such as: what proportion of users seeking OER go directly to OER repositories and what proportion uses search engines or some other means and why. Understanding how users discover and access resources and with what tools can have an impact on the OER repositories strategic development.
Deduced Social Networks for Educational Digital Library
Monika Akbar; Clifford Shaffer; Edward Fox
ABSTRACT
Analyzing previous user behavior can provide users with more information on how best to nd information with a digital library. The AlgoViz Portal collects metadata on Algorithm Visualizations and associated research literature. We show how logs can be used to discover latent relationships between users, deducing an implicit social network. By clustering the log data, we nd dierent page-viewing patterns providing practical information about the different groups of users.
Tale of Two Studies: Is Dissemination Working?
Flora McMartin; Joe Tront; Wesley Shumar, Sarah Holsted
ABSTRACT
Flora McMartin; Joe Tront; Wesley Shumar
In this paper we describe preliminary results from two ongoing research projects that investigate the dissemination practices surrounding digital STEM learning materials for undergraduates. This research consists of two related studies, 1) survey research about the dissemination practices of NSF-funded PIs; and, 2) a case study on the dissemination practices of courseware developers who won the Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education. The vast majority of PIs reported in the survey that they do not take advantage of digital dissemination methods such as education digital libraries. Premier Awardwinning innovators reported using multiple dissemination methods – traditional and digital. Recommendations are provided regarding how digital library developers might work with PIs to improve dissemination.