Blended Learning: Tools for Teaching and Training

This essential guide should be on the desk of any library and information professional, records manager, archivist or knowledge manager involved in planning and introducing an ERM system, whether in a public or private sector organization. Information professionals currently face the challenge of providing end-user education and staff training to very large and diverse groups, whilst integrating the use of ICT into their teaching. But there seems to be a tendency within the literature to focus solely on face-to-face learning or on e-learning, and this is a lost opportunity. This book offers a new blended learning approach, combining the two techniques to make best use of the advantages of each while minimizing the disadvantages. It provides information professionals with a practical guide to the design and delivery of such training programmes, illustrated with a range of library-based examples, checklists and case studies. Many organizations establish projects, sometimes using external funding, as a means of developing their education and training provision, and the book provides a practical overview of this subject in the context of blended learning. Key areas covered include: • technologies in the classroom • virtual communication tools • integrated learning environments • websites and web tools • models of teaching and learning • planning and designing learning activities • individual and group learning • coaching and mentoring • engaging with communities of interest and practice • managing learning and teaching projects. Readership: This unique book will be of great value to any information professionals involved in establishing and delivering end-user education and staff development, whatever their previous experience. It will also benefit staff developers in school, college and higher education, library and information students, independent consultants and trainers, and information suppliers such as database providers.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction Introduction Teaching and training in the 21st century The rise of blended learning Structure of the book 2. Tools and technologies- an overview Introduction Technologies in the classroom Virtual communication tools Social networking software Integrated learning environments Mobile technologies 3. Models of teaching and learning Introduction Context of learning Learning styles Approaches to learning Learner-centred pedagogies Specific approaches to teaching and learning 4. Planning and designing blended learning programmes Introduction Design and development cycle Developing a blended learning experience Technical issues Copyright and other intellectual property issues Evaluation 5. Planning and designing learning activities Introduction Design principles Individual learning activities 6. Using group learning activities Introduction Group learning activities Managing large groups Managing online groups Managing diverse groups 7. Working as a tutor Introduction Principles of tutoring Working with a group E-tutoring Working with a co-tutor Managing tricky situations 8. Coaching and mentoring Introduction Principles of coaching and mentoring Coaching and e-coaching in the workplace Mentoring and e-mentoring in the workplace Developing informal and incidental learning in the workplace 9. Communities of interest and practice Introduction What are communities of interest and practice? Communities in the ILS profession and beyond Engaging with communities of interest and practice Establishing and managing a new community 10. Managing learning and teaching projects Introduction Principals of project management Gaining approval and getting going Managing the project The project management process Gaining accreditation for your programme Documenting the project Working with the project team

About the Author :
Barbara Allan BSc MA MSc MEd PGCE MCLIP is a Senior Lecturer in student learning and management learning at the Hull University Business School. Her previous experience includes managing academic and workplace libraries, and freelance work in the design and delivery of training programmes. Barbara has written a number of books including Project Management and Supervising and Leading Teams in ILS (both for Facet Publishing).

Review :
"... an excellent resource that should help educational professionals to have an insight into the blended learning world. It generally helps the readers to develop educational ideas and start up designing blended learning programmes. It plays a role as a remarkable “start-up kit” and offers practical advice for those who wish to practise blended e-learning."