ERIC Number: EJ1467065
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0748-5786
EISSN: EISSN-2328-2967
Available Date: 2025-04-09
Learning by Doing: An Online, Open-Source Course Design Approach to Systems Librarianship
C. Sean Burns; Jennifer Pusateri; Daniela K. DiGiacomo
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, v66 n2 p157-173 2025
This paper presents a novel approach to designing an online, open-source course in systems librarianship, an area of librarianship that may be perceived as complex and intimidating because of the technologies involved. The course design focuses on making systems librarianship more approachable for library and information science students who may have little prior knowledge of the topic. It introduces a comprehensive framework that addresses both content and climate solutions to foster a positive learning experience and a community of practice. This includes incorporating Universal Design for Learning principles and new assessment processes that replace traditional grading mechanisms. The paper describes two pedagogical tactics: content solutions that emphasize the use of cloud services and open-source software to provide students with hands-on experiences and a common user interface; and climate solutions that aim to cultivate a sense of belonging among students and minimize technology anxiety. The paper also provides a detailed description of the course structure and assessment methods, including an innovative ungrading approach and a "revise and resubmit" policy. The paper concludes by presenting the course framework as a guide for developing similar courses, emphasizing its potential implications for systems librarianship and library and information science technology education. It discusses the limitations of the approach and suggests ideas for future research in the field. Overall, this paper offers a valuable resource for educators seeking to create engaging and inclusive systems librarianship courses in an online, open-source context.
Descriptors: Library Science, Online Courses, Open Education, Instructional Design, Information Technology, Library Automation, Information Systems, Occupational Information, Access to Education, Learning Experience, Information Science Education, Communities of Practice, Graduate Students, Sense of Belonging, Open Source Technology, Internet, Computer Software, Information Management, Delivery Systems, Information Storage, Computers, Users (Information), Experiential Learning, Evaluation Methods
Association for Library and Information Science Education. Available from: University of Toronto Press. 5201 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M3H 5T8 Canada. Tel: 416-667–7929; Fax: 416-667–7832; e-mail: journals@utpress.utoronto.ca; e-mail: office@alise.org; Web site: https://www.utpjournals.press/loi/jelis
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A