Information Science Literacy and Learning Styles

Campus-to-Campus Collaboration (CTCC) Collaboration

Before you proceed with online collaborations it is a good idea to have a good picture of what will be required of you as a collaborator. We all react differently in different social and physical environments, and this is also true for the online environments of the cyber world. Creating and maintaining online community is an important factor in achieving an effective online collaboration. To participate in an online community you must know, or partner with someone who knows how to use the necessary information technology. The first part of the following survey will provide you with sufficient information to determine what you need technically to continue with this program on your own, or if you might need assistance from a secretary, friend or family member who has the necessary skills.

How we learn provides insight into what our preferred online collaboration styles will be. However, your learning style does not determine if you can or cannot collaborate effectively because in some way we all have to collaborate with each other, but rather it reveals our preferred ways of dealing with the world around us in terms of accessing and internalizing new information. The second part of the following survey will focus on determining your preferred manner of internalizing new information and how this might relate to your participation in a collaborating online community. Please complete both parts of this survey. To put this survey together we have adopted information and some question formats from a variety of sources. Please see the to view these sources.

Information Science Questions

  1. Your first name:
  2. Your last name:
  3. Your email address:
  4. U.T. Institution (UTK, UTHSC, etc.):
  5. My computer keyboarding skills are good fair poor . To be effective, anywhere anytime keyboarding skills are a real asset, but not necessarily a requisite for online collaboration. However, for synchronous activities such as chat, lacking keyboarding skills is a major handicap.
  6. Do you have a computer in your office? Yes No
  7. Do you still use a secretary for the majority of your digital textual input?Yes No
  8. Do you use a computer at home? Yes No
  9. Do you have Internet access from home? Yes No.
  10. Do you install your own computer software? Yes No
  11. Do you install your own computer hardware? Yes No
  12. Do you know how to configure your E-mail program? Yes No
  13. Do you know how to manage E-mail attachments? Yes No

Please enter your four learning style modality scores from the survey created by Catherine Jester entitled "A Learning Style Survey for College" in the boxes provided below. If you have not completed this survey, access this survey and complete it before continuing. This survey will be displayed in a separate page. I would suggest that you read and save your results from this survey for future reference.

  • Visual/Nonverbal
  • Visual/Verbal
  • Auditory
  • Kinesthetic (tactile)

In the following table, I will provide you with computer/network questions or task. I would like for you to rate your own ability in the particular area and then rate the importance of this computer/network task to your own work or perception of usefullness. Rating will be high, medium, and low. Please do not skip any of the items listed.

Ability
Needed
Computer/Network Task
Knowing how to work with others in E-mail, a listserv, or usenet news group.
Knowing how to use tools such as word processors, database functions, spread sheets, zip disk, etc.
Knowing how to teach what you know about computers and networks to others.
Knowing how to use computer windows, menus, and a mouse or equivalent.
Knowing how to use new software and network applications.

How well do you adapt to changes in computer and network environments? Please post your answers to the following statements to the extent that you agree or disagree.

  1. New computer/network technology has made me rethink the way I do my work
  2. I have been able to learn new computer/network technology with little help.
  3. During the past few years, I have learned to use many new tools for computer/network productivity, and I am able to instruct others.
  4. I am always eager to get my hands on new computer/network equipment and software.
  5. I do not make a big deal about managing new computer/network technology.
  6. I am very dependant on computer/network technology. If we had an extended power failure or major breakdown, I do not know what I would do.
  7. My greatest fear about using new computer/network tools is that someone will discover how much I really do not know about this technology.
  8. I enjoy my work more than ever before as a result of the new power that computer/network technology has given me.
  9. I learn new computer/network programs better when I work with a partner.
  10. Computer/network technology relative to interactions with others is just another "bandwagon" like using TV for teaching.
  11. For me, formal training is a better way to learn new computer/network technologies, and formal training translates faster into my work related task.
  12. Sometimes I feel that there is too much change in computer/network technology, and these changes are overwhelming.
  13. I always enjoy learning to use new computer/network tools by myself.
  14. The university should not expect us to learn to use new computer/network software on our own without extra pay.
  15. After using the Internet and computers to access online information, I have a much greater appreciation for books, libraries, and librarians.
  16. The lack of organization of information on the Internet really upsets me.
  17. I feel like I have been left out of the Internet world. I do not feel at ease with this technology, and besides I do not see any use that will have in my business.
  18. I enjoy working with groups to solve computer/network related problems.
  19. I know that I have a lot more to learn about computers and networking, but I am encouraged by what I have been able to learn and I would like to share what I have learned with others.
  20. I consider myself adequately prepared to work with new computer/network technologies.
  21. Learning to use new computer/network tools is a major distraction from my work. As a result, additional compensation should be provided for those who are required to learn the use of these technologies.

Please rate your own ability to work with the following computer/nework tools. Use the selector to choose between High, Medium, or Low ability.

Ability
Computer/Network Task
Using web-based search engines to find useful information
Your proficiency using E-mail and listservs
Your ability to use necessary computer and network tools for desktop publishing
Your ability to use presentation programs such as PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat
Are you good at using boolean logic with search engines
Can you manipulate visual objects to better communicate your ideas with graphic programs such as Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop

Tour Guide.... Larry Tague, UTHSC