The experiences of
Interactive Distance Learning
Since 1996 the Foundation has been
holding courses on a regular basis mostly for librarians about library
informatics. Since 2001 the Foundation designed and started four programmes and
started two other programmes that were accredited by the Accreditation
Committee for Libraries.
The experiences
gathered in the area of further training for librarians show that the majority
of the participants has superficial and poor knowledge concerning the operation
of the computer and software.
The Foundation provides
training as a service covering the basic computer and software skills in the
framework of interactive distance learning for the librarians working in small
libraries in the countryside. By taking part in the training programme the
participants have the opportunity to reach a level of expertise, that they can
rely on when they take other courses and they do not have to stop and go back
again to the very basics of operating the computer and the software.
In 2002 the Foundation
made distance learning programmes available for librarians as an experiment.
The programmes developed for distance learning were part of a framework it was
distributed and made available to the Foundation by Számalk Informatika Rt
under the name of QULITYCATOR. The framework manages its training programmes in
a uniform manner.
Currently the following programmes are available:
Word2000;
Excel2000;
Windows2000;
Internet curriculum.
In my presentation, I
would like to introduce the organisation structure of the framework and the
currently operating distance learning programmes. I would also like to point
out the strengths and weaknesses of the system and call your attention to the
experiences of using the system that we gathered during the short experimental
operation. By the evaluation, I would also like to indicate the requirements
that a good operating distance learning system should satisfy. I would also
like to share my views as to what preparation and organisational efforts are
needed in advance to ensure that the system can be used well.
For those experts from the educational
institutions who would like to become familiar with the usage of computers, the
programmes that are currently available on QUALITYCATOR are accessible. These
programmes work as independent units and can be learnt via the Internet with
the help of a trainer.
Budapest, 02. 11, 2003.
Lajos Tamáska