Guide on the Side: Testing the Tool and the Tutorials

Abstract

Guide-on-the-Side (GOTS) open source software is emerging as a popular new platform for library tutorials. Unlike video tutorials, GOTS tutorials provide an active learning experience for students. This research sought to determine student preference for passive video screencast tutorials versus interactive GOTS tutorials. In addition, the study compared creation time for GOTS versus video screencast tutorials, an important consideration in the adoption of this technology. Findings suggest that students are evenly split on tutorial preference, largely based on their individual learning styles. Furthermore, results showed that GOTS tutorials take significantly longer to create than simple screencasts, but may save time in the long-run because they are easily edited.

Tools and Principles for Effective Online Library Instruction: Andragogy and Undergraduates

“…Several studies mentioned the influence of individual learning styles on learning outcomes and student preference for tutorial types (Bowles-Terry, et al, 2010;Gonzales, 2014;Held & Gil-Trejo, 2016;Mikkelsen & McMunn-Tetangco, 2014). However, the studies that directly addressed the relationship between learning styles and effective tutorials found no direct relationship between the two.…”

“…Of the latter. some studies focus on specific tutorial software or delivery methods (Artemchik, 2016;Held & Gil-Trejo, 2016;Mery, DeFrain, Kline, & Sult, 2014;Mestre, 2012;Mikkelsen & McMunn-Tetangco, 2014;Stiwinter, 2013;Stonebraker, Robertshaw, & Moss, 2016;Turner, Fuchs, & Todman, 2015). Other studies examine best practices and educational principles for online instructional design (Bowles-Terry, Hensley, & Hinchliffe, 2010;Gonzales, 2014;Halpern & Tucker, 2015;Hess & Hristova, 2016;Lange, Canuel, & Fitzgibbons, 2011;Mestre, 2010;Scales, Nicol, & Johnson, 2014).…”

Guide on the Side and LibWizard Tutorials Side-By-Side: How Do the Two Platforms for Split-Screen Online Tutorials Compare?

“…The authors of the first GotS tutorial estimated that development took 70 hours 3 and student support during the assignment needed another 20 hours (Bracke and Dickstein 2002). Compared with the production time for an equivalent screencast, production may take more than three times as long (Mikkelsen and McMunn-Tetangco 2014). The latter study suggests the quizzing component may be a significant time-cost.…”

Specialized Tutorials for Specialized Resources: Using Interactive Guide on the Side Tutorials for Special Libraries Reference and Instruction

“…Assessment is still underway and somewhat challenging at our library. A previous study found that users were slight more satisfied with screencasts than GotS (Mikkelsen & McMunn-Tetangco, 2014) when presented with both tutorials, but there are many problems with presenting a user with two redundant tutorials and asking them to choose one that they prefer. A better metric would be use of GotS tutorials versus screencasts, which is a mixed bag.…”