Two information retrieval learning environments

Abstract

The design and evaluation of two information retrieval (IR) learning environments took place in a basic course of IR (6 ECTS credits) at the Department of Information Studies at the University of Tampere. The course consisted of lectures, web exercises and tutored search exercises. Tutored exercises were carried out in two learning environments, in a traditional and in an experimental one. The participants in the study (n=57), were undergraduate students of information studies at the university.

Teaching and learning in information retrieval

“…In Halttunen (2003) and Halttunen (2007), the implementation of two pedagogical approaches, scaffolding and anchored instruction, to the field of IR is presented. The former tries to give some support to learners through their interaction with teachers and tools for search, so they can develop new skills.…”

“…With respect to search strategies, the main goal of instruction is to develop the learners' practical capability to search and understand the heuristic nature of IR techniques (Airo et al, 2007;Halttunen, 2007;Halttunen and Järvelin, 2005). Another educational goal is to improve the search skills of the students (Halttunen, 2003;Brajnik et al, 2003;Fourie & van Brakel, 1995).…”

Learning and Training to Search

“…As will be discussed in the next section, there is very little existing academic literature on search training, and it appears that there have been few systematic research programs focusing on this topic (with the exception of the University of Tampere program reported, for example, in Halttunen (2004)). This is despite Borgman's (1996) call for improved training and documentation based on an in-depth understanding of information seeking behavior.…”

“…As mentioned above, the amount of existing research is relatively modest, and it appears to be based on discrete projects instead of systematic research programs. There is one notable exception: Halttunen (2004) and the studies that are included in this dissertation (Halttunen, 2003a, b;Halttunen and Järvelin, 2004;Halttunen and Sormunen, 2000). We will first describe the relevant studies and then review the conclusions we can draw based on this research.…”

“…As mentioned earlier, by far the most comprehensive and systematic effort to evaluate search learning and training known to us is a multi-study project by Halttunen (2004). This dissertation reports the design and evaluation of two IR learning environments intended to support an academic course.…”