Online Tutorials for Information Services: A Case Study of IIITM-K

Sainul Abideen P,Sreekutty TS, Yunus TP

Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management Kerala [IIITM-K) Thiruvananthapuram www.iiitmk.ac.in

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Objectives  To Share the experience of IIITM-K Library in using Online tutorials  To Demonstrate use of Online Tutorials as a tool for Information Services  To Provide Awareness on ‘Wink’ - Free Software /19

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Web Based Information Services          Digital Libraries E-journals Databases WebOPAC Bibliographic Databases Information Portals Library Blogs Institutional Repositories Wikis Automation Software etc With varying User Interfaces, Search Strategy etc /19

Current Situation of a Library User 5

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Traditional Approach to Solve such Situation    User Training Library Brochure User Manuals

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 Problems – – – – Need Constant interaction with users Shortage of Manpower Require time and efforts Need Internet Access- for Live Demos /19

New Approach to Solve such Situation 

Online Tutorials

– Tutorials in electronic Format – It may be – – –

a screen capture tutorial a written document (online or downloadable), an audio file, etc.

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Tutorials are generally step by step instructions on how to do something.

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Applications of Online Tutorials in Libraries

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      

User Education Staff Training Library Publicity Library Demonstration Marketing of the Information Products Demonstration of Library Websites Knowledge Management in Libraries

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Screen Capturing

tutorial

 Tutorials created using screenshots which are captured automatically or manually are called screen-capturing tutorials.

 Contains facility for providing additional callouts, explanations, buttons, audio etc /19

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Wink: Screen Capture Software  It is a freely downloadable tutorial and presentation creation software.

 Using Wink one can capture screenshots, curser movement, add explanations boxes, buttons, titles etc and generate a highly effective tutorial.

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Features of Wink        Freeware Cross-Platform Audio Input Formats Output Formats Multilingual Support User Forum /19

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Advantages for Libraries  Cost effective  Different output formats like PDF, HTML, etc.

 Save the time of Library staff  Saves time of library users   Increases the use of e-resources Works in Offline mode –no need of internet  Local Language Facility /19

IIITM-K Digital Library Services

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          'Mu-Dil' Multimedia Digital Library E-resources Digital Library Free/Open Source Software Library E-journals Gateway system Web OPAC of Books, CD ROM, Standards etc 'E Patrika’ Newspaper Portal Library Blog ‘ChemistryInfo’: Information Aggregation Portal Organises Hands on Training for Librarians Digital Library Internship Programme /19

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Applications of Online Tutorials in IIITM-K Library     User Training: Created online tutorials for WebOPAC,MuDil, Software Library, etc.

Internal Staff Training: Tutorials for software such as GenIsisWeb, WinISIS, ABCD, Apache, Wink 2.0, etc.

Library Publicity: Provided the details of services in website without giving access to services Professional Training: Use tutorials as additional course materials in hands on workshops /19

Applications of Online Tutorials in IIITM-K Library (continued 2)

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 Local Language Initiatives: Developed tutorials for the creation of the E-Mail address, Blog Account, etc in Malayalam.

 Developed a tutorial package called “Interactive Online Tutorial on Building Digital Library using WinIsis and GenIsisWeb” .

 Developing a Tutorial on ABCD Integrated Library Automation Software (Open Source s/w) /19

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Initiatives in Training on Online Tutorials  Organized a “National Workshop on Developing Online Tutorials for Information Products and Services” during 29-30 November 2008 

Tutorials on Demand:

IIITM-K library is also involved in building tutorials for other libraries or organizations on demand.

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18 Examples of Wink based Tutorials Visit

http://www.iiitmk.ac.in/ wink/

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Conclusions

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 Online Tutorials are highly effective tools for preparing various self learning materials and for advertising and explaining the use of new software  Online Tutorial is a promising tool for Libraries.

 Library community need much more awareness on Wink.

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THANK YOU

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