From the Reference Desk...

Information about e-learning research could be very beneficial right now as school teachers, and college and university professors, gear up to create a new normal in education, due to COVID-19 changing the processes that had been used up until 2020.

Here’s a brief description of a handbook from SAGE Knowledge that addresses e-learning research. SAGE Knowledge can be access through the main Online Resources page of the State Library under Stats & Government. To view these books, paste the DOI found below into the SAGE Knowledge search bar.

“The new edition of The SAGE Handbook of E-Learning Research retains the original effort of the first edition by focusing on research while capturing the leading edge of e-learning development and practice. Chapters focus on areas of development in e-learning technology, theory, practice, pedagogy and method of analysis. Covering the full extent of e-learning can be a challenge as developments and new features appear daily. The editors of this book meet this challenge by including contributions from leading researchers in areas that have gained a sufficient critical mass to provide reliable results and practices. The 25 chapters are organized into six key areas: 1. Theory 2. Literacy & Learning 3. Methods & Perspectives 4. Pedagogy and Practice 5. Beyond the Classroom 6. Futures.” (Haythornthwaite, C., Andrews, R., Fransman, J. & Meyers, E. M. (2016). The SAGE Handbook of e-learning Research 55 City Road, London: SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9781473955011)

Focusing on libraries in Beyond the Classroom, Key Area #5, chapter 23 examines e-learning effects in libraries regarding services that are offered, as well as how to incorporate e-learning into their institutions. Information literacy, behavior studies, and practical solutions are all discussed, including the role of the library, and librarian. In the library world, we hear a lot about lifelong learning, and this book has a information on that, chapter 25. Museums are also included in this part, with information on the evolution of e-learning and what museums are doing to incorporate e-learning. The Future of E-Learning, Key Area #6, discusses e-teaching, distance education, and individual learners, among other topics that are relevant today.