What is Vitual Reference?
Last year I could not have told you what vitual reference or digital reference was because I never heard of it. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a class that required me to participate in a vitual reference project. I was assigned the role as a librarian and had to help several students with their research papers. It was such a positive learning experience for me, that I would not mind participating in the program again.
So what is Vitual Reference? Vitual Reference is using computers or other forms of communication tools to provide reference services to patrons anytime and anywhere in the world.
There are two types of Digital Reference. The first is Asynchronous Digital Reference. This is when a patron emails and web form questions to a librarian,and he or she responds to the question at a later date.
The second form is Synchronous Digital Reference which refers to Chat and Voice-Over IP in which the patron and the librarain communicate to one another in real time.
The benefits of vitual reference it's convenient,its free,response is instant and it gives one options. Teachers can inform students of this service for future researches. There are so many students who don't have access to the public library, don't have research skills and need assistance and or don't have anyone to help them outside of school. Vitual Reference provides many benefits for many.
Take a look at this article for additional information.
What is Vitual Reference?
www.oclc.org/questionpoint/about/virtual/default.htm
6 comments:
Hi Makingwaves,
Yes, I remember those days of VRD! Unfortunately, I haven't had time since then to be a virtual librarian. Your article brings to mind our previous discussions in class on technology such as VoIP and how it is being implemented in some public and academic libraries to assist patrons in locating
information. As for the application of virtual referencing services for students in elementary and secondary schools, there presently exist such services for students via telephone who need assistance in their homework or special assignments/projects. I look forward to learning more about this topic.
Hello Melody,
My school encourages students to participate with the referencing services online. The students like it, and have not complained much about the services.
One student even told me his mother needed a questioned answered for her job,and asked.
So, that proves it, the service is needed, and it does allow an individual to have options.
Yes I too remember those VRD questions and how that experience made me feel like a real librarian because I was actually finding information for someone other than my own students!
When I think of virtual reference, I always think of homework help for students. Maybe that's because it's the most common way that K-12 students use it. I always tell my students to use HomeworkNYC.org. This site uses has a "Ask a Librarian" feature that allows students to talk live with a librarian for simple factual information. For more detailed questions or help, students have to call in to a tutor. So I wonder, is virtual reference something that only a librarian does, or can others such as tutors or teacher type homework help be considered virtual reference too?
Oh the days of VRD! I remember I had no idea what I was doing. But once I got the hang of it, I as well, started to enjoy it. I feel that virtual reference is something that more people should know about and be utilizing. I definitely plan to inform my students and teachers in my school about this technology and hopefully they will use it.
Yes, I agree 100% with asking the students to use the help service more. This year I will use a contract and give 10 extra points to those students who use the service and show a confirmation number stating they used the service.
I will also send home a letter to parents asking them to encourage the use of online help services.
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