A brief tutorial indicating how to locate a book in the library by deconstructing or dissecting the anatomy of a Dewey Decimal call number. This learning object consists of a video showing users how to decipher a library call number.
Type of Material:
Multimedia presentation/tutorial
Recommended Uses:
With a specific focus on the Dewey Decimal Classification System, this presentation provides an introduction to the concepts of subject classification and call numbers.
Technical Requirements:
flash
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Instruction focuses on providing a conceptually sound understanding of the Dewey Decimal Classification System and how to use a call number to locate a book on the Library shelves.
Target Student Population:
College students and visitors to the Library unfamiliar with how materials are organized and accessed.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The analogy drawn between a call number and street address effectively illustrates the function of classification systems as providing an easy means by which to locate information resources compiled as part of a collection.
Concerns:
The configuration of call numbers varies from library to library. For example, some libraries use an author or Cutter number and date to uniquely designate the location of a book as opposed to a shelf list number. It might be useful to discuss the variety of methods of book classification (e.g., dewey compared with library of congress). Often students are familiar with one system but not the other. A brief comparison might help familiarize users to a similar classification system.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The presentation concisely identifies the relationship between subject classification and call number and concretely demonstrates how this relationship provides access to information. Very effective in its brevity. The tutorial quickly brings users up to speed on deciphering a call number.
Concerns:
Does not acknowledge the use of other classification systems in libraries or differences in various Dewey Decimal call number systems used at other libraries.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
In addition to employing visual images, voice over narration, and text bubbles or speech balloons, a print (pdf) copy of the information presented in the multimedia instruction module is also provided. The brief evaluation of the learning tool appearing below the presentation box encourages learners to provide feedback and promotes continued development and suggestions for improvement.
Concerns:
The viewing box/area for the multimedia presentation on some computer screens can be cut-off and navigation links/prompts for continuing with the instruction can be hidden until the learner scrolls down the web page. This is also true for the evaluation form which can be easily overlooked by learners if they do not scroll down to the bottom of the web page.
Creative Commons:
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