Frequently asked questions

Answers to some of the questions you've been raising with us...

Q1. I don’t know where to get started, do you offer any TRAINING?

A: You should a lot of what you need here on this support site. We have included all our slides and notes from the training sessions we did last year (for example these Making IT Happen slides) and there's a step-by-step guide. This includes information on how to design Virtual Library pages on your website or Virtual Learning Environment.

Q2. I am worried that this will COST more money than a paper based library. Is it expensive?

A: It is as expensive as you want it to be.

At one end of the scale, all of Connexions Nottinghamshire’s online resources are a virtual library, in particular SortItOnline, which includes a full CRCI 'library' menu on thre left side of it's home page. We have organised the information using the library Careers Resource Centre Index Icons (CRCI), so our resources cover every topic that a Connexions Library would contain and do that it is logically arranged. Sortitonline.com also links to Fetch, MyChoiceNotts.com, Vacancies Online.com and Connexions Direct and so provides all the basic online starters for a virtual library.

Don’t forget that Connexions are also developing an online resource called Passportfolio, which helps take students through their career planning!

If you want an advanced library you will need to look at:

(i) adding software packages, eg. Kudos, JED, Pathfinder, etc. - for more information check out the Software Ordering form

(ii) integrating other aspects of your careers education priogramme and school events.

More support for your library development and management

Q3. I haven’t got much TIME to develop a virtual library.

A: Perhaps not if you carry working in the same way, but the beauty of a virtual library is that it saves you time in library maintenance, ie.less book ordering, cataloguing, classification, shelf tidying and stock editing to remove out of date stock. Also less wastage! No need to order lots of different lealets - look to add links to key websites where appropriate. For more advice about 'time' and how quickly some things can be done, see step 2 here.

Q4. What if the SYSTEM GOES DOWN?

A: Yes, once in a while it can happen. However, how often do you look for a book and it is being used by someone else or worse still it has been lost or the library is closed! Providing you check your software links on a regular basis and providing software is installed, you will be able to access resources most of the time. Don’t forget that the majority of students also have access to computers at home or in public libraries (free, walk in access at all libraries), and a lot of packages (like Kudos) offer an alternative for students to log-in at home/in the library and use online passwords provided by the school.

A - Back-ups:

Also, you might want to still have a small selection of printed materials as back-up in the event of the computer's going down.

Then, there's always your wider guidance support network (!), such as (i) Connexions Direct (Tel: 080 800 13 2 19 for instant advice) or (ii) Connexions Nottinghamshire (your local Centre) who you can call if you need some information quickly - so you could note and keep these numbers handy!

Q5. What about YEAR 7 AND 8 STUDENTS?

A: Yes the resources are limited at the moment but Connexions are currently working on resources for this younger age group. Look out for What Next 11-13 and online developments on some new contanet for these students soonon Sortitonline.com.

Q6 How do I manage USER AWARENESS?

A: Your virtual library: Integrate the website into your careers education/IAG programme and it should promote itself! So, when you're doing lessons, check that you've something that students can find starting from your online menu/home page and then highlight this. Also, introduce the virtual library at key stages of development when students are engaged in making their key decisions. Sessions can be run in the library or in IT suites. Introductions need to cover the layout and use of the virtual library zone and pages and an introduction to software packages at appropriate stages. However, a good virtual library layout makes things a lot easier.

A: Connexions sites: We have produced a 'starter' user awareness guide (that doubles up as training notes) to help you inform students and staff about Connexions Nottinghamshire's online sites and services and there is some site user help on SortItOnline.com (and this can also double-up as a starting point for preparing any 'user help' for your own site).

We also have prepared some tips on running an IT session.

Q7 What about EVALUATION of my online library?

A: You can do this in a variety of ways. One local college has included an electronic feedback form on their virtual library. Entice them to feedback with incentives. Informal feedback can be gathered during library sessions, ask them how easy was it to use, whether there were any gaps, did they get everything they needed and observe how they use the resources. Infact, some of the best ‘evidence’ can be gathered through user observations, but try to record that evidence. Paper based questionnaires could be given out at the end of the session and library suggestion boxes are another way of getting information back.

Q8 What about students who need EXTRA SUPPORT or have learning difficulties?

A: Content-wise: We are developing an Extra Support zone as part of SortItOnline, using feedback from our specialist advisers. We plan to develop content with less text, more pictures, lower reading age, links to the best ‘extra support’ sites (for content and usability) . There are some video clips and podcasts available. Also, visit Connexions Direct and look for the Yellow Star that signifies information for this user group (you can find this info from Extra Support on SortItOnline too). Passportfolio and our other sites are also being developed to support young people with special needs.

In your school: Additionally, some software packages such as JED are more suitable for students with lower literacy and special needs. Contact us for more information on support materials for your specific audience.

A: Usability-wise: The BBC's accessibility advice is a goodd starting point for how you might go about making your site as usable as possible and improving accessibility. Also, take a look at the options at the top of the page on Sortitonline.com for example. You can make fonts larger, make screens text only and use a range of ‘accessibility features’. After extensive and ongoing research on this topic, we will provide more usability guidance during the year, focussed on enabling the user to adapt their PC’s internet (or ‘browser’) look and feel for optimum use with ANY websites, along the lines of the guidance on the BBC site above.

In your school: As part of your standard support for e-learning, there are all kinds of ICT adaptations and enhancements that you might already (or should) make available for students who need them using any e-learning or online resource.

Got another question - please ASK!