Going mental: Tackling mental models for the online library tutorial

Abstract

Many librarians have taken on the challenge of creating online library tutorials without the benefit of formal education and training in the field. They can learn much from research in system design, human-computer interaction, and applied psychology as these fields relate to the creation of online learning systems. Researchers in these areas believe that people approach online learning systems by making use of a conceptual (mental) model of the system. Designers' mental models influence the way they create learning systems, and student's mental models affect the way they interact with and learn from the system. Compares and contrasts the mental models of librarians and students as they relate to online library tutorials. Examines these mental models through a review of existing library tutorials, usability studies on various library tutorials, and student interviews about the research and writing process. The analysis demonstrates how students' mental models vary, often significantly, from the mental models of the librarians who design the online tutorials.