[Sigiii-l] Plaza

[Nadia Caidi]

(student)

The relatively unhindered access to information globally has enabled 
information professionals like myself, to recognize the abundant 
learning opportunities available to anyone with access to the internet. 
It is important for individuals living and working in an information 
society to have access to different learning opportunities. The 
development of distance education and interactive learning programs has 
provided access to education and knowledge from anywhere. They also 
provide an affordable and viable solution to educational institutions 
that are overcrowded and understaffed. Having access to distance 
education allows individuals, who might otherwise never go back into a 
classroom, the opportunity to increase their knowledge and education. 
 From a Global perspective, distance education and interactive learning 
allows individuals from anywhere in the world to share their knowledge 
and gain an education. As a lifelong student having access to distance 
education courses allowed me to continue my studies and be a “stay at 
home mom”.

As an information professional it is important to know what the 
information needs are for distance education and interactive learning 
students and to ensure that the materials for discussion and assignments 
are available. As an information professional, I need to cope with ever 
changing technologies needed to ensure that information for distance 
education and interactive learning programs is available, reliable and 
searchable on line. I also need to keep abreast of the types of courses 
being offered through distance education so that I can meet each 
student’s information needs. The information science community could 
help informational professionals cope with these changes by conducting 
research about what the unique information needs of global students are. 
The information science community can help themselves to cope with 
change by seeking the expertise of information professionals on how to 
manage and organize the information needs of distance education and 
interactive learning students.