The New Distance Learners: Providing Customized Online Research Assistance to Urban Students on the Go

This article provides an overview of the pedagogical theories surrounding distance learning while discussing the learning styles and characteristics of distance learners. The author describes how the use of social media and learning objects supports the pedagogical theory of connectivism. The author discusses how a mid-sized, urban university library uses social media tools, including YouTube and Twitter, to offer distance learning students the same level of research support as those studying on campus while examining other libraries that do the same. This method provides students with the opportunity to pick and choose online research support that is customized to their specific needs and timetable while still allowing for collaboration among peer learners.