Social software and libraries

Dr Jane SeckerCentre for Learning Technology

LSECDE Conference: 9th February 2009

Overview of talk

• The LASSIE Project overview and key outcomes:– Literature review– Case studies– The project blog– Developing an information skills course: IRIS

• What does it tell us about distance learners and libraries?

• Where do we go from here?

LASSIE

• Libraries and social software in education

• Nine month project funded by University of London’s Centre for Distance Education

• Several project partners• Literature review to provide

a snapshot of activity• Five case studies to explore

different technologies

Lassie filming on location in Florida. Photo courtesy State Archive of Florida

LASSIE – what worked?

• Literature review widely used & cited by library community

• Many publications and conferences• Case studies showed the value of tools

such as blogs, social bookmarking, podcasting, Facebook to enhance library services

• Strength of project team• Value of the blog as a research tool

Libraries and web 2.0

• A lot of enthusiasm for new technology in some parts the library community: blogs, wikis, social bookmarking etc.

• New technology can: – Reach new audiences– Engage with users more effectively– Enhance services by allowing greater

interaction and feedback

• Many issues including: privacy / data protection, staff development

Web 2.0 is good for:

• Community building

• Sharing• Conversations

• All help support and motivate distance learners

Supporting distance learners’ use of libraries

• Found many similarities between distance and full time students

• Students experience is of libraries is increasingly via the web

• Physical libraries becoming increasingly social – should virtual libraries mirror this trend?

• Recent research shows students are lacking information literacy skills (CIBER report)

• New technologies provide new opportunities for our services

Developing IRIS

• IRIS (Improving your Reading and Information Skills) is a course for EMFSS students in Moodle

• Four modules on: reading and libraries, using the Online Library, improving search skills, advanced use of the internet

• Also developed material on citing, referencing and plagiarism to go elsewhere

• Almost 400 students have accessed IRIS since launch in September 2008

Screenshot from IRIS

Areas for further work

• Evaluation of IRIS – feedback from students and subsequent modifications

• Rolling out IRIS to other parts of the External Programme – many of the modules are generic

• Enhancing other parts of the Online Library website with web 2.0 technologies

• But all require further funding….

Farewell LASSIE

For more information contact:j.secker@lse.ac.uk

Project website:http://clt.lse.ac.uk/Projects/LASSIE.php

Project blog:http://

elearning.lse.ac.uk/blogs/socialsoftware

/

Delicious account: http://delicious.com/lse_lassie/