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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:[email protected]
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/