Information skills and the student voice

Cathy Walsh, Director of Library and Learning Services, University of East

London.

Supporting the transition to higher education Need to review information literacy materials

– under used and not engaging enough Inspired by open learning resources and

employability tool Wanted interactivity Resource to suit different learning needs and

styles 24/7 support

Why Info skills?

Easily navigable Open/web based Dip in and dip out model for ‘strategic

learners’ Accessible – ‘the student voice’ Credible – the academic voice/the librarian’s

voice Engaging students Academic context: not just focused on ‘library’

but how these skills will improve academic performance and achievement

What should it look & feel like?

Staffordshire Assignment Survival Kit Cardiff Information Literacy Resource Bank Leeds Skills@Library OU Safari

What we liked…

Focus on level one students Can be used at any level Focus of ‘academic integrity’ alongside

information literacy For anyone at any level Can be used as a whole or ‘dipped into’ for

relevant videos

Who is it for?

Project managers - Learning Designer and Learning Technologist from E Learning team

Subject Librarians – developed the content (ownership by this team was vital)

Co-ordinated and overseen by Learning Designer – ensuring consistent style and approach

How did we do it?

Videos ‘in their own words’ Evaluative workshops during the process Feedback to improve and develop

Student involvement

What do you think is most useful on the site? The videos of the experiences from other students and the guides Simple, easy to follow layout Links to other useful resources from text pages. I particularly like the Search Tools Most useful I would say is the layout, I think it is easy to use and

navigate. I like the variety of resources on there. I think there is something for everyone.

Demos and guides Guides to referencing

Student and Academic staff feedback

The student and staff advice on the videos and the guides/demonstrations

The videos are invaluable as short interactive information. The assignment title area is invaluable in getting student to really think about what they are being asked to do, what question means and what is being asked of them. I think this section really helps to be focus directly on the task in hand.

The section on sources of information is excellent, provide a great break down on how to search easily and properly to get the best possible information that is trustworthy and relevant

Updates - ongoing Approached for re – use (creative commons

licence) Usage by collaborative partners - builds

links with library Academic staff use individual videos SLs use parts of it for induction and

information skills teaching Most used – referencing and academic

integrity

Continuing development

Embedded – skills module and staff interested in developing assessment within it

Videos widely used by teaching staff Regularly updated and refreshed Links to live chat etc Quizzes widely used Referencing and plagiarism materials

popular

How has it been used?

New Stratford Library

March 2010Over 400 suggestions - most popular:What would you like to see in the new Stratford

Library? 1. More books & journals 2. Silent study rooms with & without PCs 3. More PCs 4. More group study rooms 5. 24 hour coffee shop/vending machine 6. Clean toilets/clean library 7. Individual study carrels 8. More/reliable printers

Student survey

Every time I come into the library I bump into someone from my course and I want to find out what

‘There needs to be clarity at the beginning’  ‘Creating an environment that people know where they need to go and what

the choices are’. ‘I’d like to come in, decide where I’m going and just go straight there’ ‘Students need to know what is expected of them from the moment they

walk in’. ‘I agree we should be green, but we have to be warm enough in the winter

and cool enough in the summer. Natural light and ventilation is important but ultimately what’s more important?’

‘Study is so influenced by temperature.’ ‘..nothing too extreme – something a bit serious with no distractions.’ ‘Nice to have bright funky designs but the library needs to be more serious.’ ‘Everything needs to be streamlined. I don’t have time to queue – I like self-

service’.

Student consultation: focus groups May 2010

Presentation of plans to Student Experience Committee

Meeting with Architects Furniture workshop Individual students from School of

Architecture/Engineering on site

Student contributions during the project

It's a library for the 21st century! It feels like a real library It's just fantastic! I'm sorry I'm leaving Really, really excited, wonderful! Can't wait to use the study rooms Fab. Spacious. Much better than previous library – this is more fit

for purpose. PCs way faster and much more pleasant atmosphere and environment to study in

Fantastic, very impressive, lots of space to study Nice isn't it - can't keep away

Student feedback (‘you said, we did...)

The library is beautiful It's a marvellous building - modernized. A very good environment for

students and members of staff Lovely building. Great space for students to study and collaborative

work Very warm and welcoming very nice area - I love it! Very good learning environment with new computers, spacious with

automatics door for easy access What a fantastic building it's amazing you did all that in two weeks

More feedback....

Thank you. Any questions?