TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH THE AID OF TECHNOLOGY

THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LEARNING COMMONS.

Dream or reality for Unisa? S. Gouws and M. Botha

Co-presenter: Steve Cilliers

Agenda

• Introduction and definition

• “We have a dream”• Characteristics• Aim and purpose• Academic assistance• Role players• Service idea• Collaborative working

arrangement

• How and what of the physical space

• Assessment, training and support

• Place owned by students• Staffing• National Help Centre• Risks!

What … ?

• KC in operation in Western Countries for past decade (LIED library = leader in this field, and also Kate Edgar KC in NZ)

• SA has two KC’s – UCT (first and model for SA development and Wits University library)

• Library focused vs. LS focused approach• UNISA for integrated approach

Beagle on the Commons

• “New type of physical facility specifically designed to organize workspace and service delivery (library) around the integrated digital environment …”

• Beagle: D (1999). “Conceptualizing the information Commons” Journal of Academic Librarianship, 25(2), 82-89

Key drivers

• Our institutional drivers:

• Utilize the resources and capacities of the University in community development initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.

• Establish service-orientated, technology-enhanced learner support to increase retention and throughput.

• Create a nurturing environment to promote student well-being, to foster a sense of belonging to Unisa, and to mobilize alumni in the service of the University.

• University’s strategic Objectives and Key strategies (summary by N Shillinglaw – Strat-sum-ULLT 060514/doc) referring to strategies 6.4-6.6:

We have a dream

Only as high as I reach can I grow, Only as far as I seek can I go, Only as deep as I look can I see, Only as Only as much as I dream can I be.much as I dream can I be. - Karen Ravn

Definition

• A LC in the university’s context is a student-focused, technology-enhanced learner support centre.

• It is a visible, centrally located facility on campus and at all decentralised regional centres.

Unisa’s proposal for a LC …

• The LC is a joint used, IT–rich facility (consisting of networks, public access points and other equipment), used by students for the purpose of acquiring computer accessing information and learning resources, in order to enhance the learning process.

Concept

• It provides a near-seamless integration of space, services, resources and staff

and is • able to provide cross training as and when required.

• The LC is therefore an area that is typified by the integration of technologyintegration of technology and reference servicesreference services

and is• also a place that facilitates learninglearning by any means

that serves the situation best.

Services @ …?

• Students want to work on their projects/assignments from start to finish in one area: the LC provides services @

• Point of need• Time of need• Place of need• Level of need

• Format of need

http://www.information-commons.auckland.ac.nz/content_files/about/gallery_viewer.asp?g=1&f=011a.jpg

CHARACTERISTICS!

Characteristics

• It is seen as a basic university administrative centre, is learner-centred and is developed to provide support to their studies.

• The LC is a visible, centrally located facility on campus or the regions and should be close to other student facilities. (A typical “one-stop-service”).

• The LC must provide a near-seamless integration of space, services, resources and staff and must be able to provide cross training as and when required.

Primary aim

• Assist the learner to become an independent learner who would be able to use technology to gain access to all the online resources that the university make available.

• Accommodate learner’s academic and social needs

• Support the learner – successful learning experience

Role players in establishment

Cross disciplinary approach• The proposed establishment would

involve the commitment of the following role-players:

– Library and -ICT– Regions and - Facilities– Marketing

Physical location

• Reception / information centre

• Computer facilities

• Library resources

• LS Support areas (Tutor/ counseling/foundation courses…)

• Virtual LC?!

Reception / information centre

• Reception/ Information centre: – It is suggested that this area/centre be situated up front in the foyer.

The idea is that this dedicated area would be targeted to deliver the following services:

• Booking• Referral• Information• Channeling and • Coordinating

– Accessible by phone, e-mail, and Web– IT related support (Computer area)

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use LC

registration

counseling

assessment

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writing

Library literacy

foundation

Bookingreferral

ASSESSMENT:

ASSESSMENT:

ASSESSMENT:

ASSESSMENT:

ASSESSMENT:

Assessment of student needs:

• Student information literacy competency will be assessed at the point of entrance through registration with the LC.

• Students need to register as users of learning commons ( fill out card/ assessing skills/ diagnostic testing/ referring student to relevant area/ service or level of competence)

• The assessment would then ensure that the relevant training be planned and provided according to the learner’s skills in IT and according to other competency levels.

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use LC

registration

counseling

Assessment and referral

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writingLibrary literacy

foundation

1

2

A

Three levels

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use LC

registration

counseling

assessment

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writingLibrary literacy

foundation

Skilled use

rs

Self sufficient

student

Third level

support services:

• PC based training in subject areas• The LC would be a facility where dedicated PCs

would be loaded with subject-based software and then booked out by lecturers/tutors for a certain subject-specific training/ tutoring purpose.

• It also serves as a • Reading and writing centre • And be used by students, doing assignments

Academic assistance

• Counseling, career guidance• Academic assessment• Tutorial services• Research and reference service• Information and academic literacy• Reading and writing centre• PC based training (basic, end-user computing,

subject specific PC based training, genl access to PCs)

• Disability services

TRAINING

Who would provide the training?

• It is suggested that an integrated team in the decentralized facility provide the students from basic to more advanced (information literacy) training.

• There must be two distinctions between the student who needs focused support (first and second entry level) and the self-sufficient/ self-help student (third level)

Student centric

• One stop integrated service and support area

• “Whole university “ experience

• Support and enhance the teaching-learning-research activities of learners

The LC for students

• Access to Technology in an information rich environments (subject related software, SPSS, Word etc. etc. etc.)

• Individual seating space (MUCH NEEDED!)• Comfortable study areas (Quiet areas)• Group work areas (Busy rooms/ buzz rooms/

discussion rooms)• (!)wireless networking• Library reference services

The LC for students (2)

• Library circulation area• IT training • Information and instruction areas• Reading and writing centre• Career reference centre (Counseling services)• Tutor classes• Foundation focused course offerings• Registration services

Self-help students

• The facility would be made available for the self sufficient student where the following services could be obtained:

• Use of the Internet "a pay-for-use-service" • Library functions: Reserved PCs to access OPACS and

electronic reserves • Access to global library information resources (library

“paid for services and databases”) as opposed to general internet usage

• Access to myUnisa and other e-learning resources of university

• Self help online registration during registration periods

Staffing

• Regional staff– Multi skilled

• Professional Library staff• Tutor support (booked) – ALSO Foundation

courses• Counseling (when required)• Reading and Writing (numeracy and literacy

skills)• ETC!ETC!

Staffing:

• The LC would be staffed by the regional staff to manage the “smart centre”. It is envisaged that multi skilled staff be appointed.

• The “smart center's” function would be to do pre-assessment of the registered learner’s skills and competencies and render support regarding registration and related functions, counseling and referral services, and also booking of venues etc.

Staffing

• The staff of the LC should be able to– Provide a continuum of services including pre-use assessments and

effective referral to other staff members of other units within the commons.

– Collaborate across the individual functional areas, to ensure that an integrated and effective service delivery to students is provided.

– Interact with all student support units to ensure that all aspects of support are accommodated in the LC, and that all support areas are effectively addressed.

• Library staff: trained library staff to be appointed to manage the pre-assessment of registered users, provide for information literacy training and walk about information support in the LC

Redefinition of Job Descriptions

• New (?) Library positions/ changed focus on JD• Employing of peer support – student assistants

(Assist students with learning, writing and research)

• Cross training• Cross skilling• Training and retraining

Access to the National Help Centre (NHC):

• In the help centre it is envisaged that the students be assisted to function in the different virtual services of the university, e.g. being referred to centralized tutor/ librarian/counselor

• The abovementioned services would be delivered/rendered through virtual online and telephonic student support services consisting of:– Virtual librarians– Virtual tutorial services– Virtual counselors– Virtual student administrative support (eg bursaries, queries about

registration or admission)– virtual financial support

Risks associated with this model:

• High cost of bandwidth

• Cost of sustainability (e.g. redundancy cycles of hardware)

• Cost of maintenance

• Forms part of operating costs of the university

• 24/7 support and help service/facility

Academic lecturer

Reading and writing, quantitative and information

literacy facilitation

Tutor quality assurance feedback system

Report back Monthly feedback Regional academic managers

Peer Collaborative Learning (PCL) with groups of students

15 × 3-hour sessions

National tutor coordinator

STUDENTS

Tutoring:• 15 × 2-hour sessions• Contact• Communication and availability

Use technology, i.e.• Video conferencing• Visits• e-Presentations• Satellite TV

Course package:• Study guide• Textbook/s• Tutorial letters• Tutor training manual• Multi-media programmes

Mediation methodology::• Collaborative student group facilitation• Reflections• Motivation• Exercises• Meta-cognition guidance• Problem identification• History and personality profile

Integrated Tutor Support System for Foundation Provision

Yes, We have

a dreama dream!!!!

Thank YouMarié Botha:

Unisa Florida Campus: 011 471 2439

All Images from Google/ Images

Assessment

• Student needs i.t.o.– Information literacy skills – point of entrance to

the LC– Students need to register as users of the LC– Skills assessed at registration, immediate

reference to relevant area or level of competence

– Relevant training according to learner’s skills in IT or other areas

Characteristics

• The LC would then be an area that is typified by the integration of technology and reference services, and also a place that facilitates learning by any means that serves the situation best.

Beagle on LC

• The LC is a

space owned by

students

Collaborative working relationships

• Benefits:– Integrated and seamless support services to the

students– Cross functional multi-skilled teams to support

the student– Cost effective sharing of resources– Breeding ground for innovative ideas ! ! ! ! !– (Hester Mountifield: University of Auckland:

NZ)

Purpose of the LC

• Learner success! (2015 strategy!)–Learner centric model–Access to learner support

services–Evaluation

Three entry levels

• 1st level – no PC literacy – training provided by Regional staff in the “literacy centre”

• 2nd level – basic PC literacy. Needs information literacy. Library staff assists student through formal literacy program

• 3rd level – advanced skills and competency levels exists. Student can use the facility independently and effectively move to self sufficiency!

http://www.information-commons.auckland.ac.nz/content_files/about/gallery_viewer.asp?g=1&f=007.jpg

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use KC

registration

counseling

assessment

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writingLibrary literacy

foundation

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use LC

Courseregistration

counseling

assessment

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writingLibrary literacy

foundation

Information desk =

registration for courses

High Technology rich area

Information Desk

Register to use LC

Courseregistration

counseling

assessment

PC Literacy

tutoring

Reading and

writingLibrary literacy

foundation

Information desk =

registration for courses

Student Centric model• It provides for appropriate academic

assistance, which would include but not be limited to the following services:

• counselling - • career guidance - • academic assessment - • disability services – • Technology enhanced learning• a reading and writing centre – • foundation courses - • and a research and reference service –