The Learning Centre modelThe Learning Centre modelin the UKin the UK

Graham BulpittDirector, Learning Centre

Carlisle

Liverpool

A1

A1M6

M1

M62

Newcastle

Edinburgh

Glasgow

HullLeeds

Manchester

London

Nottingham

Doncaster

Sheffield

Birmingham

AimsAims

• to set out the background to set out the background • to describe the Learning Centre model to describe the Learning Centre model • to assess the impact on students, to assess the impact on students,

academic staff and LC staffacademic staff and LC staff• to identify success factors and issues for to identify success factors and issues for

the futurethe future

The broader contextThe broader context

The changing higher education The changing higher education landscapelandscape

• more studentsmore students• financial pressurefinancial pressure• quality and students as customersquality and students as customers• trend towards flexible lifelong learningtrend towards flexible lifelong learning• more independent and resource-based more independent and resource-based

learninglearning• the potential of new technologythe potential of new technology

““The heart of the university is no The heart of the university is no longer found in its lecture theatres and longer found in its lecture theatres and

seminar rooms but in the learning seminar rooms but in the learning resource centre...”resource centre...”

““...But students still want to be taught ...But students still want to be taught by well-informed and lively teachers...”by well-informed and lively teachers...”

““...And they want to be able to interact ...And they want to be able to interact with their peers, but...the opportunities with their peers, but...the opportunities

for doing this are diminishing.”for doing this are diminishing.”

Peter Scott, Peter Scott, The GuardianThe Guardian, 29 September 1998, 29 September 1998

The Learning Centre modelThe Learning Centre model

What is a Learning Centre?What is a Learning Centre?

‘‘A dynamic environment A dynamic environment

which integrates provision which integrates provision

to support a range of to support a range of

independent and group learning independent and group learning

activities’.activities’.

Learning Centre provisionLearning Centre provision

• library and information serviceslibrary and information services• computing provisioncomputing provision• multimedia productionmultimedia production• educational developmenteducational development• educational researcheducational research

AimsAims

• to anticipate and lead changeto anticipate and lead change• to meet diversity of needto meet diversity of need

through...through...

• strong vision and culturestrong vision and culture• flexible working environmentflexible working environment

Key statisticsKey statistics

• 10,000 visits each day10,000 visits each day• open 24 hoursopen 24 hours• 3 campuses3 campuses• 230 staff230 staff• Annual cost : £6 millionAnnual cost : £6 million• £500,000 income£500,000 income• 2,000 international visitors since 19962,000 international visitors since 1996

Virtual learning environmentsVirtual learning environments

The virtual learning environmentThe virtual learning environment

“ “ The aim is to create an electronic The aim is to create an electronic environment which replicates all the environment which replicates all the facilities of the real environment...facilities of the real environment...

...allowing students to move seamlessly ...allowing students to move seamlessly between the two...in a way which meets between the two...in a way which meets their own needs.”their own needs.”

Use of BlackboardUse of Blackboard

1. course information and documentation1. course information and documentation

2. teaching materials2. teaching materials

3. links to information sources3. links to information sources

4. communication and discussion4. communication and discussion

5. assessment5. assessment

6. learning materials6. learning materials

Developing VLEsDeveloping VLEs

• information content information content v v interactive, interactive, multimedia learning materialsmultimedia learning materials

• ‘‘neutral’ space to design new models of neutral’ space to design new models of course delivery and student supportcourse delivery and student support

Alternatives to academic librariesAlternatives to academic libraries

Idea StoreIdea Store

‘The plan is to create a series of bright new ‘The plan is to create a series of bright new buildings in local shopping areas - buildings in local shopping areas -

combining lifelong learning and cultural combining lifelong learning and cultural attractions with all the services normally attractions with all the services normally

associated with libraries…’associated with libraries…’

London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Idea Stores London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Idea Stores information packinformation pack..

The Idea StoreThe Idea Store

• public librarypublic library• computing facilitiescomputing facilities• advice centreadvice centre• adult education adult education • homework clubhomework club• exhibition and performance spaceexhibition and performance space• café, crèchecafé, crèche

ImpactImpact

Student experience surveyStudent experience survey

Most important servicesMost important services

1 Learning Centre resources 94%1 Learning Centre resources 94%

2 Access to computers 92%2 Access to computers 92%

3 Quality of computing 91%3 Quality of computing 91%

4 Learning Centre advice 90%4 Learning Centre advice 90%

5 Access to Learning Centre 89%5 Access to Learning Centre 89%

.. .. .. 20.. .. .. 20

The student's working weekThe student's working week

LecturesLectures 1010

SeminarsSeminars 2 2

TutorialsTutorials 1 1

Supported independent studySupported independent study 1313

Unsupported independent studyUnsupported independent study 1414

TOTAL:TOTAL: 4040

hours

““Like the Open University where you Like the Open University where you never see anyone...it’s all done by never see anyone...it’s all done by computers...no thanks!”computers...no thanks!”

Student interviewed in evaluation study, Student interviewed in evaluation study, SHU, 1999.SHU, 1999.

““It is the view of the group - and It is the view of the group - and research studies reinforce this - that research studies reinforce this - that effective learning takes place in a effective learning takes place in a social environment.”social environment.”

Foresight. The Learning Process in 2020 Task Foresight. The Learning Process in 2020 Task ForceForce..

Impact on learningImpact on learning

Meeting the needs of individual students Meeting the needs of individual students through: through:

• improved access to supported learning improved access to supported learning environments - real and virtualenvironments - real and virtual

• exposure to a wide range of information exposure to a wide range of information and learning materialand learning material

• opportunities to engage in different opportunities to engage in different learning activitieslearning activities

Impact on tutorsImpact on tutors

• more diverse student groupsmore diverse student groups• changing student expectationschanging student expectations• impact of new technologyimpact of new technology• use of resource-based workuse of resource-based work• changing role and skillschanging role and skills

Impact on Impact on Learning Centre staffLearning Centre staff

• broader rolesbroader roles• skills and experienceskills and experience• career patternscareer patterns• educational focuseducational focus• collaborative workingcollaborative working• cultureculture

““The use of information resources - of The use of information resources - of whatever type - can fundamentally whatever type - can fundamentally

change the character of programmes change the character of programmes of study and research...of study and research...

The key challenge for librarians is to The key challenge for librarians is to collaborate with academic collaborate with academic

colleagues to exploit the potential of colleagues to exploit the potential of information resources in information resources in

programmes of study and in programmes of study and in research...research...

...and to develop appropriate ...and to develop appropriate information skills in students.”information skills in students.”

Reflections: success factorsReflections: success factors

• collaborative, multi-professional teamscollaborative, multi-professional teams• academics receptive to othersacademics receptive to others• educational role of academic services educational role of academic services

staffstaff• supportive institutional frameworkssupportive institutional frameworks• share good practiceshare good practice• multiple approach to institutional multiple approach to institutional

developmentsdevelopments

Research agendaResearch agenda

• how do students interact with electronic how do students interact with electronic learning environments?learning environments?

• what are the changing needs of students what are the changing needs of students working in libraries and learning centres?working in libraries and learning centres?

• how can we identify and meet the learning how can we identify and meet the learning requirements of individuals?requirements of individuals?

• what are the implications for the role of what are the implications for the role of librarians and learning centre staff?librarians and learning centre staff?

Future developmentsFuture developments

• integrated support for studentsintegrated support for students• professional roles and boundariesprofessional roles and boundaries• materials for eLearningmaterials for eLearning• real and virtual environmentsreal and virtual environments• flexible working for 24 x 7 x 52flexible working for 24 x 7 x 52