Post on 24-Mar-2020
Media and Information
Literacy: The UTech,
Jamaica Experience
David A. Drysdale
University Librarian, UTech, Jamaica
Objectives
Give brief background on UTech, Ja.
Highlight the development of IL program
at Calvin McKain Library (CML) at UTech
Show how cooperation between Library
staff and faculty works
Share features of the UTech Library
online MIL program
Brief Background on UTech
Previously known as CAST – College of
Arts, Science and Technology
Established in 1959
Gained University status in 1995
Has grown significantly over last 5 years
Now approx. 13,000 students
Background Cont’d
Number of Faculties - 5
◦ Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies
◦ Faculty of Engineering and Computing
◦ Faculty of Law
◦ Faculty of Science and Sport
◦ Faculty of The Built Environment
Number Colleges - 3
◦ College of Health Sciences
◦ College of Business and Management
◦ Joint Colleges of Medicine & Public Health, Oral Health &
Veterinary Sciences
Background of IL at UTech
Calvin McKain Library at UTech,Jamaica
has successfully implemented an
Information Literacy program
Information Literacy has been taught by
Librarians since the 1970’s.
Incorporated in 3 University Fundamental
Courses
Academic Writing 1 & 2
Research Methods (3rd year students)
Background of IL at UTech
More recently developed an Information
Literacy course for Engineering students
in FENC
This is a one (1) Credit course
Taught exclusively by librarians
Course Content
Session taught by librarians for 11/2 hours
Cover search techniques, evaluating print
and electronic sources, using sources
ethically
REF Works database helps in this
Library resources also introduced
Assignment given: an essay
Requires using skills taught and resources
Other IL Sessions
LISOS Unit also meets students in non-
classroom spaces
Meet on dorms
Library Linkup sessions (eating and lyming
areas)
Program orientation arranged for
Faculties
Online Program
relatively new IL program developed for
students in online Post-graduate Diploma
in Pharmacy Degree program.
Program was developed and implemented
for Pharmacy students dispersed across 5
Caribbean Islands
Jamaica, St Lucia, Belize, Grenada,
Barbados.
Development of the Program
Program serves as a model for
cooperation between Academic Library
and faculty in an academic institution
UTech is only tertiary institution in
English-speaking Caribbean that trains
pharmacists
Online program is new
Introduced in 2013
Development of the Program
Development of IL project Involved:
Librarians
Faculty members from College of Health
Sciences (COHS)
Staff from the Office of Distance Learning
(ODL)
Development of the Program
Initial meeting with lecturers from COHS
involved in development of Online Post-
Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy
Program Director for Online Pharmacy
program was integrally involved
Support for IL program came from
highest level in the COHS
Program Team
Team from Library included:
Five Librarians
Administrative support staff
Instructional Media Services (IMS)
Division staff
Media Studies student in the Bachelor of
Arts in Communication Arts and
Technology (BCAT) program
Curriculum Development
Library was responsible for developing
the Information Literacy Module.
Done in collaboration with Everett Allen,
Instructional Design Specialist, office of
Distance Learning and Lecturer from
COHS
Curriculum Development
Team had two months to work on
module
Had to be ready to be uploaded to
student learning management platform
Moodle in August 2013
Had to be tested and ready for start of
new semester in August 2013
Content
Big6 Model used to develop Information
Literacy module
Content include PowerPoint presentations
An introductory video
Also Word documents
Content Cont’d
Module designed for completion in 6
hours.
Self-paced learning
Assessment at end of each unit
Quizzes for completion
Conclusion
CML IL sessions seen as valuable to
students
Many learn for first time about rich
resources the Library offers
Online Information Literacy module is a
work in progress
A success story in having a fully online IL
module