Start with the Staff

Sally PatalongSubject Librarian, Lanchester Library,

Coventry University.

Why?

• Connections – the library training slot– Research project mapping skills provision across the

university• University’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Strategy– Work with the Library in order to ensure that students

develop appropriate research and information evaluation skills

– Measure the training given to students to test and evaluate the authenticity and accuracy etc., of digital information sources

Investigation

• 23 things– Remembered conversations…– Looked at programmes that other libraries had run

• Survey of staff in the library, e-Learning Unit, Maths Support Unit, Centre for Academic Writing

Before…• Office Suite– I occasionally need to ask the odd question about a

package and no one I work with seems to know more / less than me

• Google Suite – Use Google and Google Scholar – there’s more?

• Devices– Used an iPad briefly.– Got a smartphone, but not sure about apps.

• Managing your online identity– What does that mean?

Digital Fluency Programme

• Purpose of the Programme(s)– Increase skill levels of staff– Increase confidence levels of staff – Support Library development needs

• How would the Library gain?– Reinvent the way we work by utilising digital literacy

approaches – Contribute more effectively towards DL approaches for

academic staff and students – Future-proof the library

Why Fluency?

There is a good explanation of the difference between digital literacy and digital fluency here:http://www.socialens.com/blog/2011/02/05/the-difference-between-digital-literacy-and-digital-fluency/

Compulsory, but with incentives

1st cohort – Subject Librarians

• 10 week pilot, 2 hours per week• Moodle• Content– Creating LinkedIn, Google and Twitter accounts– Google – power searching– Exploring tablets/apps– Working in the cloud– Using social networking

Content - continued

– Using Moodle as a teacher– Digital security– Creating online content– Supporting research– Synchronous support– Mahara

• Delivered by 2 Learning developers and several subject librarians

FeedbackThings for Work/Students:

– Google Searching session - some really good tips that I can use with students and in 1-1s

– More confidence in how to potentially use tablet devices with school groups– Enjoyed the opportunity to discuss ideas/tools/new services

New Skills/Knowledge for me:• Never used a tablet device before - good to see the positives (and

limitations!) of these• More knowledge of cloud computing - saving and accessing

documents/collaboration tools could be really useful• Useful to learn about Digital Security - would like to see more about

this from ITS

• The course has been particularly useful for me as an SL in the following areas:

•Tablet: Useful for meetings, good to have a portable device, helpful to know how it works in detail, use of apps

• Cloud Computing: Awareness of how data is stored/used and accessed - advantages/pitfalls

• Digital Security: Mini-project and session increased awareness, change in working practices as a result

• Moodle and Mahara: Push to get me to use them more, good for information skills training/academic liaison/greater understanding from the student point of view

• Overview: Collaborative working tools highlighted, enhanced and updated online skills, awareness of software that the University is using, use of social media in a work (library) context, feeling connected' and part of a virtual online community.

Cohort 2 – 8 weeks

• Other people working on the Enquiry Desk• Repository staff• iPads, no android devices• Problems– No University Librarian– Head of Academic Liaison Team on secondment– Learning developers moved out of the library– No Moodle space– Timetable dependent on peoples’ availability

Content

• Moodle as a student• Creating accounts – Google, Twitter, LinkedIn• Exploring tablets• Google Power Searching• Digital security• Working in the cloud• Social networking• Managing your digital footprint

Feedback

• What were your aims at the beginning of the course?– To improve my knowledge of using digital resources– To become aware of aspects that I don’t use, e.g.

Twitter– To learn more about online security– Broaden understanding/knowledge

• Have these been achieved?– Yes!

• Do you think the skills that you have learned on the course will help you in your day-to-day work? Please give examples.– Using the library Twitter on the Enquiry Desk– Making notes on iPad– Knowing how students use iPads for library work– Using Moodle to check and help students with

enquiries

• Are there any ways in which the course could be improved?– Make sessions optional– Security and digital footprint sessions would have been

better/more useful at the beginning to help you make better decisions as you were looking at different things

– 8 weeks seems a lot for the content– Familiarisation with University

website/Nova/Solar/Universe/Faculty information/University Apps

The future?

• Weekend staff want the chance to take the course

• More iPads?• Request space in Moodle• Look at the timetable structure• Plan well in advance• Continuing to keep up-to-date

Questions?Contact details:

Sally PatalongSubject LibrarianRoom FL215Lanchester LibraryCoventry UniversityGosford StreetCoventryCV1 5DD Email s.patalong@coventry.ac.ukTel. 02477 657535