INFORMed ELP

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INFORMed ELP

• Trudi Knight, Maggie Leharne, Gwen Seabrook Smith
• University of Greenwich

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Setting the scene

• Why is e-learning important to librarians?
• E-learning has changed the nature of professional
  engagement between librarians and users
• Increasingly learning is taking place online and
  at a distance
• More electronic resources are in use than ever
  before

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The ELP project

• To develop an online information skills module
• To enhance the induction sessions provided by
  Academic Services Librarians to on-campus
  students
• To promote the development of the OSCARS service
  for off-campus students
• To offer an out of hours service to both groups

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Tools for delivery

• INFORMS database and Project website
• supported by blog

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INFORMS project objectives

• Develop the information seeking skills of both
  academic staff and students 
• Raise the awareness of the resources available
  through the Information Environment  
• Enable and provide support for re-using content
  and learning objects 
• Develop the skills and knowledge of librarians
  (pedagogical and technical)

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Reasons for employing e-learning

• Face to face tuition is not readily available for
  off-campus students
• Additional support for those that miss induction
  sessions or want to refresh their memories about
  what was taught
• Interactivity will consolidate learning as well
  as improving confidence and increasing
  self-sufficiency

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Benefits

• Accommodates different levels of understanding
• Activity based, learner centred, flexible
• Around-the-clock accessibility
• Equity of resources and support

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Project deliverables

• Three bite-sized units covering
• An introduction to Library information
• Using the Library catalogue
• Locating and evaluating information on the
  Internet

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Assessment

• Checking progress through self-assessment
• No time limits or usage restrictions
• Guidance will be made available
  post-implementation to reinforce learning and
  direct students to the most appropriate units

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Moving ELP on

• The first units will be launched in September
  2005 following testing and evaluation by Academic
  Services Librarians and OSCAR volunteers
• Units will be freely available to all staff and
  students throughout their time at the University
• The module will be submitted to LS management for
  consideration as part of a future LS information
  literacy strategy

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Moving ELP further on

• Evaluation, selection and customisation of more
  Informs units
• Publicity and incorporation into induction
  strategy
• Investigation of possibility of publishing units
  in alternative formats e.g. WebCT, HTML

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Contact

• Trudi Knight
• T.E.Knight_at_gre.ac.uk
• Maggie Leharne M.J.Leharne_at_gre.ac.uk
• Gwen Seabrook Smith G.M.Smith_at_gre.ac.uk