The Referencing session was also a challenge to develop and make interesting! The lesson was developed by a colleague, but I looked at how we might utilise the functionality of our newly acquired SMARTboards...
With a little experimentation slides were developed where the basic elements of a reference (author, title, date, edition, place, publisher etc.) were typed in separately. It is then possible for each element to be moved around the screen with a finger - thus a full bibiliographic reference can be scrambled up and then moved into the correct order by individuals
Again, the advantages of this approach were to get students up and out of their seats, to the front and actively participating, it appeals to a range of learning styles (visual, kinaesthetic) and is fun.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Debut using SMARTboards 1
This term has seen the development of a set of Library Skills Training sessions including plagiarism and referencing. As our new build includes 6 new PC rooms complete with SMARTboards, the challenge was to incorporate the functionality of SMARTboards into our teaching...
Part of the Plagiarism session was used under creative commons license via JORUM and originated at Leeds University. It included a set of case studies for students to analyse in groups. As the tutor responsible for putting together this session, I developed the idea of using the 'vortex' function on the SMARTboard software. The ten case studies were either 'plagiarism' or 'not plagiarism' Two vortexes were labelled as such on the board and learners were invited to come to the front and drag 'Case study 1' etc into the relevant vortex.
This had several advantages; It involved the learners in actively particpating in the session, moving from their seats to the board; It appeals to different learning styles (kinaesthetic and visual); and it is fun!
Part of the Plagiarism session was used under creative commons license via JORUM and originated at Leeds University. It included a set of case studies for students to analyse in groups. As the tutor responsible for putting together this session, I developed the idea of using the 'vortex' function on the SMARTboard software. The ten case studies were either 'plagiarism' or 'not plagiarism' Two vortexes were labelled as such on the board and learners were invited to come to the front and drag 'Case study 1' etc into the relevant vortex.
This had several advantages; It involved the learners in actively particpating in the session, moving from their seats to the board; It appeals to different learning styles (kinaesthetic and visual); and it is fun!
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Support for visually impaired students
The needs of two visually impaired students have come to light this term. The first student said nothing until the end of the session when he informed a colleague that he found the white mouse marker difficult to follow on the SMARTboard. Consequently, we have all changed the accessibility settings on our log ins and a much larger black arrow is used.
The next student came with a classroom supporter and so was identifiable from the start. Single slide PPT handouts were prepared and feedback form, and other print resources hastily printed out in 20 point type size! As a series of sessions had been booked with this learner's class, it was possible to have subsequent resources all ready to hand to her at the beginning of a session.
On reflection, we have reminded those booking library skills sessions to specifically ask tutors to let us know of special needs.
A separate 1:1 (an eConsultation) session was arranged with the second student to look at the accessibility features of eBooks - an hour was given (double the usual time) in view of her difficulties. IT skills were also challenging for this student so time was taken to 'bookmark' the library catalogue, moodle and Athens log in page on her laptop.
A second session with this student resulted in a quick tour of the library and identifying books which she subsequently borrowed - here more difficulties were encountered as the self-issue scout machines are positioned where they get maximum glare from sunlight and the type face used is very small! Fortunately, a member of staff is usually around to help out.
On reflection, I contacted one of the LDD support staff who explained the software they use to translate teaching resources into speech. A visit to this department for a demonstration and explanation of other aspects of their work is booked for the middle of December.
All in all, a useful term from the point of view of empathising with LDD students and finding out how the College supports teaching and learning in this context
The next student came with a classroom supporter and so was identifiable from the start. Single slide PPT handouts were prepared and feedback form, and other print resources hastily printed out in 20 point type size! As a series of sessions had been booked with this learner's class, it was possible to have subsequent resources all ready to hand to her at the beginning of a session.
On reflection, we have reminded those booking library skills sessions to specifically ask tutors to let us know of special needs.
A separate 1:1 (an eConsultation) session was arranged with the second student to look at the accessibility features of eBooks - an hour was given (double the usual time) in view of her difficulties. IT skills were also challenging for this student so time was taken to 'bookmark' the library catalogue, moodle and Athens log in page on her laptop.
A second session with this student resulted in a quick tour of the library and identifying books which she subsequently borrowed - here more difficulties were encountered as the self-issue scout machines are positioned where they get maximum glare from sunlight and the type face used is very small! Fortunately, a member of staff is usually around to help out.
On reflection, I contacted one of the LDD support staff who explained the software they use to translate teaching resources into speech. A visit to this department for a demonstration and explanation of other aspects of their work is booked for the middle of December.
All in all, a useful term from the point of view of empathising with LDD students and finding out how the College supports teaching and learning in this context
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Good feedback!
Well - nearly a whole term of teaching information literacy to HE students in a mixed economy FE/HE college! A team of 3 subject librarians have undertaken this task (2 full time equivalents)
We carefully saved and collated all feedback forms from the learners; these were graded responses to a maximum of 4 questions relating to the learning outcomes. The grades were 1-2-3-4-5 set out with sad and smiley faces at appropriate ends! Each form also had space for additional written comments.
As well as being personally encouraging for individuals and allowing reflection as a team, the forms have been analysed and turned by our Library Manager into bar charts, pie charts...you name it...! The upshot is that over 80% of learners were grading the sessions at 4 or 5 - a fantastic result! The written comments were also very encouraging and used to advertise the sessions on the staff intranet.
Further feedback has come from members of staff by email and also via a Board of Study where an official commendation was made; followed by a commendation being sent to the College Board.
We are, however, reluctant to rest on our laurels! We know only too well some of the problems with our sessions and the need to sort these out before autumn 2012.
We carefully saved and collated all feedback forms from the learners; these were graded responses to a maximum of 4 questions relating to the learning outcomes. The grades were 1-2-3-4-5 set out with sad and smiley faces at appropriate ends! Each form also had space for additional written comments.
As well as being personally encouraging for individuals and allowing reflection as a team, the forms have been analysed and turned by our Library Manager into bar charts, pie charts...you name it...! The upshot is that over 80% of learners were grading the sessions at 4 or 5 - a fantastic result! The written comments were also very encouraging and used to advertise the sessions on the staff intranet.
Further feedback has come from members of staff by email and also via a Board of Study where an official commendation was made; followed by a commendation being sent to the College Board.
We are, however, reluctant to rest on our laurels! We know only too well some of the problems with our sessions and the need to sort these out before autumn 2012.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Social media / social networking
Thing 12 - well, I have spoken about this before. I'm not sure that online communities are much different to the real thing; does it all depend upon an individual's personality traits? Are you more likely to interact online if you find large social gatherings a bit of a trial? Interesting.
I've followed a few more library people via twitter - including Phil Bradley This is useful and always brings up something interesting each day.
I've also saved some searches on twitter and have been intruiged by the links thrown up by Library Camp 2011, Infolit and others.
I will definitely carry on using social networks. However, it would be good to look out for opportunities to meet up in reality with others in the same field. Teachmeets would be a good idea, or something similarly low in cost.
I've followed a few more library people via twitter - including Phil Bradley This is useful and always brings up something interesting each day.
I've also saved some searches on twitter and have been intruiged by the links thrown up by Library Camp 2011, Infolit and others.
I will definitely carry on using social networks. However, it would be good to look out for opportunities to meet up in reality with others in the same field. Teachmeets would be a good idea, or something similarly low in cost.
Evernote
Evernote hasn't been successful at work as it doesn't seem to be possible to add material via clips to my Evernote page - frustrating.
Consequently my home usage has dropped and I'm still laboriously bookmarking my favourites on internet explorer - they are in folders, but it's still more limited.
Consequently my home usage has dropped and I'm still laboriously bookmarking my favourites on internet explorer - they are in folders, but it's still more limited.
Playing catch-up
Well! Just a little behind with the blogs for CPD23. A range of reasons, not least because term started at the beginning of September and it's been one merry go round since then.
The library skills sessions we have offered this academic year have really caught on. Library orientation was the big one in the first 3 weeks; and now it's calmed down with a steady flow of bookings for other sessions.
This has been a real learning curve and has meant that my emphasis has been more upon day to day troubleshooting and teaching rather than developing the broader librarianship and web 2.0 aspects of the job.
Now, having graduated last night, my thoughts are turning to QTLS status and growing my webfolio on the IfL website - no mean task! So, once more teaching is eclipsing the library aspects of my work. However, I'm sure they can be dovetailed as they are complimentary really. Some time management techniques may help!!
Re Thing 10 - masters degrees...chartership...accreditation and what comes next? Well, I took my Librarianship degree over 30 years ago; job changes over the last few years, resulting in a shift towards subject librarians and outsourcing my old job (cat & class), led me to enroll on a DTLLS (Diploma for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector) course at the college where I work. That was 2 years ago and I graduated last night.
And now? A year to consolidate the library skills training, achieve QTLS status and then who knows? Certainly, some information literacy qualification would be useful, but so far I think it is only Sheffield Uni which runs a course....will keep this in mind. In the meantime, severe cuts in education and a drop in enrollment figures have resulted in little money for resources or training. Will be on the lookout for freebies like local teachmeets then!
Thing 11 - Mentoring. Well, that would be nice, but it's hard to see how anyone in my workplace could find time to formally mentor me. However, would it be possible to take advice from a mainstream teacher? Perhaps that is something to consider.
The library skills sessions we have offered this academic year have really caught on. Library orientation was the big one in the first 3 weeks; and now it's calmed down with a steady flow of bookings for other sessions.
This has been a real learning curve and has meant that my emphasis has been more upon day to day troubleshooting and teaching rather than developing the broader librarianship and web 2.0 aspects of the job.
Now, having graduated last night, my thoughts are turning to QTLS status and growing my webfolio on the IfL website - no mean task! So, once more teaching is eclipsing the library aspects of my work. However, I'm sure they can be dovetailed as they are complimentary really. Some time management techniques may help!!
Re Thing 10 - masters degrees...chartership...accreditation and what comes next? Well, I took my Librarianship degree over 30 years ago; job changes over the last few years, resulting in a shift towards subject librarians and outsourcing my old job (cat & class), led me to enroll on a DTLLS (Diploma for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector) course at the college where I work. That was 2 years ago and I graduated last night.
And now? A year to consolidate the library skills training, achieve QTLS status and then who knows? Certainly, some information literacy qualification would be useful, but so far I think it is only Sheffield Uni which runs a course....will keep this in mind. In the meantime, severe cuts in education and a drop in enrollment figures have resulted in little money for resources or training. Will be on the lookout for freebies like local teachmeets then!
Thing 11 - Mentoring. Well, that would be nice, but it's hard to see how anyone in my workplace could find time to formally mentor me. However, would it be possible to take advice from a mainstream teacher? Perhaps that is something to consider.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Advantages of social media... fostering the sharing of information... this is interesting as at the moment I find that people are far more willing to share information online than in the workplace - this maybe because of the economic climate - you are more likely to be competing for a job with those you see face to face on a daily basis - this is a real shame.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Hmm - frustrating half hour with Evernote - loaded okay and downloaded web clipper thing, but can't get the latter to work - I really don't have the time for all of this :-(...
later got the thing to work... hoping it will be a constructive tool to use as constantly coming across useful pieces of info and to gather them in one place would be great! :-)
later got the thing to work... hoping it will be a constructive tool to use as constantly coming across useful pieces of info and to gather them in one place would be great! :-)
Tried out Summify - tip I picked up whilst on online chat forum... it picks out the top 5 items from your blog / twitter lists etc and posts them to you each day... all very well... but couple of problems
1. Twitter especially has both social and work contacts - both treated equally by summify...should I have a separate work twitter account?
2. I don't know what I'm missing out on so still need to check!
On the plus side - I have very little time to read emails / RSS feeds etc at the moment so it has a limited use
It does highlight a problem though - the overlap of professional and personal aspects of my life and information! This was increasingly evident on twitter, but now also on facebook as I have 'liked' CDP23 and one of my work colleagues who is a facebook friend is posting links about QR codes. So, lunchtime giving myself a break from it all by checking facebook can backfire!
1. Twitter especially has both social and work contacts - both treated equally by summify...should I have a separate work twitter account?
2. I don't know what I'm missing out on so still need to check!
On the plus side - I have very little time to read emails / RSS feeds etc at the moment so it has a limited use
It does highlight a problem though - the overlap of professional and personal aspects of my life and information! This was increasingly evident on twitter, but now also on facebook as I have 'liked' CDP23 and one of my work colleagues who is a facebook friend is posting links about QR codes. So, lunchtime giving myself a break from it all by checking facebook can backfire!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Hmm - really getting a bit behind here - it doesn't do to go on holiday; you have twice as much to do when you get home!
However, have 'liked' 23 Things on Facebook (not difficult...) and joined an online discussion yesterday evening (impressive...) A little disconcerting that the other 13 people seemed to know an awful lot more than me, but I picked up one useful tip to pursue. I found out about the discussion via Twitter - now Twitter has been the beginning of it all for me; it started my networking journey.
However, have 'liked' 23 Things on Facebook (not difficult...) and joined an online discussion yesterday evening (impressive...) A little disconcerting that the other 13 people seemed to know an awful lot more than me, but I picked up one useful tip to pursue. I found out about the discussion via Twitter - now Twitter has been the beginning of it all for me; it started my networking journey.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Have capitulated slightly (if that's possible!) and posted my photo onto my Twitter profile and yes! here too :-)
Monday, 4 July 2011
Ah! Twitter! Joined a while back and vaguely followed a couple of celebs...
then went to LILAC11 for a day, which rekindled my interest!
Followed LILAC tweets and it's spread from there - some really interesting links AND you don't have to trawl through masses of text to get to useful info - :-)
then went to LILAC11 for a day, which rekindled my interest!
Followed LILAC tweets and it's spread from there - some really interesting links AND you don't have to trawl through masses of text to get to useful info - :-)
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Thing 3
All very interesting and I can see that it is useful to personalise your presence locally in your own institution - library website / Moodle pages / Intranet etc. However, remain to be convinced about it's use for me personally in a wider context.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Day off at Wimbledon!
Tuesday was a day off this week; tickets for No.1 Court at Wimbledon :-) and it didn't rain!
Saw some good tennis and savoured the atmosphere
Three things you notice when you are actually there as opposed to watching on TV:
1 How incredibly compact the ground is
2 How well organised everything is - all the staff, events, facilities etc.
3 How light travels faster than sound if you are sitting at the back of a show court! You see the ball played and then hear the sound
Saw some good tennis and savoured the atmosphere
Three things you notice when you are actually there as opposed to watching on TV:
1 How incredibly compact the ground is
2 How well organised everything is - all the staff, events, facilities etc.
3 How light travels faster than sound if you are sitting at the back of a show court! You see the ball played and then hear the sound
Monday, 20 June 2011
Okay! Thing 1 and Thing 2 accomplished. Have selected a couple to 'follow'.
I just love this networking thing! Looking at one blog leads you off down another pathway. Joined twitter a while ago and that's fantastic for networking - loving all of this!
Only thing that concerns me is the danger of leaving some learners behind - those who aren't IT inclined - that's not just the more mature either!
I just love this networking thing! Looking at one blog leads you off down another pathway. Joined twitter a while ago and that's fantastic for networking - loving all of this!
Only thing that concerns me is the danger of leaving some learners behind - those who aren't IT inclined - that's not just the more mature either!
Monday, 30 May 2011
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