The support you need: when you need it
- “Finding information” http://www.gcal.ac.uk/library/findinginfo/index.html
- Online induction http://www.gcal.ac.uk/library/resources/guides/induction.swf
- 24-7 database tutor http://www.gcal.ac.uk/library/findinginfo/journals/databaseindex.html
Type of snapshot
Central services provision e.g. library, learning development, e-learning, ICT
What was the context for this snapshot?
Developed internally by subject librarians, with support from university web experts to support information skills teaching within the library. Has been extensively redesigned and rewritten in line with our plain English policy. Now incorporates extra modules such as online tutorials, flash animations and vidcasts.
What kind of learners were involved in accessing this provision or support?
Extensively trialled on all levels of students with special emphasis on distance learners and placement students (e.g. nurses out in hospitals). Revised by librarians in response to feedback
What skills or literacies were particularly being addressed?
Information skills – in line with SCONUL 7 pillars of wisdom model. Assessing information need, finding information, different sources, keywords, specific databases for subjects, using databases, using refworks to collate and format bibliographies.
Who provided the support? How was support provided?
Content written and revised by subject librarians (with suggestions from academics and students). Ongoing support from central web team. This is a constantly evolving product as database search interfaces change all the time!
Benefits, outcomes, and lessons learned
Try to retain the ability to edit your web pages, so that you can respond quickly to changes in external products or feedback from students. If at all possible try to get some extra funding for development time (we had none)
Benefits, outcomes, and lessons learned
Cross-disciplinary groups was a good way to work and allowed us to focus on student tasks, rather than the traditional boundaries of IT, Library, etc. We think this makes the information more accessible for the students.
We had hoped to make more content packages for easy inclusion in other courses but it didn’t quite work, lots of new content inside ISIS would allow this, but it is less useful for collections of web links which some topics are.