I see that the LILAC programme is now available. As usual it seems they have worked hard to include some interesting keynote speakers. Jo Webb and I are going to do a symposium session on the wednesday morning on “researcher’s learning lives” in which we plan to draw on some of the research from our book to examine how researcher’s learning needs change throughout their research life.
Grand Canyon.
I am looking forward to the CONUL/SCONUL seminar in Dublin next week. Jo Webb and I will be giving a talk entitled “Information Literacy in a researcher’s learning life”, based on a paper we (and Pat Gannon-Leary) recently submitted to the New Review of Information Networking.
Moon rising over the Grand Canyon
Some people might recall a programme called EduLib which ran several years ago in the UK, aiming to develop teaching skills for library staff. Having attended the original course in 1998, Christine Purcell from Durham University and I set up some cascade workshops which we entitled LibLearn (Library staff facilitating learning). We ran collaborative workshops for both professional and para-professional staff from all 5 academic libraries in NE England.
This month, we have rejuvenated LibLearn and are running a series of workshops for library assistants. LibLearn 2008 aims to help library staff understand how they can encourage students to become independent learners. It looks at learning styles, attitudes and habits, communication and enquiry skills. The first workshop seemed to be very well received so we’re hoping the next two will be too.
Bryce Canyon, USA Aug 2007
I just realised I haven’t mentioned on the blog that Pat Gannon-Leary and I are giving a talk at the UCRG Northern Group Autumn event at Durham University on the afternoon of 3rd Dec. Entitled “Supporting researchers in academic libraries” the event also includes talks by Michael Jubb, Director, Research Information Network (RIN) and Eleanor Loughlin,Graduate Training Officer and Nicola Siminson,Researcher Training Librarian from Durham Univesity. Pat and I will be talking about some of the research we did for our book.
Birds at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley. I never did look up what they were!
The SCONUL Working Group on Information Literacy is organising a joint CONUL/SCONUL one-day seminar at Dublin City University on 31st January 2008. Entitled “Information strategies for researchers : where are we making a difference?” it features lots of interesting talks from people such as Andrew Booth, Angela Newton, Dermot Diamond, Sheila Webber, Marie Reddan and myself and Jo Webb. Jo and I will be using some of the research from our book to talk about info lit in a researcher’s learning life.
Half Dome Yosemite National Park, Aug 2007
Last week I was involved in a workshop here at Newcastle supporting candidates for the next NTF scheme. Participants were mainly academic staff, with just a couple of “support” or, as our VC likes to call us, “professional” staff present. There are still only a few librarians who are NTFs and it would be great to have some more. David Sadler from the HEA is coming to the next WGIL meeting to discuss this issue and think about how more librarians might be encouraged to join the HEA and apply to the NTFS. If there’s anyone out there who is thinking of applying, then stop thinking and do it! I’d be very happy to give advice if you need it.
Death Valley USA
I am pleased to see that Geoff and Alison at Staffordshire University are continuing their useful series of IL workshops this year. The next one will be held on 7 November 2007 and will focus on information literacy and the use of space. Speakers include Bob Glass (see his pic on my blog a few weeks ago)from Manchester Metropolitan University on Flexible Learning Spaces and Dave Parkes, Staffordshire University on Participatory Cultures.
They have a booking form
Sunset over the Aegean
The road to Molyvos
Sirje Virkus from Tallin University in Estonia has been researching into IRCs in open and distance learning institutions and has a lot of detailed data. I wasn’t able to make notes as her presentation was very fast and detailed, but I look forward to reading her paper when the conference proceedings are published.
Access to new technologies and services is a priority in India and Maitrayee Ghosh gave us a fascinating overview of the kinds of innovative projects which are taking place. I particularly liked the concept of the InfoThela or Infocart- a bicycle front end, with a battery powered information console behind, which works with a wireless connection to the internet and can be taken to small villages to provide general info, health care, agricultural info and much more. I’ll add a photo when I can get one. Maitrayee mentioned many other projects relating to agricultural information, telemedicine and the simputer, a cheap little computer for personal use. The digital divide in India is enormous, exacerbated by the number of different languages spoken in the rural areas.
A street in Molyvos
I use mind mapping quite frequently with students when I’m teaching them to think about search strategies so I was keen to hear what Virpi and Jouni had to say about their course involving mapping tools and information retrieval. Based at TKK, the leading technology university in Finland, the course is for teaching staff, to enable them to use these methods in their own teaching and Virpi explained that all the staff have found it helpful. I also hadn’t realised the differences between mind, concept and dialogue maps, but was pleased to find that they use the same mind mapping software as I do (Freemind). Jouni explained that concept maps (software CMap Tools) are good for defining terms and creating relationships, while dialogue maps (software Compendium) are about questions, answers and reasons. It makes sense when you see their examples.
Jouni Nevalainen and Virpi Palmgren (hotel pool and Molyvos in background)