Web based information skills v the VLE: the LSE experience
Jane Secker, Centre for Learning Technology.
Maria Bell, British Library of Political and Economic Science.
UK
Demonstration: 35 minutes
Empowerment, Enhancement, Enrichment
A demonstration of online information skills training packages developed at LSE which aims to show how web-based resources have been developed alongside a course within the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This work is a collaboration between the Library and Centre for Learning Technology (CLT).
For many years, the Library has offered an information skills programme to students and staff. However, attendance at information skills classes has been declining with increasing demands on student time. Yet, the need for continued training was obvious from enquiries received by Library staff. Initial developments used the web to deliver a number of training packages aimed at all library users. This year, these courses have been used by almost 3000 users.
Since the development of these packages, the use of the institutional VLE, WebCT, has grown significantly at LSE, so that currently over half of the 7500 students are taking at least one course supported by WebCT. An Information Skills course within WebCT is currently under development for the next academic year and will be demonstrated. The aim is to improve the research skills of students, and to highlight the importance of information skills. WebCT provides a secure environment in which training documentation can be made available. All students will be registered on this course and the tracking features available in WebCT will be used to evaluate the impact of it. The existing information skills packages will continue to be available from the Library website, but more detailed training via WebCT will complement this material for LSE students. In the future, library and CLT staff envisage working with academic departments to produce subject specific information skills packages for use in WebCT, further embedding these essential skills into the curriculum.
