Let’s Learn Tech @ TPL OLA Superconference February 1, 2019 LLT offers eLearning opportunities in tech with delivery models that suit different learning styles three modules: Let’s Learn Tech Online Let’s Learn Tech Learning Circle Let’s Learn Tech Advanced – yet to come

We launched Let’s Learn Tech Online in March of 2018 in partnership with Cisco, earning the distinction of being the first public library to become a Networking Academy This module targets learners who are interested in improving their digital skills and competences whenever and wherever they want

The program currently offers three courses: Introduction to IoT, Introduction to Cybersecurity, and Linux Unhatched Learners can enroll in these courses using a self-enrolment page Each session is 9-weeks long, with new sessions beginning 2-weeks before the end of the current sessions, to allow for sufficient time to complete the course Our next sessions will start on Monday

October 2018, piloted first Intro to IoT Learning Circle in collaboration with TESS Locations were spread out across the city at the Albion Library, The North York Central Library and the Scarborough Civic Centre Library

We collaborated with 4 different agencies in order to make this project a reality: Cisco provides the curriculum and the platform in which the course is run P2PU supports staff with training and ongoing support within the eLearning community George Brown College is the Networking Academy we are affiliated with, offering technical support where necessary TESS has been instrumental in the selection of locations, facilitating recruitment and offering wrap-around support for participants of the first LLT Learning Circles

Online learning, face to face Learning circles subvert the traditional teacher/student format in favour of peer-to-peer learning Every learning circle has a facilitator, who does not have to be a subject expert The purpose is to complete an online course together with the support of your peers

Using the Learning Circle model, course completion rates climbed from well under 10% up to almost 80%, despite the fact that less than 30% of end of course survey respondents had ever taken an online course before 3 groups: Parents Youth Adults 45+, who had the highest completion rate @ 88%

Lessons Learned Smaller groups work better Social interactions are important Peer support was crucial Overall the model was successful One group had 16 participants, which was too many, 8-10 would be perfect The majority of survey respondents agreed that the program had contributed to their sense of social belonging All survey respondents stated that they felt supported by their peers in achieving their goals Over 90% of survey respondents stated that they are interested in pursuing more training, and all learners would recommended this program to others

What’s Next? NDG Linux Unhatched Potential Cybersecurity course New sessions of Introduction to IoT Expanding existing online offerings Linux in February – 6 branches across the city, open to the public Possible IoT again in spring, Cybersecurity in fall – TBD Expanding existing online offerings, with the potential of running them as learning circles Something in line with entrepreneurship

Contact Information Larysa Isoki lisoki@torontopubliclibrary.ca Marni Tam mtam@torontopubliclibrary.ca