1 Beyond the Library: i-Skills for University Administration © Netskills, Quality Internet Training, Newcastle University Partly funded by the Helen Conroy

2 Outline i-Skills programme Background Research Workshop programme The self-assessment tool Development Key features Future plans

3 What are i-Skills? "The ability to identify, assess, retrieve, evaluate, adapt, organise and communicate information within an iterative context of review and reflection"

4 i-Skills for Administration 2006 Netskills Research, workshops and self-evaluation tool Leeds and Loughborough Universities Exemplifying the i-Skills model in specific job roles Exploring implications for staff development 2007 Netskills funded to Prepare self-evaluation for online conversion Run a series of workshops for staff development

5 Survey & Interviews Liaison with AUA (Association of University Administrators) Online survey of information use Jan/Feb 2006, 290 responses From 75 HE institutions 65% had a management role 20 telephone / face-to-face interviews From junior accounts assistant to a Registrar

6 Quotes There's too much of it, and it gets filed 'just in case'. I spend too much time 'sifting' electronic information. Keeping up with innovation in the light of speed of change and development. Volume of inappropriate s, being included on circulation which is totally unrelated to my area. Not always knowing the correct terms relating to the information I am searching for. Some papers- especially academic ones- will use words I am not familiar with. Over use of complicated language. Colleagues' use of rather than voice communication Colleagues failing to (a) name and file electronic files appropriately, (b) put proper filenames on documents, (c) share files fully (by using shared folders) and (d) do regular 'house- keeping' (deleting files no longer needed) Not enough shared knowledge and expertise

7 Key Findings Sources of information used Most used - internal documentation, statistics, professional literature Least used – institution's library People a frequently used source of information Assessment of skills Most confident in summarising information, file formats, managing electronic files and Least confident in legal issues, search skills, awareness of sources, managing paper files Biggest frustrations Poor quality information Volume of information, , lack of time "Other people"

8 Workshop Programme Needed to cater for diverse needs of university 'administrators' "Making Information Work for You: Skills and Strategies for the Information Age" 21 workshops training over 270 people from over 100 institutions April – July 2006 Free places offered Initial programme doubled due to demand Self-assessment a core part of the workshop

9 How did it go? High level of interest Workshops well received Especially relating to information overload and lack of knowledge sharing key issues Attendees welcomed time for reflection Familiar with thinking about their IT skills Resources for development popular Terminology Few attendees were familiar with any terms relating to these skills

10 Key Issues for Staff Development Skills gaps Few staff demonstrate the skills and confidence to use information to best advantage Defining i-Skills Confusion between IT and information skills Lack of recognition of importance i-Skills not adequately addressed in staff development Most current activity focuses on the academic needs of students i-Skills seen as a 'library thing' Lack of strategic framework for i-Skills development Fragmented provision & poor take-up Needs to be focused on the individual Leeds / Loughborough projects identified related 'gateways' to enhance i-Skills model Time management, networking and team building

11 The Self-Evaluation Tool Initially to be used as part of the workshop Then made available to institutions Potential to be tailored by institutions Individualised, reflective and developmental To be used individually and strategically Trialling Initial piloting Trialling during workshop programme Volunteers

12 Issues for the Self-Evaluation Meeting individual needs Varied use of information in different roles Needs to be usable, practical and relevant Priorities Whose priority? For job or for personal development? Everything is high priority! Self-rating Difficulty to rate a skill where little is known Institutional context

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Projects Development of online self-evaluation tool User testing event Netskills enhancing content Improved profiling / diagnostics Case studies Guides for managers Dissemination programme for staff development A series of workshops to help embed i-Skills in staff development processes within institutions 8 workshops around the UK

15 What Now? Self-evaluation tool Available Summer 2007 Future developments? Further refinement by job role Web 2.0 technologies AUA Continue to build links Annual conference Article in journal Perspectives Workshop programme "Staff Information Skills: Are you doing enough?" Ends May places still available!

16 References Netskills information skills projects JISC i-Skills publications pub_sissdocs.aspx AUA Perspectives article: H. Conroy, 2007, "Skills for the Information Age" Vol.11, No.1. e-Staff Development project case study (Select Project Outputs > Case Studies) Big Blue & Big Blue connect