27/09/97Training for Change1 Coming to an understanding: staff training and development in a multi-skilled team environment Richard Biddiscombe Information Services University of Birmingham UK

27/09/97Training for Change2 Outline u Convergence at the University of Birmingham u Developing the team structure u Skills and aptitude profiles u Developing staff in a converged team u Using the Web for mixed skills development

The University of Birmingham Model u Full convergence in one process u Five Divisions: –Planning & Administration –Information Computing and Systems –Collection Management –Public Services –Learning & Research Support

Learning & Research Support u Supports the Teaching, research and learning needs of the staff and students of the University, u at their workplace, in the Schools or in other locations, u through a combination formal and informal, individual- and group-based mechanisms, and u through a combination of discipline-based and functionally-based teams.

L&RS Remit u Pro-active liaison, advice and mission u Information skills and software training of academic staff and students u First line technical support for Schools u Multimedia and other courseware production u Academic publishing service

L&RS Structure u Subject-based teams: A&H, CASSEL, M&LS, S&E u Multi-skilled –Liaison Librarians; Computer Officers, Resources and Taining Advisors u Television team u Accommodation team u University Press

27/09/97Training for Change7 IS Staff training and development needs u All levels of staff u Creating an espirit de corps: skills awareness u Role of the Team Leader u Empowering individuals within a team u User support as the motivating factor u Project management to unify team

27/09/97Training for Change8 Training programmes u Information Assistants: staff training for support staff u Divisional seminars: special topics; awaydays u Team Leaders: workshop leading to development group u Custom built sessions: cooperation with Staff Development Unit u Conferences, workshops etc.

Case Study:Arts & Humanities Team u Computer Officers responsible for Arts IT u Resources Advisor and Trainer runs CAL projects u Liaison Librarians train, advise and promote services u Fully integrated into the academic structure u links with other subject teams u cross divisional working groups

27/09/97Training for Change10 Case Study: development issues in the A&H Team u new staff/established staff perceptions u defined user group/core service provision u IT demands/library liaison u team demands/other responsibilities

27/09/97Training for Change11 Case Study: staff development through a Web project u ArtsWeb: focused infrastructure; partnership with academic staff u Gives common purpose to a mixed team u Ideal tool for common understanding

ArtsWeb u Creates a focus for a subject-based information service –Liaison Librarian edits pages reflecting subject pages on the Web –Academic staff provide input and comments –Use of existing TLTP projects –Encouragement to academic staff to provide their own learning support packages

ArtsWeb u Brings together the skills of the whole team –The Resources Advisor & Trainer created ArtsWeb; trains new users –Computer Officers maintain the service; provide IT information for Faculty –Liaison Librarian provides resources information; edits “What's New” –Team Leader edits “What’s On”

ArtsWeb u Underlines the Teams role in teaching and learning support –Provides a current information service to the Faculty –Provides the basis for new learning support opportunities –Encourages the virtual presentation of the Faculty –Ensures continuing and innovative interaction between IS and the Faculty

27/09/97Training for Change15 Web Addresses u ArtsWeb – – –