Fit for the future: New ways to support students at a distance Josephine Burt Library Services Business Development Manager ‘Future technology now’ 5th annual SLIC Conference for Further Education library and information staff in Scotland
Contents The Open University –OU in Scotland Library Services –What we offer students Challenges for the future Stuff you might use
Context - The Open University 13 regional centres Single module, certificate, diplomas, awards, PG, research Materials - paper- based, blended and online learning Europe and worldwide 500 modules, 200 quals Supported open learning
Open University students OU students no previous qualifications required 180,000 undergraduate students 30,000 postgraduate students 10,000 students have disabilities 30,000 students live outside UK Part-time study –70% of undergraduates in full-time employment –50% sponsored by employer 2,000,000 OU alumni
Multichannel content
Headcount 1 – – 86 Based upon Ordnance Survey BoundaryLine ® data © Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number ssssss ssssss ssssss ss The OU in Scotland Campus 2006/7 students by postcode district
The OU in Scotland 4 in 10 - part-time undergraduates taught by OU 15,000 OU students - live in virtually every community across Scotland 1 in participation rate for adults in Shetland - studying with the OU 1 in 5 - OU’s new undergraduate students in Scotland come from the college sector, building on their higher national qualifications to gain a degree Working with Colleges –Progression – College routesCollege routes –15 colleges
Online Library Services 2009/10 98,000 unique student visitors to the Library website database usage 1,600,000 searches = 20% rise 6m website page requests
Our priorities are to Provide a variety of excellent learning resources to enhance the student’s learning experience Ensure that all our students develop the skills they need for work and study in the knowledge society
Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor of the Open University Naomi Sargant Memorial Lecture, 2010
Services for students E-resources and IL skills embedded in courses (inc. InfoRate and Safari) One stop search Helpdesk support SCONUL Access to other academic libraries Accessibility support Induction via Elluminate
Where do I start?
Library Resources on module websites Library resources embedded into VLE
Mobile OU Library website – v1 (developed in early 2007)
Information Literacy Recognised as key skill Levels framework Faculty strategies Digital literacies E-meeting software sessions for students and staff
Diagnostic quizzes
Programmes and materials to help staff develop their knowledge and skills
Library Information Literacy
Our challenges 1 Students of the future Social networking age New technology and applications Information overload – More new information has been produced in the last 30 years than in the 5,000 years before that
Our challenges 2 Improving the student experience Supporting Digital Literacy Improving search even more Students helping themselves Taking Library Services where the students want to be
Our challenges 3 Giving the service and support flexibly Information management policies Change management Being flexible
Resources for you and your students Safari How to …How to guides Referencing and citation infoReferencing Plagiarism iKnow
Resources for you and your students Open research online
Openlearn Find information in …
Openlearn in Scotland
Services to partner institutions website
Finally something for you! The evolving information professional –Helps keep you up to date –Short 30 hour course –Flexible, 1 -2 hour elements –Online –10% discount for CILIP members
Thank you! Contact Josephine Burt, Business Development Manager – –tel: