Developing networked learner support in UK higher education

1
Developing networked learner support in UK higher
education

• Perspectives from the NetLinkS project
• Phil Levy, UK-Nordic Conference 1997

2
Overview

• Research background
• Networked learner support (NLS)
• Adapting to NLS
• which staff?
• which skills?
• routes to continuing professional development?
• the organisations task?
• Developing NLS an integrated view

3
RD background

• Conceptual framework
• NetLinkS project
• Focus groups
• Interviews
• CPD provision (action research)

4
A new educational space

• Transition towards virtual campus is clear
• network infrastructure increasingly exploited for
  resource-based, open distance learning
  research
• Needs opportunities
• to deliver high quality information support
  across the networks
• for information support staff to develop new
  educational role

5
Networked learner support

• Networked delivery of user education, information
  skills training, reference/enquiry assistance
• email - Web - text, video, audio conferencing
• Support for technical aspects of
  information/communication resource use
• Support for the information curriculum in
  networked learning

6
Networked learner support

• An educational role for information staff
  involving
• New partnerships between information, IT
  academic staff
• Cross-disciplinary skills hybrid roles
• Innovation and management of cultural change

7
Adapting to NLS which staff?

• Heterogeneous group of staff
• library/info specialists
• converged roles (IT/info hybrids)
• teaching/learning support staff
• academic staff
• Collaboration, co-ordination
• Role perceptions, cultural change

8
Adapting to NLS which skills?

• IT/network skills (grey areas...)
• Information discovery, evaluation, use
• Awareness skills in on-line education
• relevant networked technologies
• current initiatives good practice
• involvement in professional forums on educational
  matters

9
Adapting to NLS which skills?

• Awareness skills in on-line education
• awareness of local educational cultures
• how people learn on-line (learning needs, styles,
  pedagogic approaches)
• on-line communication skills (writing/speaking,
  diverse technologies)
• design of on-line learning materials, tutoring
• Team-work skills
• Promotional change management skills

10
Adapting to NLS CPD

• NetLinkS
• nls-forum discussion list
• Web site
• on-line course
• http//netways.shef.ac.uk/

11
Adapting to NLS the organisations task?

• Need for
• a strategic approach
• dependent on local circumstances/roles
• taking into account diverse CPD needs of a range
  of staff
• building on multi-disciplinary expertise
  interest
• adequately resourced

12
Developing NLS an integrated view

• NLS is about contributing to the development of a
  new radically converged educational
  environment information staff services are key
  stakeholders must be proactive in
  institution-wide, departmental and individual
  change
• The basis of strategies for organisational
  professional development must be an integrated
  view of the support needs of the networked
  learner, teacher, researcher

13
Cultural change

• Change is not just a matter of adopting different
  tools developing new skills, but
• a shared change in vision, between the
  learners, teachers, and support services as
  well. (Research respondent)
• Change strategies must address core attitudes
  assumptions underpinning professional roles
  relationships as well as technical expertise - a
  key challenge for national institutional change
  initiatives.