The Librarian as Lecturer:

Experiences on the other side of the fence

LILAC 2010

Josh Clark

Hugh Murphy

UCD Library, University College Dublin

Leabharlann UCDUCD Library

overview

what did we teach?

IS20090 Web 2.0 and Social Media: An Introduction

(Originally known as “etoys”)

introduced in academic year

2008-2009

repeated for 2009-2010

Genesis

Genesis

UCD Library as Innovator

Instant messagingSecond Life

UCD Library as Innovator

• UCD Library experimentation with Web 2.0 tools to enhance library services

• Many library staff involved in various projects over the years

• Staff knowledge of and familiarity with the tools

• Acknowledged by SILS

genesis of the course

• History of collaboration

• Cataloguing & classification courses already taught by librarian

• Second Life collaboration

• Head of School approached Library to design & teach a Web 2.0 module

genesis of the course

• New course created specifically with Library staff in mind

• Designed for 2nd & 3rd year UG students

• Initial course offered, Autumn 2008

• Recommenced with modifications, Autumn 2009

nature of the course

• An “elective” (implications!)

• Disparate student demographic

• Continual assessment and exam

• Designed to be interactive & hands-on (Web 2ish / non traditional)

course breakdown

week 1 – introduction

week 2 – social networks

week 3 – blogs

week 4 – RSS

week 5 – wikis

week 6 – podcasts

week 7 – virtual worlds

week 8 – online video

week 9 – productivity tools

week 10 – social impact

week 11 – future & the Semantic Web)

week 12 – final exam!

nature of the course

• “practice what we preach” - used Ning instead of traditional VLE

• Broad array of topics, broad staff involvement

• Solely administered by Library staff – “team approach”

wisdom of crowds…

assessment summary

• Assignments given at each class session

• Students completed assignments as blog postings

• Varying levels of interaction in each class (attendance & participation graded)

Horses for (SILS) courses…

• one to many• lecturer as teacher• tends towards

didactic• can be taught

almost anywhere• all students of

Information Science, etc

• some to some• lecturer as facilitator?• tends toward

immersive• has specific ICT

requirements• students from any

discipline, any level

More traditional Less traditional

…or same old song?

• Still trying to convey information!

• Still assessed via some sort of examination

• Arguably paradigm is not completely different

does it inform information literacy teaching?

• Different approach

• Gain greater knowledge of how students use Web 2.0 to conduct their research

• One enhances the other

does it inform information literacy teaching?

• Different approach

• Gain sympathy for academics

• Skill sets overlap

• One enhances the other

Information literacyWeb 2.0

tools

does it inform information literacy teaching?

librarians do it better?

• Contribution is mutually beneficial

• Librarians bring certain skills to the table

• Librarians develop certain skills

• practice makes perfect

Evaluation, or lessons learned

A serious challenge…!– developing new skills– administrative duties– answering (constant) student queries– marking– exams– course needs 360° support

Gain sympathy for academics

challenges: learning space

• Location not ideal for collaborative & practical learning

• Technical issues! (IT)

• Highlighted the need for innovative learning spaces on campus

challenges: administration!

Administration– One Library staff

administrator

– Involves many different, unfamiliar duties

– And…a myriad of other duties as well

other challenges

Assignments & Grading– Q: Work has to reflect Web

2.0 philosophy?

A: Sometimes!– Varying levels of marking

experience– 8 lecturers: consistency a

challenge

risks

• Administrative role: time-intensive and daunting

• Full-blown lecturer role not “traditionally” a librarian’s remit?

rewards

• Further recognition by School(s)

• Boosts Library profile

• Enhances IL skills – greater understanding of student needs & ways of gathering/interacting with information

• Pay?!

student feedback – the Good

“I found a lot of very interesting information in [the course readings] and I was often reading with my mouth wide open in amazement. I would not

have read the information about these topics myself, so I was happy to find such current information about the contemporary web and also social issues in

an university module... I will remember this module as one of the brightest experiences from all my academic life here at UCD. Thank you very

much.”

student feedback – the Good

“I would like to thank you and other lecturers for giving me a chance to learn about Web 2.0. It was not something I

would be able to learn back in Korea and it surely made a memorable experience in my exchange year here at UCD.”

conclusion

• A learning experience!

• LOTS of work & time

• A departure from IL teaching – more important to student?

• Librarian perspective on Web 2.0 tools – a beneficial aspect of the course

…and thanks also to the other members of the librarian lecturing team!

Caleb Derven – Systems Librarian

Ros Pan – Head of Electronic Strategy & Innovation

James Molloy – Assistant Librarian, Reader Services

Cathal MacCauley – former Head of Reader Services

Diarmuid Stokes – Liaison Librarian, Vet Medicine, etc.

Shane McLoughlin – SILS PhD candidate

THANKS!