Since my last post on this blog a lot has happened - too much to even begin to blog about so instead I'll start with the new. I have a new job at the University of Edinburgh. The role is Student Information Points Manager and it involves setting up and managing accessible information points for students to access at various places. To start with they will be situated at the main library in George Square and at the Kings Buildings in JCMB and in the Library.
So I've changed the name of this blog to Managing Student Information Points. I wasnt sure whether to start a completely new blog or carry on but I decided that I wanted to keep the old stuff and I have enough different blogs going on anyhow so a reduction rather than an increase would be best.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Our busy LRC
Our Learning Resources Centre is busy - busy in a summer term way rather than an autumn term way.
We are always busy but our 'footfall' has gradually increased throughout the year and we now average over 1250 accesses a day. Tuesday is our most exciting day of the week as we have over 1500 entries (last Tuesday 1543) - that is a lot of students. These are not all unique users but the majority of them are and few are just passing through. By 9.30 this morning we had had 274 students accessing the space and 137 of our computers were in use.
The brilliant thing is that it is not chaotic. The autumn term can be chaotic especially when we we are doing induction sessions and there are lots of new students. This is where the management of the learning environment and the expertise of the staff is essential. Basically if you have a library or LRC which is just a space with books, computers, tables and chairs in it it will not be effective.
I'm not talking about rules here - I'm not a believer in the 'library rules' syndrome where lots of 'Dos and Do Nots' are displayed and followed to the letter and heaven forbid anyone who breaks a rule even if it is not working. But you do need a framework, a framework which you can flex and bend in order to provide the best service for students and staff. The difficult bit is finding a balance and being prepared to let it change and evolve. Students change throughout the year, they work differently - by the summer term they are more purposeful, they have assignments to complete and they know where and when they want to work. In the Autumn they need more guidance to find what they want and need.
Learning Resources Centres and Libraries take on the character and personalities of the students and staff that use them and the staff that manage and work in them and that is where we have a responsibility to ensure that it works.
We are always busy but our 'footfall' has gradually increased throughout the year and we now average over 1250 accesses a day. Tuesday is our most exciting day of the week as we have over 1500 entries (last Tuesday 1543) - that is a lot of students. These are not all unique users but the majority of them are and few are just passing through. By 9.30 this morning we had had 274 students accessing the space and 137 of our computers were in use.
The brilliant thing is that it is not chaotic. The autumn term can be chaotic especially when we we are doing induction sessions and there are lots of new students. This is where the management of the learning environment and the expertise of the staff is essential. Basically if you have a library or LRC which is just a space with books, computers, tables and chairs in it it will not be effective.
I'm not talking about rules here - I'm not a believer in the 'library rules' syndrome where lots of 'Dos and Do Nots' are displayed and followed to the letter and heaven forbid anyone who breaks a rule even if it is not working. But you do need a framework, a framework which you can flex and bend in order to provide the best service for students and staff. The difficult bit is finding a balance and being prepared to let it change and evolve. Students change throughout the year, they work differently - by the summer term they are more purposeful, they have assignments to complete and they know where and when they want to work. In the Autumn they need more guidance to find what they want and need.
Learning Resources Centres and Libraries take on the character and personalities of the students and staff that use them and the staff that manage and work in them and that is where we have a responsibility to ensure that it works.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Online collaborative environment - a definition?
We are continuing to use our online collaborative environment web conferencing platform for staff training and training staff to use it. One thing that we've not yet managed to do is define it. We are using an Adobe Connect customised solution called Mizaru - sometimes we refer to it by name i.e. Mizaru or Adobe Connect, sometimes we call it web conferencing, sometimes an online collaborative tool or platform or environment, sometimes a virtual classroom but we haven't settled on a definitive term. I don't know whether there is one? I tend to call it different things depending on the audience and depending how much experience they have of working or teaching or facilitating online. Ideally I would like to call it a 'real time online facilitated sharing collaborative learning environment' but that may be a little long winded......
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
LRC Text Enquiry Service
We've introduced our text enquiry service this week in the LRC. We have been using text messaging for a few years now across the College managed from our eLearning dept both through the VLE and through a web based interface. Tutors and lecturers use it with students on their courses and in the last year or so it has been used by the admin staff in teaching departments to contact students and also by our marketing department. We decided to introduce it as an additional and easy way for students to ask Learning Resources staff any questions or enquiries. It doesn't cost the student to text. The incoming texts are directed to our LRC Info email account and then processed from there. We have a rota so that staff each man the service for a couple of hours at a time.
It is working ok so far and we have had quite a few texts - most sensible, a few silly. The technical part has proved simple - it is ideal that it goes to the email account and then we reply as a text from there. i don't think it would work if the texts were being received and sent from a mobile phone - and we want to keep a record of the communication.
The part that we need to decide on is the protocol for different responses especially in the case of silly enquiries (we haven't had any 'bad' ones yet). We are formulating some standard responses.
I think it is a brilliant service - it's great to be able to offer a rapid response to student enquiries with a solution or with suggestions of how we can offer help and support in more detail.
It is working ok so far and we have had quite a few texts - most sensible, a few silly. The technical part has proved simple - it is ideal that it goes to the email account and then we reply as a text from there. i don't think it would work if the texts were being received and sent from a mobile phone - and we want to keep a record of the communication.
The part that we need to decide on is the protocol for different responses especially in the case of silly enquiries (we haven't had any 'bad' ones yet). We are formulating some standard responses.
I think it is a brilliant service - it's great to be able to offer a rapid response to student enquiries with a solution or with suggestions of how we can offer help and support in more detail.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Last Day of Term
I'm glad we've reached the end of term - it feels like an achievement. Today I tried to get all outstanding tasks done or at least sorted for two weeks as I don't intend to check my emails while I'm off.
We started the day with our department meeting. It's good to have an update and to let everyone know some of the new developments that are going to be introduced after Easter. These include changes to floor 2 including walk up bookings for computers and more roving and also a staff upskilling programme.
Then I went to a strategic issues briefing for managers by the principal and senior managers. This is quite a good idea and useful for updates on funding and financial information.
Other tasks were sorting out our web conferencing project, checking up on the situation regarding the transfer of data from Blackboard to SharePoint, chasing up outstanding technology equipment and lots of other bits and pieces.
I had a meeting with my line manager to let him know what's happening and what we've got planned. It's good to catch up.
Hopefully I've sent all the emails I need to and not left anything urgent outstanding.
I picked up some books ...... back in 2weeks :)
We started the day with our department meeting. It's good to have an update and to let everyone know some of the new developments that are going to be introduced after Easter. These include changes to floor 2 including walk up bookings for computers and more roving and also a staff upskilling programme.
Then I went to a strategic issues briefing for managers by the principal and senior managers. This is quite a good idea and useful for updates on funding and financial information.
Other tasks were sorting out our web conferencing project, checking up on the situation regarding the transfer of data from Blackboard to SharePoint, chasing up outstanding technology equipment and lots of other bits and pieces.
I had a meeting with my line manager to let him know what's happening and what we've got planned. It's good to catch up.
Hopefully I've sent all the emails I need to and not left anything urgent outstanding.
I picked up some books ...... back in 2weeks :)
Monday, 26 March 2012
and on a more cheery note...things to look forward to
1. Kindles - although we've had them for a few months now we have been loaning them to staff and students within the LRC just to see what they think. Although there has been some interest we have decided that we need to have a 'proper' pilot and promote their usage across the curriculum. We are starting from today and have four lecturers / tutors who are interested in using them with their students.
2. Electronic Course File to SharePoint - we are moving our electronic course file from the content collection on our VLE to our Intranet on SharePoint. Hopefully this will make it a bit easier to access for staff.
3. Online collaboration / virtual classroom - we are continuing to use Mizaru which is an Adobe Connect customised solution to train staff and a lot of this is part of our LSIS Leadership in Technology project. The next session is on Wednesday and it will include some more interactivity on the part of participants with them becoming presenters and hosts and running some of the session (hopefully)
4. Inductions - it's that time of year when we have to plan what we are going to do for inductions in September. Last year we had the 3D Induction experience plus interactive feedback - this year we are going to try and combine the successes of last year into an online experience. It's still at the early planning stages so will be interesting to see what we can and can't do. I also want to try and do something using Augmented Reality - a self directed familiarisation tour - don't know how yet but I'm sure it's a possibility.
5. Journals - it has been the dreaded J word for much of this year - some of our journals don't get used much but I'm not sure why, whether it's lack of demand or lack of awareness. We are going to promote them both the paperbased and the electronic formats.
6. Mobile App - our mobile app that we launched in January has been successful. The next phase with more fuctionality including a library app is planned for release in August.
2. Electronic Course File to SharePoint - we are moving our electronic course file from the content collection on our VLE to our Intranet on SharePoint. Hopefully this will make it a bit easier to access for staff.
3. Online collaboration / virtual classroom - we are continuing to use Mizaru which is an Adobe Connect customised solution to train staff and a lot of this is part of our LSIS Leadership in Technology project. The next session is on Wednesday and it will include some more interactivity on the part of participants with them becoming presenters and hosts and running some of the session (hopefully)
4. Inductions - it's that time of year when we have to plan what we are going to do for inductions in September. Last year we had the 3D Induction experience plus interactive feedback - this year we are going to try and combine the successes of last year into an online experience. It's still at the early planning stages so will be interesting to see what we can and can't do. I also want to try and do something using Augmented Reality - a self directed familiarisation tour - don't know how yet but I'm sure it's a possibility.
5. Journals - it has been the dreaded J word for much of this year - some of our journals don't get used much but I'm not sure why, whether it's lack of demand or lack of awareness. We are going to promote them both the paperbased and the electronic formats.
6. Mobile App - our mobile app that we launched in January has been successful. The next phase with more fuctionality including a library app is planned for release in August.
Friday, 23 March 2012
Murky windows and misty hills
It's not been a great week - in fact it's been one of those weeks which, while not being a disaster, has been disappointing. I wish it could be re-run but more positively with maybe a bit of luck.
I was off work at the beginning of the week with cold/flu/virus. I don't like missing work and especially this week. There was lots happening and we hosted a Blackboard FE Day on Wed which went really well but I missed it. Yesterday was the JISC RSC Northern E-learning awards at Durham Castle. It was a great evening although we didn't win anything which was slightly disappointing. I would have liked the team / dept to win because we do great stuff and need a bit of a lift at the moment. It was great that we were nominated though so I shouldn't grumble :)
Today has been a catch up. Sorting out the online web conferencing sessions for next week. Checking on how some alterations at Easter elsewhere in the College will affect us. Organizing our Kindle pilot project which is something exciting to look forward to.
At the moment I'm checking out one of the T and L PCs on the 3rd floor of the LRC - it won't log on....
It's home time but I'm gazing out of the window - the windows are a bit murky on the outside and the Cleveland hills are misty, I can't make out Roseberry Topping. This is how it feels as far as work /education /learning resources / technology etc. is at the moment - the near future is slightly unclear although everything is carrying on, just more difficult. The long term future, like those hills, is shrouded in mist - can't make it out at all - it's there somewhere though - hopefully.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I was off work at the beginning of the week with cold/flu/virus. I don't like missing work and especially this week. There was lots happening and we hosted a Blackboard FE Day on Wed which went really well but I missed it. Yesterday was the JISC RSC Northern E-learning awards at Durham Castle. It was a great evening although we didn't win anything which was slightly disappointing. I would have liked the team / dept to win because we do great stuff and need a bit of a lift at the moment. It was great that we were nominated though so I shouldn't grumble :)
Today has been a catch up. Sorting out the online web conferencing sessions for next week. Checking on how some alterations at Easter elsewhere in the College will affect us. Organizing our Kindle pilot project which is something exciting to look forward to.
At the moment I'm checking out one of the T and L PCs on the 3rd floor of the LRC - it won't log on....
It's home time but I'm gazing out of the window - the windows are a bit murky on the outside and the Cleveland hills are misty, I can't make out Roseberry Topping. This is how it feels as far as work /education /learning resources / technology etc. is at the moment - the near future is slightly unclear although everything is carrying on, just more difficult. The long term future, like those hills, is shrouded in mist - can't make it out at all - it's there somewhere though - hopefully.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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