International Conference on Libraries 2012 Kota Bharu 2-4 July 2012
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Transcript of International Conference on Libraries 2012 Kota Bharu 2-4 July 2012
International Conference on Libraries 2012Kota Bharu
2-4 July 2012
Revamping GXEX1401 Nor Edzan Che Nasir
University of Malaya
In 1998, the University of Malaya made it compulsory for all undergraduates to sign up for the Information Skills Course or the GXEX1401. This is a one-credit hour 14 weeks compulsory university course for all undergraduates and the Library was entrusted to run the course. GXEX 1401 has been running for 13 years and throughout this duration, the course had changed considerably both in contents and delivery method. This paper will look at the development of the course since its inception and how the Library plays a significant role in inculcating lifelong learning to the students.
ABSTRACT
OUTLINEIntroductionThenNowOutcomesWhat then?Conclusion
INTRODUCTIONGXEX 1401 = Information skills courseStudents = OPAC class, Library class etcStarted in 1998Why - Different levels of IL skills: rural-urban,
info rich-info poor, have-have notsCompulsory for undergraduatesMust pass1-credit hour1 hour lecture per week for 14 weeks1st year
INTRODUCTION1st semester = arts-based faculties2nd semester = science-based facultiesSeparate for Law, Medicine and DentistryLibrary responsible for the entire courseDesigned to fulfill
“information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information” ~ ALA, 1989.
INTRODUCTIONLibrary does what a faculty does when offering
a courseCourse proformaCourse informationLecture notesExercisesQuizExam questionsVarious course committeesMeets MQA course accreditation
requirements (COPIA=Code of Practice for Institutional Accreditation)
INTRODUCTIONFacilitators = librarians
Over and above the duty assigned by their division
HonorariumMeet students during or after office hoursMarks exercises and assignments in-between
jobs and after office hoursResponsible for their own class – input marks
into the online system, attendance, mentoringRun courses for facilitators
THENLab with minimal PCs – students shareTaught using powerpoint slidesPrinted guidebooksPrinted exercisesHands-on via PCsNo honorarium
NOWLab with 80 PCs with 1 PC per studentModify course contents
Abundance of electronic resources in the Library
Presence of Web 2.0 applicationsMode of delivery
Blended learningWeb-based learning management system =
SpectrumFacilitators = face-to-face instructor-led
NOWLocal and international students = need to
teach in EnglishSpecial division
Information Skills Division1 Head assisted by 4 librariansManage the GXEX1401 courseManage similar optional information skills
sessions for postgraduates
OUTCOMESEnd of 2010/2011 academic session = 66,155
graduands have gone through the courseAble to apply skills in their day-to-day activitiesLifelong learning
Librarians who are facilitators = acquire teaching and communication skills
Course = benchmarked by other universitiesRun workshopsWrote papers for journals and conferencesLess queries at the Reference Desk
WHAT THEN?Academicians – do they integrate the
information skills in their courses?Undergraduates – do they apply the skills
they have acquired?Librarians – have they studied the
effectiveness of the course?
OUR DIRECTIONWill continue running the courseWill continue to review and improve the
course in terms of DeliveryContents
Will continue training facilitators aka librarians = changing role of librarians
Will continue to position librarians as intermediaries in the information cycle
THANK [email protected]