Gayle R.Y.C. Chan The University of Hong Kong Libraries Hong Kong, SAR, China 陈宇青

1. Enriching Students’ Learning Experience: Furthering Opportunities for Faculty-Librarian Collaboration 丰富学生学习体验：促进教员—馆员通力合作 Gayle R.Y.C. Chan The University of Hong Kong Libraries Hong Kong, SAR, China 陈宇青 香港大学图书馆馆藏发展部主管 International Conference on the Development of Subject Librarianship and Personal Librarianship. Beijing, China, October 14-16, 2008

2. Enriching Students’ Learning Experience: Furthering Opportunities for Faculty-Librarian Collaboration 丰富学生学习体验：促进教员—馆员通力合作 Purpose of study • Examine the changing needs, opportunities, benefits and challenges arising from institutional challenges • Faculty’s perception of the need to partner with librarians • Students’ perception of their need for librarian’s help and their knowledge of information resources • Use a model (an essay assignment) to investigate the needs and benefits of collaboration between the professor and librarian • Use findings to guide the desired level of librarian assistance

3. The University of Hong Kong was established in 1911 The University has grown not only in size but has reached a very high international standing Times Higher rated HKU 18th, up from 33rd at the international level. (World University Ranking 2007, THE) HKU – today香港大学 — 现状

4. 2011 – 100th Anniversary 2012 -- Introduction of 4-year University program A need for a physical expansion A need to revamp the teaching program Establishment of a Central Learning Commons HKU tomorrow香港大学 — 将来 A preview of the new Centennial campus www.asg-architects.com/.../planning_uhk_01.jpg

5. Campus of the 21st century21世纪的校园 • main campus expand by about one-third • accommodate 30% percent increase in student numbers (2700 an extra cohort) • leading edge teaching and research facilities A central learning commons 6000 sq. meters at its heart, with seating for more than 2000

6. Institutional challenges 制度上的挑战 • Introduction (foundation year) to the 3-year with the aims to “revitalize to offer students a rich learning experience.” • Implication of the shift to outcomes-based approaches to student learning • Implementation of a Common Core Curriculum to enable core generic competencies/skills • In the local context, HK students to make the transition from exam based approach to a more “open” approach.

7. Challenges within the learning commons 来自学习共享空间的挑战 • Student-centered learning spaces • Collaborative teaching and learning environment • Students, teachers and others interact • Vast array of the latest digital information and communication technologies • Faster and more efficient access to library resources • Subject librarians to contribute as a partner to enrich students’ learning experience • Target undergraduate students, especially in their first year, to achieve the core competencies

8. With expansion comes NEW challenges for the University Libraries 大学图书馆面临自身扩展而产生的的新的挑战 Enriching Students’ Learning Experience: Furthering Opportunities for Faculty-Librarian Collaboration 丰富学生学习体验：促进教员—馆员通力合作 Made simple: • How can librarians assist students to develop better in their studies and learning? • What options has the Library got to succeed in such a task?

9. Methodology方法 Devise a model (in this case, an essay assignment) to: investigate the needs and benefits of collaboration between the professor and librarian to enrich students’ broadening experience outside the classroom through a learning activity • www.bradfitzpatrick.com/stock_illustration/ca.. • http://www.professorfumblebee.com/store/html/8x10-Professor.html • http://weblogs.elearning.ubc.ca/googlescholar/librarian.gif

10. Teacher’s expectations 教师的期望 • Improve information seeking skills of their students • Identify appropriate resources for teaching needs • Pre-search guidance, make specialized resources known • Librarian as consultants to students beyond the classroom Enrich the student’s experience, raise their critical thinking through information searching skills

11. Teacher’s perception of the librarian教师对馆员的认知 • Today’s librarians are experts in the field of information retrieval, especially in the area of electronic resources • Librarian is in better position to perform a more focused search, as consultants to students • Challenge for a librarian to connect the right resources that will benefit the student

12. The study研究 A class of 250 students were assigned an essay topic viz.: “Human milk is best – the science behind it” Students were NOT given any specific guidelines by the teacher and were required to write an essay of about 1500 words A questionnaire was issued to each student to find out how they went about searching for the relevant information to write their essay.

13. Study on students‘ perceptions of information searching关于学生对信息查询认知的研究 Source: Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, OCLC, 2005

14. Selected comments from students to enhance future assignment 学生反馈 • The topic poses challenge for the non-science students • Need help to refine the topic • Need guidance on specific subject resources to consult • Want sample of a science essay to clarify the expectation and how to achieve good grade • Appreciate the freedom to search and like the “open” approach • Lesson/tutorial, voluntary rather than mandatory • Help needed to improve searching methods • “Teach them critical thinking“ • Understanding the "science behind it” concept was complicated

15. Findings on students’ information seeking habit学生网络搜索信息习惯的调查研究 • Library is not the first stop nor the most preferred • Library is NOT seen as the top choice for access to e-resources • Students increasingly rely on web resources as their top choice for access to digital resources • Use of library resources may not be well optimized (students are not relying on library resources) • Self-reliance in seeking and evaluation of trustworthiness of info—count on common sense and personal knowledge

16. 80% find it helpful if the teacher in collaboration with the subject librarian provide additional guidance (95% never seek assistance when using library resources) 47% of the students specifically noted difficulties in performing a focused search, despite 73% of the students deemed themselves as trained in searching skills Students’ perception of librarian assistance学生对馆员帮助的看法The questionnaire reveals: • http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/heard/images/librarian.jpg

17. What specifics? 有哪些细节问题？ • Students expressed the need for guidance in • Deciphering the relevancy, quality and quantity of search results • Defining technical or scientific terms encountered • Searching for appropriate resources after many unsuccessful attempts • guiding questions or search terms (being non-science students tackling a subject from a science perspective without adequate background)

18. Lessons learned 启示 • Students need guidance beyond the classroom • Work in collaboration with the faculty to come up with ideas together to address the concerns identified • Make unfamiliar and specialized resources known to optimize use of resources • Raise the awareness and value of library resources • Understand students’ preference, needs and learning outcomes to guide future collection development • Use survey feedback to guide the desired level of librarian assistance

19. To further collaboration with faculty/students…为了加强语与教员/学生的合作…… • Consultation with the professor is deemed necessary • mutual understanding and cooperation are critical to the success • librarians need the academic faculty and students to shape our roles • Within the learning commons, guide the amalgamation of teaching resources to fulfill program needs

20. Conclusion 结论 Do faculty, students and librarians view such collaboration as good return on investment? A resoundingyes!

21. Thank You Gayle Chan Head of Collection Development The University of Hong Kong Libraries e-mail : gryclibr@hkucc.hku.hk