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Devolving Learning Resources. Kate Gardner Head of Library and Study Centres Worcester College of Technology. July 2005. Background. Worcester College of Technology Large mixed economy FE college Approx 12,000 FE students Approx 2,500 non LSC funded Students,
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Devolving Learning Resources Kate Gardner Head of Library and Study Centres Worcester College of Technology July 2005
Background • Worcester College of Technology • Large mixed economy FE college • Approx 12,000 FE students • Approx 2,500 non LSC funded Students, • Approx 800 14-16 year olds • Approx 1,000 HE Students.
History • 2002 • fairly conventional library • separate ‘Learning Centre’ • 65 computers • drop in purposes • 10 LR staff
Why Change ? • College - successful in many ways, but.. • The inspection report in 2000-01 cited • “ insufficient library provision” and poor retention and achievement in a number of curriculum areas. • New Principal’s view • Distributed curriculum based Study Centres, mixing IT, Teaching space, books and study space offered • best means of providing the support Students needed • increasing ILT use • improving ‘the library’
Fact Finding • Principal of S.E Essex College • COFHE mailbase • Somerset College of Arts and Technology
Reactions at WCT • Teaching staff • “That’ll be even less class contact for us” • Library staff • “Is there life without libraries ?” • Corporation • “And what’s this going to cost Principal? • Students • What’s it to do with students, anyway?
Planning • Meetings • Meetings • More Meetings • Policy Papers • Feasibility Studies • etc.
Study Centre Objectives • To improve the overall success rates of students • To provide an effective learning environment that meets a wide range of learning styles • To support innovatory teaching and learning strategies
New Centres • Language Centre • Existing prototype • Management and Professional Studies Centre • Easter 2004 • COVE Bid • Our show piece Centre
New Centres • September 2004 • Health • A Level • Music/Tech & Performing Arts • Science • November 2004 • Combined Study Centre • Biggest • Business, Hospitality Engineering and Construction
On the Books • Sept 2005 • Travel & Tourism • IT
Centre Use • Heavily Used • Timetabled use • Availability • Lecturer Supervision • Teaching Style • Drop-in Use • Monitored • SCAM
Centre Facilities • Computers • Workspace • Modern Classroom Facilities • Disability Equipment • Curriculum Specific facilities • Mock airplane • Drum kits • Oh yes, books!!
Students • Study Centre can be used by any student • Students generally prefer their curriculum area • Feel a sense of belonging • Gravitate towards
Staff • Centres • Senior Study Centre Assistant • Study Centre Assistant • Essential Skills Assistants • Central Team • Head of LSC’s • Deputy of LSC’s • Admin assistants • ILT support
Study Centre Staff Duties • Monitor Student drop-in attendance • Generate drop-in attendance reports • Information Literacy Training • Learning styles analysis • IT support • Traditional library services • Individual and group learner support • Curriculum liaison. • Materials creation on WebCT • First Aid
Achieving Study Centre Objectives? • To improve the overall success rates of students • To provide an effective learning environment that meets a wide range of learning styles • To support innovatory teaching and learning strategies
Group Task • Bearing in mind the Study Centre Objectives • pairs of delegates should discuss the staff development needs of Study Centre Support Staff
WCT Solution • Study Centre Staff • Selection • Subject background • Student focused • Lecturer Liaison • Training • C&G 9295 • ECDL • Modern Classroom • Disability Awareness • First Aid
WCT Solution (Cont.) • Staff Development / Meetings • Every Friday at 8.30-9.00 • All LR Staff • Senior Study Centre Assistants • Group meeting • at least once a month. • Emphasis on generic LR duties
WCT Solution (Cont.) • Teaching Staff • New modes of delivery • Increasing use of ILT • Interactive Whiteboards • VLE’s • Portal • e-repository
WCT Solution (Cont.) • Students • Learning Style Analysis (VARK) • Structured Support • Formal • Ad hoc • Group/Individual • Ownership
Lessons Learnt • Regular joint staff meetings • Staff Development • Getting the right staff • Liaison with • College Exec • Estates Team • IT Support • Teaching Staff • Corporate Identity
Turning back the Clock • Staffing • Phased implementation • Clear Lines of Responsibility • Use • less timetabled • more drop in. • More efficient use of computers • OMTS • Make LR responsible for calling them!
The Good Bits • Study Centre Staff • “Vibrant” • “lively” • “a variety of study environments” • “enjoy the involvement with students” • Students • “like them” • “value the staff”
The Good Bits • Teaching staff • “generally like working in them” • Ofsted • “ The good Study Centre facilities, Study Centres are well equipped with learning resources and busy”. • “There are sufficient computers …in Study Centres” • “Study Centres provide effective support”
Would we do it again? Yes!!!!