Technology

CILN 2020 – Jane Secker ‘Moving online for Information Literacy teaching in the future’

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Dr Jane Secker is Learning Technology Librarian at the Centre for Learning Technology, based at the London School of Economics.

Jane was instrumental in the creation of the Information Literacy Group  

Information Literacy Skills enable us to engage in the world around us , to make informed decisions and develop informed views.

The five contexts of information literacy are:

We inhabit a world overloaded with information, how easy is it to identify what is real v fake news, how reliable is the source?, what about bias?  Currently within the COVID-19 pandemic there is confusion and mis-information  e.g. 2 metre rule is reduced to 1 metre but, where possible 2 metre social distancing is the preference.  Newspapers take the same piece of information and have different interpretations e.g. The Daily Mail – recent story reducing social distancing to 1 metre cuts risk of COVID-19 by 80%, The Guardian – cutting the distance from 2 metres to 1 metre might double the risk of catching COVID-19.

The 30th June is World Social Media day.  The UN is marking this date by launching a new campaign to tackle misinformation and fake news.  Pause – Take care before you share.  For more information follow this link.

So information literacy skills training is important – how do you deliver it online?  Timely obviously as library services have moved from the physical and face to face service deliver to online.  In order for the transition to work there needs to be access to online resources, technology can be challenging and frustrating, everyone has a different level of digital confidence and knowledge, engagement can be harder and as trainer you can not gauge your audiences enthusiasm or understanding.  As the lead you need to ensure you are familiar with the different online tools that are available and be confident in using them.

In order to deliver successful online training schedule more time for a 45 minute session allow an hour fro example.  This extra time allows for any problems in joining a session.  Think about ice-breakers for the group to get to know one another, quizzes to test knowledge.  If the session is a lengthy one build in breaks.  You could ask attendees to watch a video during a scheduled break as another activity.  Use interactive tools such as Mentimeter for polling/surveys, Jamboard or Padlet to capture thoughts and promote discussion.

For more information on the move to online training and points to consider go to https://fragmentsofamber.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/home-cooking-a-metaphor/

As Jane states -“Everyone should be taught to be information literate – it’s a fundamental of life”.

 

Home Thoughts

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coffee-1974841_1920Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

I have been working from home/working remotely/working in isolation for three weeks now.

In the beginning

I must admit to finding it much harder than I anticipated.  I have tried to maintain my usual work routine and hours and do attire properly (no sitting in PJs).  No more getting stuck in traffic jams.  Just a few steps and stairs and I am at my ‘workstation’.  I have a work supplied laptop which has all the functionality that I need.

home-office-336378_1920

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

I am getting better at taking breaks, at the start I was well I’ll just do that and reply to this and it is easy to be immersed and not know where the time has gone.  I am now trying to take a mid-morning break (as I would with my work colleagues) and am upholding our library team adherence to good coffee.  You do not realise how much you move around your workplace until you don’t!  I miss the library environment, my colleagues and interacting with many and varied users groups.

I have not always been taking my full lunch break, but have made a conscious effort to get outside and enjoy the sunshine as part of my break.  Initially I was going for a short walk over lunch.  I find it of greater benefit to go in the evening once the working day has finished.  Much easier now and of greater enjoyment since the clocks went forward.

Technology has presented some obstacles which have largely been overcome now.  I have the internet (which I know not everyone does) and although I was telling myself if won’t be the same as the work internet I did initially experience some frustration at the connection.

We have all had to embrace new methods of working, had to figure out new products with everything seemingly changing constantly.  I do now feel that things have settled down.

I am working in a communal space, where others around me are not working.  Comprise is needed by everyone.  I am getting into a rhythm, I am not sure I am fully there (yet).

Now

Days are punctuated by web meetings with my work colleagues.  I see all the team virtually over the course of a week.  Answering emails, responding to queries.  Working on eresources provision are some of the tasks taking my time and there is still plenty to do.  New systems to learn, online training, documentation to write for example.

I am adapting to my new work environment.

The Future

No-one has any idea of how long lockdown and remote working will continue.  The inventiveness and creativity of the human species is to be applauded.  Virtual pub meets, online museum tours, access to music, books and film we have not had previously.   I think I can say with some certainty that post COVID-19 the word will be a different place.  Things will not return to exactly how they were prior to self-isolation, travel restrictions and lockdown.  I will be using technology more to attend meetings where I can, as opposed to traveling them. More services could be delivered remotely potentially providing greater access to our library community.

My local environment is better without the traffic, quieter to.  I notice more and varied bird song and have seen a hedgehog in the garden.  I am becoming acquainted with more of the people living locally and finding new paths to walk, by taking a turn here to see ‘Where this track leads’  I am discovering more connections.

This pandemic has forced us all to change our lifestyles and adopt a slower, more considered pace.  Whilst these are difficult times, hard to be separated from our family, friends, colleagues and living a life with restrictions there are some good lessons to be learned.

magnolia-trees-556718_1920Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay