This document provides context about information literacy at the UK Open University from the perspective of the Open University Library. It discusses the changing needs and expectations of students in an increasingly digital environment. It describes the skills encompassed by information literacy and initiatives undertaken by the library to reinforce and develop these skills in students, including through online learning objects and the Digilab space.

1. Tech-know-logy in Moodle-land, or why we still need to be serious about information literacy : a UK Open University Library perspective Anne Hewling Library and Learning Resources Centre The Open University 10 th December 2008

2. Context What is the Open University? Students Staff VLE/Moodle Library and Learning Resources Centre

3. All change? Students e.g.ELQ Learning needs Expectations IT skills

4. So, what IS information literacy in our context?? ‘ making a mark’ and ‘ making one’s mark’ (Nancy Kaplan, 1995)

5. What was/is information literacy? A skill set for accessing, reviewing and using information effectively includes: Searching Evaluating Choosing Manipulating Keeping-up-to-date etc.

6. (Why) are we bovvered? http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm The Internet is the world's largest library. It's just that all the books are on the floor. ~John Allen Paulos Information on the Internet is subject to the same rules and regulations as conversation at a bar. ~George Lundberg I calculated the total time that humans have waited for web pages to load. It cancels out all the productivity gains of the information age. Sometimes I think the web is a big plot to keep people like me away from normal society. ~Scott Adams

7. Wot’s in a wurd?

8. Revenge of the tools Moreover, because disability is a growing feature of every country’s population i.e. current running at an estimated to affect 10 percent to 20 percent. Furthermore, disabled student are among the early adopters of personal computes and they needs and acquired knowledge base on communications technology at as a catalyst to enhance accessibility development… At present the stated web-logs are not being used by any student with mild of server disability. (TMA quote, 2007)

9. Reprise: What was/is information literacy? A skill set for accessing, reviewing and using information effectively Leading to – integrating, taming and harnessing inanimate objects… Managing quality and quantity Keeping up to date in a time of information flood Finding information Dealing with information Evaluating information Ongoing phases: “ Elapsed” phases:

10. What are we doing? Safari Content available from OpenLearn under Creative Commons : http://labspace.open.ac.uk/

11. What are we doing? Reinforcement – to supplement Safari and Revision – to re-focus attention at critical points e.g. when doing assignment or project work Online at: http://digilab.open.ac.uk/testarea/mobileSafari/index.php mobileSafari

12. Mobile Safari - homepage

13. PROMPT Learning Object

14. PROMPT - inner page

15. The model

16. Learning Objects …in development Main menu Content entry

17. Learning Objects …in OU Moodle Uploading Positioning Presenting

18. Developing people Locally by unit or department – Learning and Teaching Librarians:

19. Developing people Associate Lecturers - PROWE (JISC project) Looked at the potential of social networking Web 2.0 tools to support CPD for part time distance tutors at OU and UoL Can doesn’t mean will Can doesn’t mean should Multiple pathways reassure Trying turns to doing Peer practices make a difference http:// www.prowe.ac.uk

20. Developing people Institution-wide initiatives Digilab … a creative space to inspire and support innovation in the development of pedagogically effective learning materials... Digilab is a showcase for tools, technologies and resources illustrating how today's technology can nurture tomorrow's learners … Used by course teams, faculty, and others involved in the design and delivery of learning

21. Digilab space and place

22. Digilab website and resources

23. Digilab Aims: raising awareness and confidence in using the technologies to be found in the Digilab considering the potential of using new technologies for delivering learning activities fostering teambuilding and interaction across development areas

24. Digilab Starting points “… PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE THIS WORK Digilab is about trying, exploring, taking risks etc. Digilab is about shifting the paradigm towards e-learning Embed enquiry and “why/how can I?” questions into all that happens in Digilab Provide new knowledge and inspiration by means of case studies Work/experience in Digilab should generate outputs that can become part of the Digilab resource – e.g. leaving video/audio clip calling cards about the Digilab experience and the change it has invoked Quality is important Avoid paper “ Doing” (even if not immediately successful) must be the focus of all resources/activities… Internal development report 25/1/2007

25. Digilab Activities Digiquests Digibytes Smartphones, learning and you Immersive worlds, learning and you Games, learning and you User generated content, learning and you Podcasting Video production Learning object evaluation on handheld devices Use of mobile blogging to gather user generated content in learning contexts Introduction to Second Life

26. Digilab Activities Integration – using tools to learn about tools Collaborative knowledge sharing to solve problems

29. A new initiative: iKnow – information skills in the workplace

30. Anne Hewling The Library and Learning Resources Centre The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA [email_address] www.open.ac.uk