Leeds University Library

Implementing an information literacy audit in the School of Healthcare, Leeds University

Alison Lahlafi, Faculty Team Librarian (Health Team)

David Clarke, Lecturer, School of Healthcare

Leeds University Library

Session content

Background to the Information Literacy (IL) Audit Audit aims and methodology Audit findings and recommendations Audit follow-up – what’s happened so far? What’s next?

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Background to the IL Audit (1)

IL aims to equip students with the skills to become independent seekers and discerning users of information in their studies

Development of skills which are transferable to the workplace

Current context of evidence based practice in Healthcare

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Background to the IL Audit (2)

2004 Library IL Strategy Paper accepted by School of Healthcare Learning and Teaching

Committee (SLTC)

School of Healthcare IL Strategy Implementation Group set up (Library &

School staff)

December 2004 SLTC agreed an audit of current IL skills training & support

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Why an IL Audit?

“widespread underestimation by students and some academic staff of the (IL) skills needed…” (JISC, 2004)

Big, complex School - 34 programmes, 360+ modules Lots of IL training going on – School and Library – need

to test assumptions…– Follow-up from initial big IL related modules?– Progression through programmes?– 2nd year refresher training?– Needs of taught postgraduates, Continuing Professional

Development (CPD) etc.

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IL Audit Aims

1. To review current level of integration of IL within the educational programmes offered by the School

2. To provide an overview of whether and how these educational programmes provide opportunities for students to develop key IL skills necessary for life long learning in a knowledge driven, evidence based environment.

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Focus of the audit

Questionnaire for 34 Programme Managers 16 skills - based on IL standards developed by the library,

healthcare focus (see handout) Map skills development across programmes – form for

each year Who provides the training – School or Library Highlight key modules where IL is embedded Highlight good practice Survey use of Nathan Bodington (VLE)

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Audit Analysis

Feb/March 2005 audit sent out Good response rate- 85%

Analysis by Programme Groups Data reports

– IL skills delivered by School / Library– IL skills broken down by year of

programme Comments from student evaluation forms

added in

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Reporting audit findings Full report available on School

Intranet Summary report & recommendations

for SLTC- Policy making group for the school

– Recommendations common to all 4 Programme Groups

– Recommendations specific to individual Programme Groups

Full discussion at Programme Groups – Autumn 2005 to develop detailed action plans and effect change

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Some key conclusions

Number of well developed compulsory core modules for development of IL skills in the first year (Advanced Diploma / Undergraduate)

Well developed library based project / dissertation / research skills modules for level 3 and postgraduates

Little linkage of IL skills to other modules outside these core research modules

Some lack of clarity / mismatch over delivery of IL skills and content of core IL modules

Some areas for further development of IL skills identified

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Key recommendations

Redraw transferable skills grids in Module handbooks to include IL skills

Include more IL information in Study Skills Handbook & Module handbooks

Increase IL resources promotion via Nathan Bodington

Number of recommendations specific to individual programmes

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Examples of Programme recommendations Advanced Diploma Increase hands-on IL skills training (year1) Precede first year Medline tutorial sessions with

presentation to put tutorial into context Introduce subject heading database skills in 2nd year Basic student IL skills audit year 2 & 3 Link IL skills to modules across each year Plan to introduce assessment of student IL skills 09-06

Similar approach to undergraduate/CPD and Post Graduate programmes

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Progress to date2004 Library IL Strategy Paper accepted by School of Healthcare Learning and Teaching Committee

(SLTC)

School of Healthcare IL Strategy Implementation Group set up (Library & School staff)

December 2004 SLTC agreed an audit of current IL skills training & support

March 2005 Audit of ProgrammesPilot training programmes based on recommendations

September 2005 Basic student skills auditTargeted training by programme groups including CPD, Post Grad and PhD students

September 2006 Inclusion of IL skills development activities across modulesFormal student skills assessment (Link with Institute of Psychological Sciences)

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Conclusions

Audit findings analysis is very time consuming, but proved worthwhile

Very useful in mapping out where IL skills are delivered across programmes, and identifying some areas for further development

IL Audit raised awareness of IL skills development issues across the School – strength in partnership between Library and School

Identified need for staff development to support IL in the curriculum