Removing the barriers: Removing the barriers: supporting students entering higher educationsupporting students entering higher education

Elaine BeanSenior Library Assistant

The LibraryNational University of Ireland, Maynooth

MaynoothCo Kildare

Ireland

Look at three groupsLook at three groups

We will look atWe will look at

Involvement started with their Library project Library Strategic Plan – Engaging with the community

Progressed to offering Information Literacy as a pilot

… This new library provides the opportunity for future information literacy initiatives both here in the school and in partnership with NUIM University Library.

School Library Mission Statement, Maynooth Post Primary School 2010

Secondary School – How it started

Secondary School - Barriers

• Different ways of learning

• Not coming in as independent learners

• Some don’t see a need to develop skills

• Levels of IT experience and library experience

• Peers

Information Literacy Offered to 2nd year students (13/14

years of age) and Leaving Certificate students (A Levels/final year before college)

Secondary School – our involvement

Students require the independent research skills and critical use of sources demonstrated in the presentations

Feedback from School

Especially valuable to 5th and 6th Year History students

Students who participated and teachers who observed were universally positive

Have been asked to continue

Now in 3rd year

Certificate Students &

Return to Learning students

Certificate courses:The courses are particularly designed for those without previous third level education and they are offered at Certificate and Diploma level.

Return to Learning:This foundation course is designed as a stepping stone for those who wish to return to study, but have not studied in any formal wayfor a number of years.

The course aims to familiarise people with the structure and requirements of third level education; to equip them with some of thenecessary skills required and help them identify the subjects orcourses that they may later wish to undertake.

Profile of the groups◦ Skills, formal education, background

Certificate students not on Campus ◦ Don’t have same level of support from library◦ Borrowing◦ Off-campus access◦ Only one visit – needs to be very specific

Tutors openness to electronic resources

Challenges

Return to Learning – Course Content

Module 1: Motivation and GoalsModule 2: Taking NotesModule 3: Writing SkillsModule 4: Reading SkillsModule 5: Library SkillsModule 6: Coping with ExaminationsModule 7: Introduction to Degree Subject

Views of student and tutors of Return to learning course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBrJ5WXEQzM

“The material is delivered in a very hands-on way enabling the students to gain immediate benefit. In addition, the fact that they attend in their class groups is a significant factor.

The way in which these students support each other in using the library and share information as to how to go about it maximises the impact of the information imparted by the library staff.

They also build relationships with the library staff and this makes them more likely to attend further library courses in the future or to seek assistance directly.

The introductory courses delivered by the library staff are an integral part of the Study Skills Modules in the Foundation Certificate”

Josephine Finn, Head of DepartmentDepartment of Adult and Community Education, NUI Maynooth, Co Kildare

Overcoming the barriersOvercoming the barriers

Quality Review of the Library 15 – 17 November 2010 Peer Review Report

Commendations ◦ LIST programme: a national exemplar

An impressive, innovative and well developed Library and Information Skills Training (LIST) information literacy programme much appreciated by undergraduates and postgraduates. The publication of an annual LIST programme is beneficial, helps promotion and take-up while the flexible nature of the programme ensures relevance to NUIM’s strategy of, and commitment to, lifelong learning.

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Short drop-in sessions

Fit in between lectures (10.15-10.45)

Training team

Broad range of topics – including non library topics

People can attend as often as they like

Continued throughout the year

Continually reviewing content

Success of LIST

Contributors to our LIST programme◦ Centre for Teaching and Learning◦ Access Office◦ Computer Centre◦ Adult Education◦ Career Development Centre

Relationships within the University

Partnership◦ Work with departments/faculties◦ Get teaching staff and tutors on board

Library Strategic Plan – Engaging with the community

Supplement personal training with online resources

Deliver what you offer Personal touch Evaluate the training on offer every semester◦ Offer what is required at the time

Offer rewards

Strategies

Students use the Library during pre-entry courses

Continuing to use the Library during the summer (before their

degree course starts)

They feel confident to ask questions/look for help

Confident and comfortable being referred to subject librarians

More open to attending training courses so they will further

develop skills and become independent learners

Feedback suggests we have!

Have we contributed in removing barriers?

Removing the barriers: Removing the barriers: supporting students entering higher educationsupporting students entering higher education

Thank you!Thank you!

Elaine BeanSenior Library Assistant

The LibraryNational University of Ireland, Maynooth

MaynoothCo Kildare

Ireland