WGIL Meeting Minutes - 9th February 2006
SCONUL Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL)
MEETING NOTES AND ACTION POINTS
MEETING NUMBER: 3
1. In attendance and apologies
In attendance: HJ (Chair); ST; JoP; WW; HH; JaP; PG; SW; VC .
Gill Needham to attend from 2.30pm
Jacqui Weetman was welcomed as the new representative from CILIP CSG.
Apologies : EB (CONARL)
2. Notes of WGIL Meeting number 2 – 15 th September, 2005
Accuracy: Item 5. To note change from Jacqui Wheatman to Jacqui Weetman.
Notes agreed as accurate.
3. Matters arising (not on the agenda)
3.1 MOSAIC Plus: JoP updated the meeting on OU developments including a re-working of the original MOSAIC module, potential re-naming and re-location of responsibility to OU Technology Faculty. Likely launch will be in September with one cohort planned per year. HH reported continued use of MOSAIC Plus at Reading which clearly Demonstrates the robust nature of the product overall. Agreed that a further pause before recommendations on MOSAIC Plus are made to EB is necessary.
3.2 Updating 7 Pillars (SW). Progress had been limited due to time constraints. This item has the potential to be incorporated into the position statement to be produced by the Group. ST suggested that additional support and comment might be available and that a brainstorm meeting might be useful. Agreed that an electronic discussion should be commenced with SW, ST, PG and other interested parties. SW informed the group that one of her postgraduate students is researching 7 Pillars in the context of e-learning and blended learning. SW to progress and ask for contributions from the Group via a small temporary email list to be created via the SCONUL secretariat.
By whom: SW Action No.: 03/01
3.3 SCONUL e-learning task and finish group . ST has had no input from this group. Noted it was being led by Sue Roberts. [post meeting note, conversation with Gill Needham showed that the Group was meeting soon. HJ to follow up with Sue Roberts.
3.4 Trident. HJ reported that the group had not met recently. TB contacted HJ to indicate a UCISA initiative was ongoing and HJ is to attend a meeting in Oxford on Monday 13 th February. [Post meeting note : meeting was cancelled]
3.5 Action Plan funding submissions. HJ to request from TB the status of this submission.
By whom: HJ Action No.: 03/02
3.6 Research. Noted that this topic needs to be on the agenda for the next meeting of WGIL.
By whom: Sec Action No.: 03/03
3.6 i-skills project. SW indicated that some activity was ongoing and that this needs to be followed (HJ contact Malcolm Batchelo) HJ also mentioned a JISC Study on Staff Development drivers (which had been presented at an earlier I-Skills meeting is now available as a full report. The report itself is not published but is available to anyone who cares to request it from JISC. HJ to circulate electronic copy to the Group.
By whom: HJ Action No.: 03/04
4. WGIL – Replacement of Secretary.
Noted that a replacement for LH's role of secretary for the Group was required. This overlaps with the issue of membership of the Working Group and length of service issue under consideration of EB. VC reported that the requirement from EB would be an analysis of the skills and knowledge requirement for the Group and that a call for new members would be sent out each year. This would also create a pool of willing people who had already expressed an interest in being part of SCONUL groups. The proposals are to go to EB within the next few weeks and outcomes are likely to be sent out to the Group later in the year. The issue of membership also led to JaP indicating she would need to stand down within the next year due to other commitments.
A general discussion of membership ensued. Agreed that Group should await paper from EB and then have new members coming along during 2006 with a probable need for three new members at that time. HJ also indicated that she was likely to step down during 2006 and that a Chair Designate would be useful for handover purposes.
WGIL thanked LH for her work for the Group.
5 ALT/UCISA/SCONUL Meeting 13 th February.
Covered during the Matters Arising
6. HEA/SCONUL literature review.
SW reported on progress. One issue was to try and create a model of the learning experience which was challenging but very useful work. HEA was approached in this context but indicated it was only at an early stage of development but a group was in existence with a “broad” remit. The eventual database created was unlikely to be huge but would contain validated and high quality materials. SW also mentioned that the BLOG she had created for this project does not yet have much material on it yet but would in the future. The BLOG address has previously been circulated to the Group.
7.CILIP CSG update:
JW reported on the progress for the conference to be held in Leeds during 2006. Papers were refereed and of high quality. Bookings are encouraging and increased on the conference last year. On the Tuesday of the Conference the new website will be launched including a number of new items such as case studies and comprehensive coverage of all sectors of the profession including commercial and private. There will also be a new peer reviewed journal available which will include all the conference papers. Also in discussion is a new staff development and training element
8. Review of IL in institutional learning and teaching strategies:
HJ reported on the EMAIL survey. 33 responses in all received. 26 reported involvement of which 24 via formal committees. 16 reported IL included in some way. Little change since 2003 overall was noted. HJ and JaP to check on respondents to see coherence with 2003. HJ to write up for SCONUL Newsletter.
By whom: HJ Action No.: 03/05
9.Contacts with CETL's. Report on first meeting of CILASS .
HJ summarised the purpose of the Centre that is centred around enquiry based / project based learning. The meeting mainly considered the overall approach and also the WGIL methodologies employed. SW noted that in this context Pam Bing would be a useful contact. Pam to be invited to a future meeting. Members reported on HH and other contacts which would be followed up via HH and WW.
By whom: HJ/WW Action No.: 03/06
By whom: Sec Action No.: 03/07
10. IL Website
ST updated the Group on the state of the website which is up to date with all the latest information received by Selena Lock. Noted that the site has now been restored to its original state, all functions were carrying on as before. ST noted the CILIP CSG developments including that ST and HJ would receive a complimentary pass to LILAC conference and also an invitation to the formal dinner at the event. ST reported on the discussions as to joint holdings on the two sites. ST raised some issues: EDUserve originally offered a national IL site but this seems to have been changed to represent only the CILIP CSG site. SCONUL branding appears on the site and therefore some representation / editorial control needs to be established with CILIP CSG / EDUserve. SW to put issue to next meeting.
By whom: SW Action No.: 03/08
HJ noted that the Group did need to support Selena Lock in maintaining and updating the site with new and updated information. JaP pointed out that this was a very useful way of promulgating information on IL within the HE sector. Noted that profiles of members to be routinely updated.
11. IL Action Plan : the position paper.
By whom: HJ Action No.: 03/09
HJ had provided an outline of the potential content of the position paper prior to the meeting which formed the basis of the discussion. LH outlined her view that perhaps what was required was a more general executive statement and use the rest as a checklist and action list for the future. PG felt that, as outlined, the piece of work would be huge and perhaps ongoing if we undertook this thoroughly. ST felt the position paper needed to be related to where IL stands in HE in the UK . For example this could be used to flag up international awareness of WGIL and the work ongoing in HE. The original position paper was approx. 4-6 pages and we could use this model for an executive summary which included the checklist of points / agenda for the subject / map of the “territory” / including references to relevant work in each area. This could also be used to ask for contributions from the sector and this could build up a series of coherent and high quality contributions which were built up over a period. Regarding the 7 pillars model, this should be included particularly as it had, over the past few years, proven itself in practice as a robust and useful reference tool.
Position paper would need to include:
- Initially to be considered as a paper document that might eventually transform into something else such as a WIKI.
- 7 Pillars model
- Work of the group and relevant outcomes of that work to date
- Key issue of how this does need to be taken forward collaboratively across a variety of sectors and groups, emphasising why IL is relevant to the learning and research experience.
- Agenda for future action aimed at the profession (but also need to consider academic staff, student support services, staff developers etc).
- Agenda for the action/subject: other sectors picking up IL; international dimensions; IL relevant to developments in HE; CETL's and L&T strategies; shift to learning outcomes; subject centres; digital learning environments; widening access and increasing participation and diversity; research skills; staff skills set – i-skills; IL as a curriculum area.
Agreed that ideas should be bounced across the Group via the Group list initially and then reduce to a smaller group of members to undertake the writing up. Agreed that this product should be useful and high quality. Funding was available in our proposed financial outline already sent to EB. It was noted this was awaiting approval but that the Group should assume this will be agreed until they hear otherwise. HJ to produce initial draft for comment. HJ 03/10
By whom: HJ Action No.: 03/10
Timescales: Draft text to be available by August for final reflection by the Group. Perhaps also aim to distribute at the SCONUL Autumn Conference which would be appropriate in terms of agreed the theme for the conference of Impact
12. Brisbane Conference on evidence based librarianship.
Gill was welcomed to the meeting. Gill rported on the Brisbane conference to the Group and had produced a quantity of information about the Conference which was distributed to the Group. Gill outlined the background to evidence based practice and the development of this conference series in this context from its origins in the Health Librarians sector. Noted that one of the weaknesses of the profession is use of research in practice and that evidence based practice was one way in which this should be taken forward. Andrew Booth has developed critical appraisal checklists for articles and papers which can be used in evidence based practice (called Cristal). Andrew has also developed another method to the critical appraisal of Information Literacy called Reliant. A number of the conference papers were highlighted including pure practitioner research. Gill also mentioned a new journal called Evidence based practice for libraries which she included in the pack of information for the group.
Group briefly discussed the evidence based approach and its high relevance to the Information Literacy environment. Group discussed how these critical evaluation methods could be promulgated locally in the sector. ST also mentioned that from the WG on Performance Measurement would be a recommendation for a series of pieces of work related to Impact and Value for Money. This would include an international gap analysis to enable SCONUL and its members to have a clear view on what might be required including the creation of additional instruments, if required, for Impact and VFM.
Group members were asked to consider this information to consider how it might be taken forward. To note for the agenda in May 2006.
By whom: Sec Action No.: 03/11
13. International Report
SW reported, noting the IFLA/UNESCO initiative with regard to registering resources. Co-ordinators, of which SW was one, will prepare a short report and undertake some interviews. Alexandria Proclamation noted, this was to raise the issue up the international agenda, and to connect with equality and empowerment aspirations. SW also mentioned ANZIIL, and that the new centre of activity was Judy Peacock at Queensland University of Technology. SW and colleague Bill Johnston had attended CAVAL conference to talk about their work, and will publish as a chapter.
14. Possible WGIL event in 2007
Item held over to next Group meeting.
By whom: Sec Action No.: 03/12
15. Any other business
There was no other business.
16. Date of next meeting : 4 th May 2006 Substantive item : IL for researchers,
By whom: Sec Action No.: 03/13
Noted that Date of July meeting changed to Thursday 20 th July instead of 28 th July,
The meeting closed at 3.30 pm.
Updated April 2006 by Selena Lock S.A.Lock@Cranfield.ac.uk.