Working together to move the profession forwards (Librarians and Learning Development)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi32.1470

Keywords:

Learning Development, academic librarians, integrated learner support

Abstract

What happens when you cannot get the buy-in from your colleagues and the workload is driving you mad? In this presentation we showed what we do to disrupt and rewrite the game. Using a fictional scenario, the wise three guided you through the trials and tribulations of embedded support for key academic skills. You were invited to share your experiences in advance of the conference so our agony aunts can come up with ideas and suggestions to help you succeed in your role.

 

Academic skills are most successful when embedded within the curriculum (Coulson et al., 2021; Wyatt, 2011). However, in our experience getting buy-in from academic staff and professional colleagues can be difficult. Engaging students with an active teaching approach can be even harder (Armellini et al., 2021; Hicks and Sinkinson, 2021). Using the model of Integrated Learner Support (ILS) developed at the University of Northampton for undergraduate support (Library and Learning Services, 2022), the workshop highlighted different approaches that can be used to navigate through difficulties, and offered potential solutions to collaborative working between Learning Developers and Academic Librarians.

Author Biographies

Kate Swinton, University of Northampton

Kate Swinton is a Learning Development tutor at the University of Northampton, She supports students across multiple subject areas including Social Work, Law and primary education. Her main research focus is on attainment, retention, and confidence building. She is a Fellow of the HEA and has a CeP. 

Lorraine-Marie James, University of Northampton

Lorraine-Marie James is an Academic Librarian at the University of Northampton, working with the art, design and media programmes. Her role includes supporting students and staff with their research, teaching information literacy, developing the collection, and liaising with academic teams. Lorraine-Marie has previously worked in the Library Service Development team at the University, with career experience in education, events, training and sales. She completed her BA in Illustration at the University of Northampton, and has completed her PGDip in Library and Information Studies with Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Lorraine-Marie is a member of CILIP and the ARLIS Early Careers Development Committee.

Gillian Siddall, University of Northampton

Gillian Siddall is an Academic Librarian at the University of Northampton. She supports students and staff on the Health Professional programmes to develop their information-literacy practice. Gillian is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a chartered member of CILIP. Gillian has been funded by the AHRC-RLUK Professional Practice Fellowship Scheme for research and academic libraries, to look at the transition of international students to UK postgraduate education. She is working with the Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) to look at Library, Information, and Knowledge practitioners’ experiences, skills, and confidence in taking part in research.

References

Armellini, A., Teixeira Antunes, V. and Howe, R. (2021) ‘Student Perspectives on Learning Experiences in a Higher Education Active Blended Learning Context’, TechTrends, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-021-00593-w.

Coulson, K., Loddick, A. and Rice, P. (2021). ‘Exploring the Impact of Learning Development on Student Engagement, Experience, and Learning’, [pp.?], in H. Huijser, M. Kek and F. F. Padró (eds.) Student Support Services. University Development and Administration. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3364-4_19-1.

Hicks, A. and Sinkinson, C. (2021) ‘Participation and presence: interrogating active learning’, Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 21(4), pp.749-771.

Library and Learning Services (2022) Integrated Learner Support, University of Northampton Learning and Teaching Enhancement [online]. Available from: https://mypad.northampton.ac.uk/lte/integrated-learner-support/ (Accessed 11/12/23).

Wyatt, L. G. (2011) ‘Nontraditional Student Engagement: Increasing Adult Student Success and Retention’, The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 59(1), 10-20, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07377363.2011.544977.

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Published

31-10-2024

How to Cite

Swinton, K., James, L.-M. and Siddall, G. (2024) “Working together to move the profession forwards (Librarians and Learning Development)”, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (32). doi: 10.47408/jldhe.vi32.1470.

Issue

No. 32 (2024): Special Edition, ALDinHE Conference Proceedings and Reflections

Section

Conference Proceedings

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