i-learn

an independent learning framework at Glasgow Caledonian University

i-learn
an independent learning framework at the Glasgow Caledonian University
Policy and strategy for 
learning literacies 
I-Learn aims to develop independent learners by building on existing good practice to embed academic, information and digital literacy skills in the curriculum.
context
requires the engagement and collaboration of management, central services and academic departments. 
collaboration, sharing and partnership in knowledge development are implicit throughout the framework. 
how?
Ties in with institutional strategies:
Connects with a wide range of institutionally led projects and inititiatives
Scottish Information Literacy Project
http://www.gcal.ac.uk/ils/index.html
Moving Forward Project: enhancing progression through partnership
http://www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/movingforward/
Learning Teaching and Assessment Strategy http://www.gcal.ac.uk/quality/strategy/ltas.html
Quality Enhancement Strategy http://www.gcal.ac.uk/quality/strategy/index.html
CPD Policy and framework
http://www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/professional/GCUCPDPolicy2008.pdf 
REALWorld Employability http://www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/realworld/
An understanding of the need for a high level of ethical, social, cultural, environmental and wider professional conduct. 
literacies
critical understanding
Informed 
by current 
developments 
in the 
subject
An awareness of the 
provisional nature of 
knowledge, how 
knowledge is created, 
advanced and renewed, 
and the excitement of 
developing knowledge.
The ability to identify and
analyse problems and issues
and to formulate, evaluate 
and apply evidence based
solutions and arguments
An ability to
apply a systematic and critical assessment
of complex
problems 
and issues
An ability to deploy 
techniques of analysis 
and enquiry
Familiarity with
appropriate techniques
and skills, including
presentation and
communication skills
Originality and creativity in 
formulating, evaluating and 
applying evidence-based 
solutions and arguments
institutional audit
and
the way forward
initial focus on staff and undergraduate students 
A developmental model of pedagogical support derived from current evidence-based research on academic literacies. The ELS’ approach is also informed by the team’s ongoing research/scholarly activities in learning and teaching and widening participation. 
The tutor team work in collegiate and academic partnerships with colleagues across all the Schools to develop discipline-specific materials and participative workshops that help students develop critical understanding and appropriate application of academic skills and conventions. 
The ELS aims to help students understand the requirements of academic activity and to enable independent learning through the development of key academic skills: presenting information orally and in writing, critical thinking, referencing, maintaining structure and coherence and demonstrating critical analysis in essay, project and dissertation writing. These are taught and improved through a combination of individual and rolling programmes/series of workshops, individualised support, handouts, online guidelines and podcasts. The service has significantly developed such input with U/g, P/g and PhD students from across the university for several years. http://www.gcal.ac.uk/els/
academic literacies
information literacies
digital literacies
The library underpins many programmes with high quality resources. The subject librarians work with academic departments to embed these resources and information literacy skills into the curriculum, and they welcome inclusion on programme and module development groups. Collaborations may include in context workshops and seminars on themes such as basic inductions to systems, using databases, using Refworks to manage references, evaluating sources and search methods to fit with information needs. The librarians can also advise on digitising and linking to information within e-learning programmes. They will also prepare Base staff to support students with problem based learning enquiries. The librarians source and write learning materials and manage websites to support academics and students, for example, subject guides, subject and resource tutorials. The librarians also run one-to-one drop-in support and help with complex information needs for students, researchers and academics. http://www.gcal.ac.uk/library/
The ICT Skills Unit has researched and developed a range of learning and teaching solutions to ensure that students engage with and develop lifelong independent learning skills through the use of technology. These employ sound pedagogic methodologies developed in partnership with other academic institutions. Support is available through the ICT Skills web site, guides, drop-in and training sessions. Digital tools may include email; internet; Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Blackboard; accessibility software; web 2.0 tools; e-portfolios; statistical software tools; and devices such as mobile phones and i-Pods. The Spoken Word project also encourages lecturers and students to develop different ways of working with audio, and a series of case studies is being created to support this approach. The unit has access to content that is not available from other sources including full access to BBC archives. They are also developing the use of wikis and blogs to support teaching and learning as well as looking at the use of modern Web 2.0 technologies. http://www.gcal.ac.uk/student/ictskills/ and http://www.spokenword.ac.uk
ICT Skills & Spoken Word
library
effective learning services
pilot
studies
collegiate and holistic approach
improved communication
institutional transformation
Digital Libraries in the Classroom
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/dlitc.aspx
Glasgow Caledonian Shell partnership
http://www.slideshare.net/caledonianacademy/cal-shell-partnership-event-131108-presentation?type=powerpoint
background
academic development tutors
re-structuring
REAP (Re-Engineering Assessment Practice) project
http://www.reap.ac.uk/

Citscapes IT Literacy project
http://www.citscapes.ac.uk/
LEX (Learner Experiences of eLearning) project
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elp_lex.html
subject discipline approaches
institutional strengths
co-ordination
Lou McGill | Educational Consultant | http://www.loumcgill.co.uk
Prof. Allison Littlejohn | Director Caledonian Academy   Linda Creanor | Caledonian Academy   Jan Howden | Effective Learning Services
LLiDA (Learning Literacies for the Digital Age | http://www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/llida/