FOLIO: Facilitated Online Learning as an Interactive Opportunity

 

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice: Delivering Services that Shine (EBLIP-Gloss)

 

What is EBLIP-Gloss?

'EBLIP-Gloss' is an online interactive course on evidence based library and information practice. It is being delivered by e-mail and web pages and is funded by the Strategic Health Authority Library Leads (SHALL). Anna Cantrell, an Information Specialist at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, is the Facilitator for this course. Course design and materials have been developed by a course team comprising: Andrew Booth (Programme Director), Anna Cantrell (Learning Resource Co-ordinator), Diana Papaioannou (Learning Resource Co-ordinator), and Anthea Sutton (Learning Resource Co-ordinator).

 

Why is it important?

Health library and information staff often find it difficult to make time to attend workshops and other continuing professional development events. At the same time developments in professional practice place a tremendous imperative for keeping up-to-date and acquiring additional skills. Such a situation is recognised by UK developments such as the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and by other networked learning opportunities. The FOLIO Programme aims to provide easy access to learning materials with the convenience of flexible timing and learning styles.

 

What is the course aim?

This course aims to equip information professionals with a working knowledge of evidence based library and information practice and to provide them with the confidence and knowledge required to introduce an evidence based approach into their daily practice.

 

What are the course objectives?

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

· Identify the drivers for EBLIP and its importance as a model for lifelong learning.

· Assess the opportunities for individual and service development offered by an evidence based approach.

· Describe the main stages of the EBLIP process and their application to day-to-day service delivery.

· Practise the key technical skills required for utilisation and application of the evidence in daily decision-making.

· Identify major priorities for the further development and take-up of the evidence based approach in library and information services.

· Engage with fellow participants in discussing issues connected with use of the evidence base.

 

What does the course involve?

The course will typically involve:

1. Receiving approximately twenty-five email communications (approximately 3-4 per week over eight working weeks) via the E-FOLIO Jiscmail discussion list at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/E-FOLIO.html.

2. Reading briefings & other materials (approximately one per week).

3. Working on individual tasks/exercises (approximately once a week for participants following the group supported-route and approximately twice a week for participants following the self-directed route).

4. For group-supported participants only: Interaction with a “buddy group” in connection with tasks/exercises (approximately once a week). 5. Compiling a portfolio recording the above for submission to the course team.

6. Completion of a course evaluation form at the end of the course.

 

The course will be certificated by SHALL and participants fulfilling these minimum requirements will therefore receive a certificate of attendance.

 

How long will the course take to complete?

For the production of a good portfolio, students should spend about 2-4 hours per week on the EBLIP-Gloss tasks and exercises.

 

Who is eligible to participate?

The course is open to pre-registered librarians providing services to NHS staff in the UK. No late applications accepted.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much does the course cost?

Costs for the course are being met by SHALL. The course is therefore free at the point of delivery.

 

What if I have to miss a few days due to holidays or work commitments?

It is possible to “catch up” within a two week extension automatically offered at the end of the course.

 

What if I work part-time?

Previous participants have found it possible to complete FOLIO courses even when working on a part-time basis. Part-time participants will particularly benefit from the two week extension offered at the end of each course.

 

Can I join part-way through the course?

Unfortunately due to issues concerning group dynamics, together with administrative arrangements, it is only possible to participate if you have pre-registered for the course. However we naturally hope that the course will be so successful that it will be repeated on a later occasion!

 

What if members of my buddy group do not participate?

Participants have committed themselves to the course. However, circumstances may make it impossible for a buddy to participate. During the EBLIP-Gloss course, participants are divided into small "buddy groups" of three or four people. Therefore if one of your buddies withdraws from the course (or two in the case of groups of four), it will still be possible to complete the tasks set. In the event of all the other of the members of your buddy group withdrawing from the course, the FOLIO course team will provide some alternative which will depend on the stage at which this occurs. For example during Weeks One and Two it may be possible to join “orphan” buddies from another group without disruption to the course. In Weeks Three and Four you might be paired with a member of the course team for completion of a specific task. In Weeks Five and Six you may be given an alternative version of the exercise that it is possible to complete on your own. At all times our primary concern will be your educational progress. If you have a problem related to your buddy group then email us at folio@sheffield.ac.uk with the message header “EBLIP-Gloss Buddy Group”.

 

What if I am unable to complete the course?

Send an email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk with the message header “EBLIP-Gloss Withdrawal”. If you no longer wish to receive the course materials you should also send the message “leave FOLIO” to jiscmail@jiscmail.ac.uk. However you are free to continue to “lurk” as long as you send your “Withdrawal” email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk. Please also let your buddy group know that you are withdrawing from the course.

 

NB. Please note that it may still be possible to be credited with completion of the course even if your portfolio is not quite complete. This will depend upon both the nature of your reason for non-completion and the extent of completion of the portfolio. The decision of the facilitator, to be made upon conclusion of the course, will be final.

 

What if a link in a course email does not work?

Some email systems will split links into two lines causing them to be broken. All you need to do is copy and paste the whole link into your Internet browser.

 

What if I have an unresolved query concerning the course?

You can send an email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk. Please include the phrase “EBLIP-Gloss” in your email subject heading. We shall endeavour to answer your query within 48 hours.

 

Useful references

For more information about using an evidence based approach in delivering effective services see the following references:

Booth,A. and Brice,A. (2004) Evidence-Based Practice for Information Professionals: A Handbook London: Facet Publishing. ISBN: 9781856044714

Connor,E. (2007) Evidence-based Librarianship: Case Studies and Active Learning Exercises Oxford: Chandos Publishing. ISBN: 1843342995

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice (Open Access Journal)

Libraries Using Evidence EBLIP Toolkit