Library:Flexible Learning Support

From UBC Wiki
UBC Library Flexible Learning Services
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About
Flexible learning has become an official articulated goal for the future of teaching and learning at UBC. While UBC has recognized the importance of providing flexible education that focuses on logistical (e.g. Location, time, etc.) and pedagogical approaches (e.g. delivery, media of instruction, etc.) to teaching, UBC Library has already developed programs, services, and supports that address the needs of the flexible classroom for both faculty and students. To enhance the educational learning outcomes for students while offering greater access to resources and services, UBC Library provides students and faculty the following supports when developing flexible classroom environments.
Main Contact
website: http://www.library.ubc.ca/
Main phone: For any questions, please contact me at erin.fields@ubc.ca or 604-822-0977
Main Location
Address: 1958 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Building: Koerner Library

Digital Collections

ECollections

In 2011/12 UBC Library’s collection grew to over 6.5 million items. Of these collections, a core focus of the library was the growth of electronic collections that support the flexible learning activities of UBC by providing access to content anytime, anywhere with a valid CWL. UBC Library has online access to 1,400 databases, over 200,000 unique ejournals titles, and nearly 95,000 ebooks. As the flexible learning initiative continues to grow, UBC Library will continue to be a leader in the access and provision of resources that support student learning activities.

Digital Initiatives

A core goal of the Digital Initiatives Unit is partnering with faculty and researchers in the development of digitization projects to support teaching, research and learning. Projects include:

  • The development of collections in the broad areas of British Columbiana, materials which directly support the curriculum, Faculty and Student research output, the material record of the University, and those materials which are considered to be rare or unique. Examples include: BC Bibliography (http://bcbibliography.library.ubc.ca/); and the BC Historical Newspapers (http://historicalnewspapers.library.ubc.ca/)
  • Support for UBC faculty and student open access journals through the Open Journal System (OJS).
  • The archiving and maintenance of UBC published and unpublished content through cIRcle, UBC’s digital repository.

cIRcle

cIRcle, UBC Library’s open access digital repository, contains published and unpublished content created by the UBC community and its partners. Its aim is to showcase and preserve UBC’s unique intellectual output by making content freely available to anyone, anywhere via the web.

The repository supports flexible learning through the provision of openly accessible collections, including: Thesis and Non-theses graduate student research

Undergraduate student research

Faculty Research

  • Currently over 1,200 items

In addition to openly accessible content, cIRcle supports students as emerging scholars offering UBC students, with the approval from course instructors, the ability to ‘publish’ their work open access via cIRcle. In doing so, they can incidentally learn a great deal about copyright, author rights and licensing issues. Additionally, this assists students in developing a vested interest in their work as they prepare content to b openly available on the web. cIRcle encourages student provision of content through the Open Scholar Award, an award for graduate students to submit non-thesis research to cIRcle and have chance of winning a lottery award worth $500.

Discipline Specific Research Services and Instruction

The Right Support at the Right Time and Place


Flexible learning has been a core endeavor of UBC Library as the transition from print to digital resources and online learning continues at a rapid pace. To support the development of digitally literate students, UBC Library offers a variety of research support and instruction services that focuses on the skill sets necessary for students to solve information problems in an increasingly complex information abundant world.

  • UBC Library has worked to develop a library presence in the content management system (Connect) supporting a seamless experience for faculty and students accessing course reserves and research support content.
  • Librarians develop general and subject specific content to support student research and learning. These guides and tutorials provide the basis for developing knowledge and skills that support success in their coursework and beyond. This content is developed with the intent of providing access where the students need it the most. UBC Library promotes the development of content in UBC Wiki to allow for resources to be streamed into program portals, websites, and the CMS.
  • Subject librarians, in partnership with faculty, not only provide subject expertise that translates to comprehensive collections but also instructional support that addresses the disciplinary information and digital literacy competencies of students in particular programs of study. While many of these workshops are offered in class or lab, librarians support instruction in the digital classroom through the provision of workshops and tutorials using Collaborate virtual classroom software.
  • In addition to providing research support services through desk hours, phone, and email, subject librarians offer one-on-one consultation hours and chat (instant messaging) research help through AskAway, a consortial service partnering BC and Yukon post-secondary libraries.

Student Learning Services

The Chapman Learning Commons, located on the third floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, is a collaborative and innovative learning space that brings together learners of all types—students, faculty, staff & community members—making the most of technology to support and enhance learning and teaching at UBC. In addition to onsite support services, the Learning Commons website features student toolkits that share strategies to be a successful student, as well as resources on peer academic coaching and tutoring across campus. All content is shared under Creative Commons licensing, and has been developed to be seamlessly embeddable in Wordpress and Connect.

  • Student toolkits (e.g. Critical Thinking) contain videos, infographics, and questions to prepare students to reflect on their own practices and gain knowledge about new approaches to their learning activities.
  • Tutoring and coaching across campus can be accessed through the Learning Commons site, and is also available in the physical space of the Chapman Learning Commons.
  • Content on the site is created by students for students. Student employees of the Learning Commons create videos, blog posts, and share ideas via social media tools to help students make connections with learning resources outside of the classroom, and to make meaning of their university experience.

Information Technologies

Access to information resources is at the forefront UBC Library’s mission. With the growth of digital resources and the need to provide content where our students and faculty need it most, we have worked on providing access to library resources, including course reserve content, subject specific resources and supports, in the digital classroom environment.

  • UBC Library provides access to course reserve material directly through the course management system Connect.
  • UBC Library provides contextual library support services in Connect based on a user’s enrollment. This will provide access to subject specific contact information for library units and librarians, databases, guides, and tutorials for students.
  • UBC Library strives to provide seamless access to online library collections and services according to a user’s device (e.g. smart phone, laptop, tablet, etc.).
  • To ensure we are a technologically responsive environment, UBC Library reviews and adopts new technologies for guiding and assessing the library’s collections and services at the disciplinary, thematic, and course level.

Copyright Services

While instructor-student relationships can take many forms in flexible learning, Canadian copyright law focuses upon a more formalized role of students as they are enrolled in courses. The copyright services that are provided in this context include: Course-based initiatives limited to UBC students Scenarios include face-to-face, flipped classrooms, blended learning, online and distance education

  • Library licenses may apply depending on the intended use
  • Fair dealing and educational exceptions in the copyright act will apply

The Copyright Office can

  • Review course materials for copyright concerns
  • Obtain special permission for items not owned or licensed by the library

Open learning initiatives limited to UBC students outside of course instruction Scenarios include password-protected websites, shared readings and informal research groups

  • Library licenses may apply depending on the intended use
  • Fair dealing may apply but would need to be determined on a case-by-case basis

The Copyright Office can

  • Determine if the learning initiative is eligible for educational exceptions or Fair Dealing
  • Review materials for copyright concerns
  • Obtain special permission for items not owned or licensed by the library

Public learning initiatives based at UBC Scenarios include community-based learning initiatives and open education learning modules

  • Library licenses will only apply for UBC students, staff and instructors
  • Fair dealing will not apply

The Copyright Office can

  • Review materials for copyright concerns
  • Advise on seeking special permission for items
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