VALA2022 Onsite Session 26 Cain

Creativity and cross-institutional collaboration in the DigiDex Community of Practice

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 26

Thursday 16 June 2022, 15:00 – 15:30

Kat Cain
  • Manager, Digital Literacy Programs
  • Deakin University Library, Geelong Waterfront
Karen Miller
  • Coordinator, Learning Success
  • Curtin University Library
Kristy Newton
  • Digital Literacies Coordinator
  • University of Wollongong Library

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s26

Read the paper and view the presentation recording here:

Abstract

Responding to industry need, the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) sector-wide approach to developing digital dexterity established a unique practitioner-led network and Community of Practice (CoP). This paper focuses on how a core-group (Digital Dexterity Champions) within the cross-institutional CoP has self-formed a flourishing learning culture that fosters creativity. We explore aspects underpinning the creative collaboration evident within the Champions culture. In sharing stories of creative library practice, we highlight the generative power of initiatives that nurture a sharing culture. We argue for the value of supporting cross-boundary spaces that enable individuals to work creatively together.

Biography

As a Digital Literacy Programs Manager, Kat Cain explores innovative digital teaching and learning initiatives for the Library division. Kat has a broad background in both academic and public library sectors but with an underpinning work focus on creativity, literacies, and learning. The other recurrent theme in Kat’s history is an interest in how technologies, people and learning weave together. Having been involved in Digital Dexterity work since 2018 has allowed Kat to bring all of these elements together.

Dr Karen Miller is the Learning Coordinator at Curtin University Library. Incorporating a ‘maker’ approach to learning and using both old and new technologies, she develops learning programs, interactive activities and resources designed to develop information literacy and digital dexterity. She helped establish the Curtin Library Makerspace and continues to play a role in its activities and development.

Kristy Newton is the Digital Literacies Coordinator at University of Wollongong (UOW) Library, and has a passion for supporting people to be autonomous, confident, and discerning in digital spaces. She works collaboratively with staff across the institution in the development of digital literacy support resources and services, as well as supporting UOW Library staff through a well-regarded Library Digital Dexterity program.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 17 Johnson

Exploring open-source discovery through a prototype project

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 17

Wednesday 15 June 2022, 15:50 – 16:20

Danielle Johnson
  • Manager, Digital Experience
  • Deakin University Library
Kathryn Martin
  • Manager, Digital Discoveries
  • Deakin University Library
Jane Miller
  • Director, Digital Libraries and Repositories
  • Deakin University Library

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Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

Abstract

This paper explores Deakin Library’s open-source discovery layer prototype project, including the initial drivers, project process, lessons learned, and outcomes. It discusses both technical and experience aspects of establishing our prototype open-source discovery platform. Most academic libraries use proprietary platforms to deliver search and access services. Deakin Library saw an opportunity to build a proof-of-concept open-source discovery layer platform as a way of exploring some of the opportunities, challenges and obstacles related to aggregating content within a single index, interface design and integration with other sources and systems.

Abstract

Danielle Johnson has worked in academic institutions since 2000. Her early library work life was spent coordinating a combined library reference/IT help desk and working with students teaching information literacy skills and digital library products and platforms, before transitioning into library website coordination. In 2008, she left libraries to practice the dark arts of university IT, spending seven years in various roles including website administrator, functional analyst, web development project manager, and service manager. During that time, she completed her Master’s degree in information and knowledge management. Now, as Manager Digital Experience Deakin University, she leads a cross-functional team engaged in UX research and testing, digital content management, experience design and front-end development, applications and integrations, digital project management and emerging technologies. Her team aims to provide consistent, high-quality, and scalable digital solutions for library users. In her role, she’s worked to establish a collaborative, end-to-end approach to identifying, designing and developing and managing experiences. Danielle is future-focussed, and actively seeks opportunities to deliver digital experiences that extend Deakin’s reputation as a driver of leading-edge innovation. At the same time, she has a keen eye on delivering practical, continuous improvement to today’s library experience challenges.

Kathryn Martin has worked in the academic library environment for many years in various capacities. She completed her Library Science degree in 1997, and later Prince2 and Agile project management certificate in 2009. She has worked in most areas of the library including the loans desk, acquisitions, cataloguing, reference, lead the I.L.M.S. team, managed the audio-visual department, and held her current position as manager of the Discovery Technologies team since 2014. Kathryn was chair of the Australasian Innovative User Group from 2011 – 2012. Her responsibilities include the maintenance and improvement of the discovery layer, configuration, problem analysis and resolution of library services platform issues, facilitation of integrations with these services and ensuring that system architecture enables a positive user experience for clients. She has also managed several large projects, including cataloguing of significant slide and pamphlet collections early in her career, and more recently transitioning the library to a new version of the I.L.M.S., assisting the I.T. department with deploying various significant technology updates to Library workstations and implementing various integrations with the library system. Kathryn has a client focus and a passion for innovation in this complex and ever-changing technology driven environment.

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VALA2022 Onsite Session 6 Wilson

On the fly: adapting existing digital tools to deliver safe student spaces on campus in uncertain times

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 6

Tuesday 14 June 2022, 15:55 – 16:25

Rachael Wilson
  • Digital Experience Librarian
  • Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2022 #s6

Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

Abstract

As Deakin Library readied to reopen after Lockdown 1.0, we needed to balance government and business directives to ensure we were managing capacity limits within our spaces and supporting contract tracing efforts, as well as meeting our responsibility to provide safe and connected study areas for both metropolitan and regional-based students who were entirely reliant on library study spaces and technology to continue with their studies. This paper steps through the processes undertaken at short notice to ensure a Book a Desk service was available for the beginning of Trimester Two 2020, and the project outcomes and lessons learned along the way.

Biography

Rachael is passionate about great content and digital experiences in her role as the Digital Experience Librarian at Deakin University Library. She leads a small team specialising in user experience and digital content management and strategy, as part of the larger Library DX (Digital Experience) team. In her role, Rachael collaborates with stakeholders across Deakin Library and beyond, striving to deliver great digital experiences across a range of online platforms, including their website presence, Deakin Genie (an intelligent assistant app) and Springshare suite.

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VALA2020 Session 16 Tyrell

Professional Literacy Suite – leveraging technology to scaffold digital literacy across a business degree

VALA2020 CONCURRENT SESSION 16
Thursday 13 February 2020, 1:45 – 2:15

Simone Tyrell
  • Librarian, Faculty of Business and Law Digital Literacy Programs
  • Deakin University
Leanne Ngo
  • Director, Teaching and Learning Innovations, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Deakin University
Michael Volkov
  • Associate Professor, Department of Marketing
  • Macquarie University
Micaela Spiers
  • Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Law
  • Deakin University
Kerrie Bridson
  • Associate Dean (Quality, Standards & Accreditation), Faculty of Business and Law
  • Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2020 #s38

Read the paper, view the video of the presentation on the VALAView channel and view the presentation slides here:

Abstract

The Professional Literacy Suite is a set of three embedded digital literacy modules developed to translate the University’s Graduate Learning Outcome of Digital Literacy and support employability. Created as a key Faculty of Business and Law initiative in collaboration with the Library, they are the first of their kind created at a course-wide level at Deakin University. The modules are interactive and media-rich, visually engaging, centred on strong learning design and scenario-based learning. Leveraging off the unique interactive and adaptive technologies of Tumult Hype and Smart Sparrow, their design enables the use of personalised learning, inbuilt analytics and large-scale implementation.

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VALA2020 Session 7 Mitchell

Providing students with the ‘WIL’ to live, work and succeed: creating a digital literacy learning module with a future-proof approach

VALA2020 CONCURRENT SESSION 7
Wednesday 12 February 2020, 11:25 – 11:55

Ellyse Mitchell
  • Liaison Librarian
  • Deakin University
Deirdrie Gregory
  • Liaison Librarian, Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2020 #s14

Read the paper, view the video of the presentation on the VALAView channel and view the presentation slides here:

Abstract

With the increasing rate of technological advances in the modern workforce, employers require digitally literate graduates. However, digital literacy is difficult to define, making it a challenge to create future-proof resources that resonate with students. This paper outlines the creation of an online module that aims to prepare students for their placements and beyond. Collaborating with work integrated learning (WIL) academic staff, Deakin University Librarians developed a module that moves away from traditional digital literacy, and redefines it in a real world context, to encourage future-thinking in students around the importance of digital literacy in the workplace

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VALA2020 Session 2 Johnson

Conversation-led Library Services: delivering the Library to students in the age of digital Assistants

VALA2020 CONCURRENT SESSION 2
Tuesday 11 February 2020, 11:25 – 11:55

Danielle Johnson
  • Manager Digital Experience
  • Deakin University Library
Steve White
  • Digital Solutions Manager
  • Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2020 #s3

Read the paper, view the video of the presentation on the VALAView channel and view the presentation slides here:

Abstract

DeakinGenie (“Genie”) is a smartphone-based digital assistant designed to provide personalised information and resources to guide undergraduate students through their study and life at Deakin via a voice/text controlled app. It uses artificial intelligence, natural language processing, integrations, development expertise and a program of content management to deliver point-of-need information to students via their mobile devices. It was launched to the Deakin University undergraduate student population in July 2018. This paper discusses the delivery of Deakin University Library services in Genie, including the pathways taken to ensure successful delivery of library services through the conversation-led approach.

 

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VALA2020 SC6 Cain

Transition, Transformation and Partnerships: Collaborating for student success

VALA2020 SC6
Wednesday 12 February 2020, 2:45 – 3:50

Kat Cain
  • Deakin University
Dr. Francesca Bussey
  • Deakin University
Naomi Nirupa David
  • Deakin University
Dr Natalie Robertson
  • Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2020 #sc6

Abstract

Transitioning into university can be challenging because success is predicated on the capacity to adapt – to a new culture, to new people and to critical new skills needed for academic achievement. This can be made more difficult still, where students have significant family and work commitments, and/or varied experiences of education. Where learning is predominantly online, the challenges can seem insurmountable.

A Transition and Transformation project team at Deakin are piloting a scaffolded series of digital interventions and corresponding pedagogies into the core curriculum of an early years Bachelor of Education course. The work is grounded in building a sense of connection and belonging in students, whilst simultaneously developing key literacies and threshold concepts so that they serve as learning opportunities, rather than roadblocks to understanding.

Drawing on longitudinal studies at the local and international level, interventions have focused on three distinct areas:

• Digital and academic literacies: Embedding practical skills to support assessment

• Threshold concepts: Unpacking difficult but crucial discipline-specific concepts

• Belonging: Building cohort cohesion and teacher presence through Cloud Practice and Cloud Conferences.

This course-wide approach is a complex long-term project with multiple stakeholders, technologies and outcome requirements. For deep learning outcomes to be possible, a holistic approach to intentional curriculum design is required. Core to the current and ongoing success of this pilot has been a collaborative six-way divisional partnership using the combined skills of academic developers, librarians, academics, learning advisors, learning designers, and digital developers. In addition to an expanded and integrated provision of academic resources, a community of practice has emerged from this project. Through merging relationships in different areas of expertise, the project team have experienced personal transformational learning as practitioners that has significantly developed their ability to design for students.

This session will explore the complexities of this collaborative approach, observed outcomes, and processes underpinning resource design.

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VALA2018 Session 18 Morey

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Rickie Morey
Rickie Morey

When you need to debate, make sure it is well planned: developing communication strategies through online roleplay

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 18
Thursday 15 February 2018, 14:45 – 15:15

Rickie Morey and Chris Rawson

Deakin University

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala2018 #s44

Abstract

This paper describes a case study of Deakin University Library’s role in creating an online roleplaying assessment in a first year unit of Environmental Sustainability. They are tasked with judging the quality and reliability of information, by participating in an activity reflecting real communication challenges in the sustainability field. Librarians and academics created an original assessment, using a uniquely developed online debating platform. The outcomes included improved student success and improved critical thinking. Based on a comparison of 2016 and 2017 unit success rates, this assessment was a successful collaboration between librarians and academics.

 

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VALA2016 Session 7 Chua

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Beyond library walls: supporting academic capacity building with digital technologies

VALA2016 CONCURRENT SESSION 7: Rethink IT
Wednesday 10 February 2016, 12:00 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2016-proceedings/vala2016-session-7-chua

Sharon Chua

Deakin University, Vic

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blog posts about this session: #vala16 #s18

Read the paper, view the video of the presentation on the VALA2016 GigTV channel and view the presentation slides here:

Abstract

The use of digital technology tools is one of the many ways to help academics meet student-learning needs. With diverse student cohorts and high enrolment numbers, there is also a challenge for library support to be inclusive, engaging and sustainable. Academics are often time poor and unaware of how these digital technologies can be used to contribute to their teaching. This paper is written from a business librarian’s perspective on how academics were supported in learning and utilising digital technologies. It consists of a critical reflection of the journey.

 

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