Goodbye and good luck!

We say a sad farewell to Sally Wilkinson, currently Head of Learning Resources at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David … but also many congratulations as she takes up her new post with Cranfield University as Head of the Barrington Library at the Defence Academy. Sally has been a hardworking member of the WHELF Business Group for a number of years and will be very much missed by us all.

New Chair for Research Libraries UK – from Wales

Congratulations to Janet Peters who has been elected as Chair of the RLUK Board as of 30 March 2012.

Janet is Director of University Libraries and University Librarian at Cardiff University. She currently chairs the WHELF Business Group.

She succeeds Phil Sykes, who held the Chair of RLUK for two years since 2010, and who now steps down after completing a double term on the RLUK Board.

“I am delighted to pick up the reins as Chair of RLUK following on from the excellent work which Phil has achieved in the last couple of years, particularly in establishing a new strategy,” said Janet Peters, Director of University Libraries and University Librarian at Cardiff University.  “This has generated many strands of activity highly relevant to research libraries and their institutions today, which the Board will continue to pursue enthusiastically. For my term of office, I would like us also to consider our constitution and membership, our connectedness with our potential successors, and our communications with our membership at large.”

The outgoing Chair of RLUK, Phil Sykes, University Librarian at Liverpool University said, “It has been an enormous privilege to chair the Board of RLUK during a period in which it has demonstrated its ability to help its members work together to achieve more than they could individually. Our work in helping to end the cycle of unjustified journal price rises has been particularly successful and has demonstrated the enormous potential RLUK has to help shape the future of information provision. I think there is yet more potential for RLUK to harness the collective power of our libraries at a time when they are busier and more crucial to the work of their universities than they have ever been before, and I wish Janet well in her work as Chair.”

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/

Welsh Information Literacy Project moves to Coleg Llandrillo

After two very successful years at Cardiff University the project is moving to Coleg Llandrillo, who have had the third year of funding approved.

Their email address is wilp@llandrillo.ac.uk

Since the start of the project two years ago, we have achieved the following:

• Written an Information Literacy Framework.
• Created and piloted accredited units of learning in information literacy.
• Created and distributed postcards and leaflets to assist in the dissemination of our message.
• Created advocacy materials for the benefits of information literacy in schools.
• Conducted a benefits analysis of information literacy in the workplace.
• Formulated a response to the Welsh Government’s Digital Inclusion Framework and supported the delivery of the Digital Wales agenda objectives
• We have raised the profile of the project through our website, blog, Twitter account and through presenting at various conferences, for example LILAC 2011, CILIP Wales in May 2011, the annual SCONUL conference, Gregynog and the WBQ event in Jan 2012.

‘Find it, make it, use it, share it’

Education Minister Leighton Andrews has today (29 March) received the final report from the Digital Classroom Teaching Task and Finish Group which sets out how Welsh schools can deliver digital classrooms in a digital age.

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/wagreviews/digital/?lang=en

Led by Janet Hayward, currently headteacher at Cadoxton Primary School, the group considered what digital materials work in the classroom and how the Welsh Government can work towards all schools in Wales being able to deliver digitally.

The report makes a number of recommendations including the creation of a hub to enable learners and teachers to share best practice resources. The report also recommends the creation of a national digital collection of teaching and learning resources.

The Minister will now consider all of the recommendations set down in the report to see how technology in the classroom can be strengthened for the benefit of Wales’ learners.

Education Minister Leighton Andrews said:

“New technologies can offer new approaches to engage learners. Digital content, wireless access in classrooms, cloud computing and mobile handheld touch screen devices can revolutionise the way in which we communicate and share information with each other in the 21st Century.

“It’s not unreasonable for learners, parents and teachers to expect that the technology they use in their daily life can also be used in education. Across schools in Wales you will see an array of technology being used innovatively for learning and teaching.

“It is important that all learners and teachers have access to appropriate technology and can use it with confidence. We know there’s good practice out there, but as with many things in education, it’s important that schools learn and share the best ideas.

“I want Wales to a take a lead on digital inclusion and digital learning and this report shows us how we can achieve that goal.”

Chair of the Task and Finish Group Janet Hayward said:

“In Wales it is clear that there are some real pockets of outstanding practice in the use of technology to enhance learning outcomes.  We have a strong platform to build on.

“The recommendations do not provide a specific template of how a “digital classroom” should look. The recommendations provide more of a vision of how learners and teachers need to engage with and be supported in their use of technology and how we can develop and share world class content.  Hence the name of the report – Find it, make it, use it, share it – learning in digital Wales.

“We’re delighted to be able to present the Minister with our final report, it’s been a labour of love for the group. We are hugely optimistic that it will mark the beginning of a journey that will secure the best learning opportunities for Wales.”