Library info online

Synopsis

Ron, Faculty Librarian for Education, has put together some online presentations to help anyone and everyone at USQ to develop their information literacy.

Description

Ron Pauley uses online Breeze presentations (audio-enhanced Powerpoints) to help students (and staff) with various tasks, eg, finding information, accessing library resources, using the library services effectively, internet searching and referencing.

Target audience

These presentations were originally designed to give students who couldn't attend library classes the skills they needed to make effective use of the information technology available to them. However, the presentations have proved to be useful to a variety of students both on and off-campus
By combining content with entertainment, essential information with tips and guidance with encouragement, and designing presentations with multiple audiences in mind, presentations can be used between courses, and even across faculties. 

Learning goals and objectives

The aim is to get students more engaged and get their attention with animations, screen captures, etc. One way of adding interest to what can be a dry subject is to give the presentation a fun theme – and Ron does this with "The Learning Journey," which is a movie-themed presentation, featuring Star Wars and Mission Impossible, among others.
The presentations also help to answer oft-repeated questions, because the visual element makes the information easier for students to understand and retain, and demonstrates things which can't easily be explained over the phone. They are designed to enable the students themselves to find and evaluate sources of information, rather than solely relying on links provided by the library.

Who did/does what

Although he wouldn't use the word about himself, Ron has been something of a trailblazer in this area, learning and picking up new techniques as he goes along.
He has also made use of the LRDS (Learning Resource Development and Support) recording studio and support to add musical backing and improve audio quality, enhancing the final product.  The encouraging feedback of staff and students has been key.

Results

Ron has found that the target audience for the presentations tends to change as things develop. For example, his presentation on APA referencing was originally requested by one lecturer and designed for a small group of students. Later, because of good feedback from staff and students, he put it into Breeze and expanded it, with involvement from LRDS. Now any student on any course can access it.

Problems and advice for others

Preparation is the key. Ron's experience has shown that a cohesive product results from planning ahead with headings, and visual effects (eg screen shots and animations) being synchronised to a scripted dialogue to emphasise points and draw attention to information.
Regular updating of examples is required; although editing single slides is relatively easy, audio editing can become complicated if music has been added.
Generally, Ron's advice would be – keep it simple, make it visually interesting, and use animations and voice to give it life!

General recommendations

Ron says that Breeze has transformed the way we present information and has improved the equity of access to diverse groups. However, sharing resources and disseminating them can be an issue and channels for these could be improved.