Institute for Learning and Research Technology

1. Institute for Learning and Research Technology Grainne Conole and Kate Sharp

2. The RDN Virtual Training SuiteEmma Place, Grainne Conole and Kate Sharp

3. VTSRDN Virtual Training Suite Aims to: • Offer online subject-based training in “Internet information skills” • Enhance the value of the UK Resource Discovery Network (RDN) for the learning and teaching communities

4. Background • Project funding • Funded by JISC under their DNER programme • Follows on from the Electronic Libraries Programme - eLib • Total of 38 subject-based tutorials • 11 tutorials went live in July 2000 • 27 more due in May 2001

5. The RDN • The Resource Discovery Network • A network of subject-specific information gateways • Part of the JISC DNER • Subject areas are clustered around five ‘hubs’ • SOSIG - social science • BIOME - biomedical • EEVL - engineering • PSIgate - psychology • HUMBUL - humanities

6. VTS offers ... • The user education for the RDN: • Teaching materials • Free training • Learning materials

7. Let’s have a look ...

8. Standard structure • TOUR • DISCOVER • REVIEW • REFLECT

9. Learning objectives: Tour Aim: to offer Internet orientation for the subject area On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Distinguish between different types of resources available over the Internet • Identify some key Internet resources for their subject area • Compile a list of links to Internet sites of particular relevance to their work

10. Learning Objectives: Discover Aim: to teach Internet information seeking skills for the subject On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Explain the differences between Internet search tools (search engines, directories and subject gateways) • Identify key Internet search tools for the subject area • Find relevant information on the Internet (using effective search and browse techniques)

11. Learning Objectives: Review Aim: to teach the skills and knowledge needed for critical evaluation of Internet resources On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • State why information quality is an issue on the Internet • Identify information quality issues of particular relevance to the subject area • Critically evaluate the quality of Internet resources

12. Learning Objectives: Reflect Aim: to suggest practical ways of using Internet resources to support working practices On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Summarise the key Internet information skills they need • Incorporate Internet resources into their learning, teaching or research

13. Using VTS • The resource is designed to be • a flexible framework to support learning • adaptable to customise to the local context • The resources can be used as: • part of a presentation in a training session • a set assignments for students • a set of handouts • part of a practical exercise in a workshop • support for independent learning

14. Resources • Relevant sites • DNER • Distributed Network for Electronic Resources, www.jisc.ac.uk/dner • e-Lib • Electronic Libraries, www.jisc.ac.uk • JISC • Joint Information Systems Committee, www.jisc.ac.uk • RDN • Resource Discover Network, www.rdn.ac.uk • VTS • Virtual Training Suite, www.vts.rdn.ac.uk

15. Further information • Web site: http://www.ilrt.ac.uk/ • Email: emma.place@bristol.ac.uk • Project team • Central team • University of Bristol - Emma Place, Tracey Hooper, Paul Smith • Hub management • The tutorials are linked to the five national RDN hubs • Tutorial authors • 38 subject specialists have been commissioned to write the tutorials, based in Universities across the UK