FOLIO: Facilitated Online Learning as an Interactive Opportunity

Designing and delivering information skills training (InfoSkills)

What is InfoSkills?

InfoSkills is an online interactive course on designing and delivering information skills training. It is being delivered by e-mail and web pages and is funded by the Strategic Health Authority Library Leads (SHALL). Anthea Sutton, an Information Specialist at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, is the Facilitator for this course. Course design and materials have been developed by a course team comprising: Andrew Booth, Anna Cantrell and Anthea Sutton.

Why is it important?

Health library and information staff often find it difficult to make time to attend workshops and other continuing professional development events. At the same time developments in professional practice place a tremendous imperative for keeping up-to-date and acquiring additional skills. The FOLIO Programme aims to provide easy access to learning materials with the convenience of flexible timing and learning styles.

What is the course aim?

This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to design and deliver successful information skills training courses

What are the course objectives?

By the end of this course participants will be able to: 

• Understand and define the concepts of ‘information skills’ and 'information literacy'.
• Assess and evaluate training needs.
• Develop aims, objectives and learning outcomes.
• Promote information skills training courses.
• Deliver information skills training courses.
• Evaluate information skills training courses.
• Engage with fellow course participants in discussing issues arising from information skills training.

What does the course involve?

The course will typically involve:

1. Receiving approximately twenty-five email communications (approximately 3-4 per week over eight working weeks) via the FOLIO Jiscmail discussion list at: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=folio

2. Reading briefings & other materials (approximately one per week).

3. Working on individual tasks/exercises (approximately once a week for participants following the group supported-route and approximately twice a week for participants following the self-directed route).

4. For group-supported participants only: Interaction with a “buddy group” in connection with tasks/exercises (approximately once a week).

5. Compiling a portfolio recording the above for submission to the course team.

6. Completion of a course evaluation form at the end of the course.

The course will be certificated by SHALL and participants fulfilling these minimum requirements will therefore receive a certificate of attendance.

How long will the course take to complete?

For the production of a good portfolio, students should spend about 2-4 hours per week on the InfoSkills tasks and exercises.

Who is eligible to participate?

The course is open to pre-registered library and information staff working in the UK NHS. No late applications accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the course cost?

Costs for the course are being met by SHALL. The course is therefore free at the point of delivery.

What if I have to miss a few days due to holidays or work commitments?

It is possible to “catch up” within a two week period automatically offered at the end of the course.

What if I work part-time?

Previous participants have found it possible to complete FOLIO courses even when working on a part-time basis. Part-time participants will particularly benefit from the two week catch-up period offered at the end of each course.

Can I join part-way through the course?

Unfortunately due to issues concerning group dynamics, together with administrative arrangements, it is only possible to participate if you have pre-registered for the course. However we naturally hope that the course will be so successful that it will be repeated on a later occasion!

What if members of my buddy group do not participate?

Participants have committed themselves to the course. However, circumstances may make it impossible for a buddy to participate. During the InfoSkills course, participants are divided into small "buddy groups" of three or four people. Therefore if one of your buddies withdraws from the course (or two in the case of groups of four), it will still be possible to complete the tasks set. In the event of all the other of the members of your buddy group withdrawing from the course, the FOLIO course team will provide some alternative which will depend on the stage at which this occurs. For example during Weeks One and Two it may be possible to join “orphan” buddies from another group without disruption to the course. In Weeks Three and Four you might be paired with a member of the course team for completion of a specific task. In Weeks Five and Six you may be given an alternative version of the exercise that it is possible to complete on your own. At all times our primary concern will be your educational progress. If you have a problem related to your buddy group then email us at folio@sheffield.ac.uk with the message header “InfoSkills Buddy Group”.

What if I am unable to complete the course?

Send an email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk with the message header “InfoSkills Withdrawal”. If you no longer wish to receive the course materials you should also send the message “leave FOLIO” to jiscmail@jiscmail.ac.uk. However you are free to continue to “lurk” as long as you send your “Withdrawal” email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk. Please also let your buddy group know that you are withdrawing from the course.

NB. Please note that it may still be possible to be credited with completion of the course even if your portfolio is not quite complete. This will depend upon both the nature of your reason for non-completion and the extent of completion of the portfolio. The decision of the facilitator, to be made upon conclusion of the course, will be final.

What if a link in a course email does not work?

Some email systems will split links into two lines causing them to be broken. All you need to do is copy and paste the whole link into your Internet browser.

What if I have an unresolved query concerning the course?

You can send an email to folio@sheffield.ac.uk. Please include the phrase “InfoSkills” in your email subject heading. We shall endeavour to answer your query within two working days.