The Information Services Skills-Training Policy

Introduction:

Information Services works closely with academic departments and other central services in a number of ways:

• It supports academic staff in ‘skills’ teaching through, inter alia, extensive web pages, publications and regular updating and staff development sessions.
• It works directly with students through the New Student Induction Programme and subject embedded skills delivery within key modules.
• It provides a wide range of courses in computing and library skills and is complemented by a clinic service which runs throughout the year.
• Students at Aberystwyth have a planned introduction to Information Services (library and computing). This begins with the general Introduction to Information Services, organised by Faculty, during the first weekend, as part of the Induction events for all new students. This is followed by Getting Started in the Library courses (organised on a faculty basis) and Essential Info on using our Network sessions, which take place during the first week of term.
• In addition AU libraries hold collections of materials in support of skills teaching for both staff and students. Of particular note are the Effective Study Collection and the Staff Development and Learning Centre, both based in the Hugh Owen Library.

One of Information Services objectives (4.6) is to "extend the coverage, content and comprehensiveness of existing induction, training and support programmes so as to equip all types of student, including distance learners and special needs students, with the skills they require, not only to make effective use of information and technology in the new learning environment, but also for employment".

Information Services is committed to Supporting Teaching and Learning by:

• Providing help and training on the use of the facilities and services offered by Information Services.
• Offering a range of Information Skills training, subject to available resources, in response to the needs of our customers throughout AU.
• Providing information, in the most appropriate media, on the provision and use of the facilities and services provided by Information Services.
• Providing personal assistance in computing and library matters through Enquiry, Information and Help Desk services, with referrals to other specialist staff where appropriate.
• Providing a schedule of courses each semester covering the most commonly required computing and information skills, open to all staff and students.
• Providing induction sessions for new students covering information and basic computing skills.
• Providing input into postgraduate programmes, including provision of information skills training.
• Providing additional informal or formal training for staff or students in computing, information and literature skills on request from departments, subject to available resources.
• Offering advice and support on incorporating information skills into academic teaching.
• Offering advice and support on the use of the local Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for academic teaching.