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Newsletter 14, March 1997 |
This was a half-day event (held on the 11th December 1996) with an exhibition of materials, presentations, and a discussion session, designed to update staff on the Distance Learning issue in general and on LMU policy and planning in particular. Attention was focused on infrastructure, policies and strategies relevant to enabling an effective Distance Learning provision at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Attendance was 34, the majority being academic staff of the University. The format included an exhibition of distance learning course materials produced within LMU, and a number of technologies with potential to be used to deliver distance learning.
John Heap, Director of Learning Support Services expressed the University Mission as enabling Access — Growth — Capability — Empowerment. This is to be achieved within an environment characterized by:
Our response includes Faculty strategies which embrace
These strategies signal interest or first steps in:
In order to proceed in this direction, issues to address include
Dennis James, Learning Systems Consultant, spoke about infrastructure and system design issues. Major points included:
The full paper is available on-line; it may also be reached via the “Education News & Views” page.
Contact Dennis James if you would like a printed copy.
Prof. David Dewhurst, spoke about the funded ODL Project now being supported by the University.
What are the advantages of student-centred learning?
What are the implications?
The ODL Project
Criteria for Selecting Faculty-Based Projects
Funded Projects
Each project will:
Support Systems
A video recording of the presentations is available and copies may be borrowed from any of the site libraries.
It is a pleasure to report that the official opening ceremony for the Learning Centre on 16th December was a big success. Over 80 guests attended the talks by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Leslie Wagner, and John Heap, Director of Learning Support Services, with which the proceedings started. The Vice-Chancellor gave a very upbeat message about the redevelopment of LMU premises and facilities to meet the needs of the 21st century in the areas of sport, catering, learning support, high-tech lecture theatres and student residential accommodation. John Heap gave a presentation outlining the background to the development of a Learning Centre at Beckett Park, and explained the aims and achievements of the project showing, in particular, how traditional library and computer-based facilities were integrated to provide versatile and adaptable study support for students. He paid tribute to the patience of Beckett-Park-based LSS staff for maintaining services during the lengthy and often difficult gestation period of the project, and thanked the large team of architects, contractors, Estates Division and LSS staff who contributed to the successful realization of the project.
Most guests benefitted from a tour of the new Learning Centre (supplemented by an excellent commemorative brochure designed by Lee Walsh), which aimed to demonstrate the main features of the building and show why we are confident that it matches the best provision available in the sector. The event was rounded off with a lavish buffet lunch in the new dining hall which left the parting guests with smiles on their faces.
Early indications are that there has been a considerable increase in the use of library facilities at Beckett Park since the completion of the Learning Centre in September. Head counts conducted during the Autumn Term show that the number of people in the study areas of the Learning Centre was 150% higher than for the Beckett Park Library last year. This can be partially explained by the relocation of the Leeds Business School to Beckett Park, and the larger clientele using the facilities. However, this is not the whole explanation as reference use across all three libraries is running at 33% higher than last year. Loan activity is up 50% at Beckett Park. However, the surprise has been that, despite the relocation of the Leeds Business School and the move of an associated bookstock of 20,000 items, loan activity at Calverley Street has fallen by only 10%.
Library Transactions Increase
10%There were almost 330,000 transactions at the Library counters over the Autumn Term, which is an increase of 10% compared to the Autumn Term of 1995. This represents a considerable growth in activity across the three libraries, and compares with a more modest 3% increase over the Autumn Term between 1994 and 1995. Transactions include issues, returns and renewals of library materials, and provide a measure of the overall volume of business being conducted.
The increase was most marked, as expected, at Beckett Park. The move of the Leeds Business School to Beckett Park over the summer vacation was obviously going to have an impact on the level of usage but we have had some difficulties coping with the 46% increase in transactions which has, in fact, occurred. Calverley Street Library was expected to get quieter but transactions have only declined by 11% compared with Autumn 1995. Brunswick has shown an 8% decline in usage.
The total library expenditure per FTE in 1994/5 was £147 compared with an average in HE institutions across the country of £258. Only Buckingham, Lancaster, Humberside, and Nene College spent less per head. (SCONUL Annual Library Statistics 1994/5).