Copyright (c) 2010 University of Wollongong All rights reserved. http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers Recent documents in Academic Services Division - Papers en-us Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:08:47 PST 3600 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/116 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/116 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:32:38 PDT Project EnROLE has been a two year $200,000 ALTC project to encourage uptake of online role based learning environments, with particular focus on what is commonly referred to by us as role play. Role play is widely acknowledged to be a powerful teaching technique in face to face, blended and online teaching contexts and has been previously singled out as an example of good practice by ALTC predecessors: CAUT, CUTSD and AUTC. The project goal was to encourage uptake of online role based learning environments using the strategy of building a community of practice at university, state and national levels which would better reward and recognise teachers already using role play and scaffold teachers wanting to get started with role play. Starting with the core team based at 5 NSW universities, Project EnROLE's community building activities have exceeded expectations, resulting in 26 outcomes (Table 1) involving hundreds of teachers Australia-wide, which affirms EnROLE's Dissemination Model of cascading university clusters and state networks. The BLUE Report describes these outcomes and achievements in 4 sections representing 4 phases of the project: Building, Linking, Understanding and Extending. The key finding is that a good practice database (repository) cannot be built without simultaneously building a community of practice and that the role of connector/broker is essential for community development. The BLUE report serves as a guide for educators interested in the field of online role play to assist them in identifying and accessing available resources. It also provides guides and frameworks of a more generic nature about Peer Review, Partnerships, Fellowships, Leadership and Uptake. S. Wills http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/115 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/115 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:34:02 PDT The University of Wollongong Library purchased 21 bibliographic databases on CD-ROM during 1988, 1989 and 1990 covering the disciplines of business, psychology, medicine, geography, sociology, education, science, nursing, engineering, mathematics and occupational health and safety. The databases are available for use by all students and staff, and their use is continuing to be evaluated. The introduction of the CD··ROM service has had significant implications for library users and staff, e. g . the number of online searches has reduced, the use of serial literature has increased, the use of hard copy indexes has changed and staff involvement in the training of how to use the databases has been unexpectedly high. In order to more formally evaluate the service, student and staff use of the databases was surveyed during early 1990. This paper will focus on the findings of the survey, presenting recommendations for the continued use of the CD-ROM databases. C. Grimson http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/114 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/114 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:00:03 PDT CD-Rom databases have been hailed as a means of avoiding the problems inherent in budgeting for online services, and hence also the need to charge for searching. However, some libraries are already considering charging for their use. This is a retrograde step. The University of Wollongong library has purchased a number of CD-ROM databases which have been enthusiastically received by both students and academic staff. At present, we do not charge for this service. Initial indications are that the introduction of CD-Rom databases has meant a slump in demand for online searches. Clearly, CD-Rom and online services could be complementary, and it is likely that once CD--ROM databases are no longer considered a novelty, online services will regain, and possibly increase, their standing with the academic library community. This paper concludes that CD-Roms have the potential to greatly enhance students' access to information, firstly, through providing free access to electronic database sources, secondly, by making students more aware of the potential of online services for up to the minute information, and thirdly, for improving document delivery. C. A. Alcock http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/113 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/113 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:44:12 PDT The University of Wollongong library Acquisitions Team has established an ideal model for best practice in relation to the acquisition and provision of prescribed texts and recommended readings for library clients through benchmarking with three other Australian academic libraries. The approaches integral to our focus on texts and recommended readings were examined in detail, with opportunities for our own continuous improvement defined. Our major aim was improvement of collection relevance and development concerning acquisition of University of Wollongong curriculum texts and recommended readings through benchmarking. In practical terms this meant redesigning the texts and recommended readings process from selection to shelf ready access for our clients. Specifically, we examined components such as: approach taken; selection; ordering; accessioning, copy cataloguing and end processing; access provided for clients; and funds used. L. Denny http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/112 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/112 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:51:21 PDT Quality management was formally adopted by the University of Wollongong Library in 1994 as a management framework compatible with established values and previous change programs. Despite considerable goal accomplishment in recent years, new strategies were needed to continue to build on strengths, and to assimilate continuous review and improvement as a means of managing future change. Application for the Achievement in Business Excellence Award was selected as an indicator to measure progress towards the goal: Incorporation of Total Quality Management principles into all aspects of Library management. The process is quite rigorous and the commitment of leaders and staff at all levels is essential for success. F. McGregor http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/111 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/111 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:54:21 PDT While technical skills and professional qualifications will continue to play an important role in the identification and selection of people to join our organisations, the development of life-long learning skills will be the corner-stone of an organisation's ongoing success and capacity to develop and adapt in a constantly shifting market place. Change is the only constant is the catch phrase of the moment. In a climate of ever-accelerating, and often overwhelming change, the ability of individuals to develop suites of skills and knowledge that promote flexibility, innovation and creativity will be a key determinant of an organisation's future success or failure. However, these sets of skills, knowledge and attitudes are often not represented in position descriptions or profiles of attitudes. M. H. Jantti http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/110 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/110 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:30:30 PDT Novel and aggressive attitudes toward cooperation will need to accompany the development of information technologies if libraries are to maintain a central role in the information environment. Existing cooperative mechanisms must be expanded by the establishment of international strategic alliances with publishers, database producers, software developers and hardware suppliers. In particular, Australian librarians need to re-assess their involvement in scholarly publishing and develop strategies which meet the challenges posed by emergent communication and storage technologies. J. Shipp http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/109 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/109 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:04:47 PDT Traditionally, libraries were the major information source for the public. However, as society's use of the Internet has increased, traditional information suppliers such as libraries have been forced to adapt their offerings to maintain their role as a major supplier of information. In 2002, 66% of Australians and 57% of the UK population had Internet access (CyberAtlas, 2003, p. 224). As these figures increase, researchers are more inclined to expect that information be both current and accessible from their desktop. The ease and speed of publication on the Internet makes this goal achievable. A. Norris http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/108 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/108 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:55:27 PDT The collection of statistical data about the usage of databases by library patrons is an important task for librarians. It is necessary for a variety of reasons, including the provision of appropriate access points, the minimisation of costs associated with database licences and the diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses in the training programs provided for the patrons of the library. The collection of these statistics is cumbersome, unless it can be automated as part of the process of accessing the databases. This paper presents a critical appraisal of the development, implementation and evaluation of an automated statistics gathering system at the University of Wollongong Library for the CD-ROM database collection. The authors describe the background to the study and explain the ways in which the use of statistical data can improve the day-to-day management of CD-ROM and database facilities, collection development of CD-ROM databases, and the influence on training and directions given to users in regard to their use. The importance of a long term plan for data collection and the need for informed, practical analysis are also discussed. P. Hyland http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/107 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/107 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:34:11 PDT It is said that Abdul Kassem Ismael, the scholarly Grand Vizier of Persia in the tenth century had a library of 117,000 volumes. He was an avid reader and a lover of books. On his many travels, he could not bear to part with this beloved books. Wherever he went they were carried about by 400 camels trained to walk in alphabetical order. His camel drivers thus became librarians who could put their hands instantly on any book for which their master asked. (Hawkins, Brian L and Battin, Patricia (2000) Camel Drivers and Gatecrashers, Educause Review May/June 2000 p50). How did the performance of this mobile library measure up? As there was only one key client and stakeholder, the Grand Vizier, matters were relatively simple and he, perhaps, thought in terms of the number of items in his collection, whether they were correctly arranged for immediate retrieval and whether his wealth was sufficient to acquire even more precious volumes. Such measures are still common today in libraries even though we can now transport our libraries - or at least make them accessible - to the far corners of the earth, not by camel but via electronic publishing and the internet. F. McGregor http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/106 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/106 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:08:25 PDT Long recognised for its philosophy of quality and service excellence, the University of Wollongong Library recently restated and simplified its key client service goal to read exceptional service. Achieving this bold promise included revisiting our commitment to training and development and improving sustainability through initiatives and innovation. Two recent developments are ensuring that this promise is being met. Significant increases in student numbers, bringing with them highly diverse needs and expectations have challenged established approaches to service delivery. The Client Services Division (Loans, Short Loans, Information Desk, shelving) and Roving Helpers articulated a need for more up-skilling and flexibility in service provision - particularly at point and place-of-need. We recognised that our earlier approaches to staff training, such as on-the-job and core training workshops, were no longer sufficient. D. Dee http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/105 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/105 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:52:07 PDT The library's extensive collaboration with the UOW Research and Innovation Division is making possible a 'one-stop shop' for the collection of publications used for both the university's HERDC (research data collection for DEEWR) and ERA (Excellence in Research Australia) processes, as well as for deposit within Research Online, the UOW institutional repository. M. K. Organ http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/104 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/104 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:39:37 PDT I began working at the University of Wollongong Library 12 years ago in Lending Services. Casual employment soon progressed to a limited term position and after a couple of years I was working full time in Special Collections. Our library has a strong commitment to job enrichment and when the opportunity arose a few years later to undertake a 12 month placement as a Copy Processing Officer my application was successful. Although I had no formal library qualifications, I obtained extensive on-the-job-training and support, gaining skills in copy cataloguing and end processing. A permanent position soon became available and, after a restructure, acquisitions and cataloguing were combined. After a period of training, my range of duties grew to include ordering and processing invoices for monograph titles. As part of the Business Excellence Framework used by the UOW Library the organisation aspires to develop its people to their full potential. Learning is valued and the Library prides itself on its commitment to staff and has established a comprehensive staff training and development program. C. Werner http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/103 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/103 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:32:22 PDT There's no doubt that the Library is the hub of learning and information literacy al University of Wollongong's (UOW) campus. Attracting close to a million visitors each year, the library provides hands-on information literacy training to almost 20,000 clients. However the staff's commitment to literacy and learning extends beyond the campus and into the broader community; participating in fundraising and contributing to local, national and international causes, all with a focus on literacy and learning. In 2007, the UOW Library's Wellbeing Committee fundraising efforts were directed towards the Books in Homes Australia (BIHA) program. F. Pinkerton http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/102 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/102 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:05:43 PDT An identified gap in the higher education sector is the development of leadership capacity for teaching and learning. Significant funding has been allocated by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) to support the development of academic leadership in higher education. The outcomes of this initiative will ultimately improve the student experience as a more scholarly approach to the many aspects of teaching and learning is adopted. One project funded by ALTC supported four universities to develop and trial a framework for leadership capacity development. Five critical factors for success were identified including authentic learning activities that were situated in real contexts; formal leadership training and professional development initiatives; engagement in reflective practice including opportunities for dialogue about leadership practice and experiences; and activities that expanded current professional networks. In this paper we specifically examine how authentic learning environments enabled leadership capacity development and informed assessment practices within institutional and national contexts. G. Lefoe http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/101 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/101 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:17:09 PDT The writer of this story was born in Illawarra over 76 years ago [c1857], and during his childhood and youth he shared in the experiences and struggles of the pioneer settlers in that rich and beautiful portion of the State. In this story he has attempted to give a detailed account of the manner in which the Crown Lands of Illawarra were disposed of, for the information of all who are interested in matters pertaining to Illawarra, and, more particularly, the large body of farmers now occupying those lands, many of whom are descendants of the pioneers who came from England, Ireland and Scotland, and settled on the Estates of the early grantees from the "thirties" to the "sixties" of last century. To these, and their descendants, this story is respectfully dedicated. B. Lindsay http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/100 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/100 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:44:05 PDT He was that "rara avis" in Australian historiography, the devoted local historian who has a realisation of the broader implications of regional development. So wrote Sydney University Archivist D.S. Macmillan in an obituary notice published in the October 1960 number of the Union Recorder, commemorating the death of Arthur Cousins on Wednesday, 17 August, at his Cremone residence, aged 94 years. Though having known him for only a brief period at the end of a long life, Macmillan had developed a degree of admiration and respect for this elderly gentleman, who, along with G.E. Hall and others, had worked towards the creation of the Sydney University Archives, where Macmillan was appointed first full-time archivist in 1954. However this was only one of many noteworthy achievements, in a long career during which Cousins was a schoolteacher, local historian, parent, and Honorary Archivist of Sydney University. M. K. Organ http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/99 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/99 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:23:59 PDT This paper comments on W.B. Clarke's role as a scientific journalist in Sydney, 1839-1878. It also argues that Clarke has been misrepresented over time because large sections of his published work - specifically anonymous and signed newspaper articles - have not been considered in analyses of his life and assessments of his place in the history of Australian science. M. K. Organ http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/98 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/98 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:37:07 PDT Since 2006, Research Online, the University of Wollongong's open access institutional repository has utilised Bepress' Digital Commons software to make available published research outputs and digital theses. This article discusses the outcomes of recent academic demand for its use as a publishing tool of university journals and conference proceedings. The Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice is provided as an example. Digital Commons includes the editorial management software, EdiKit, which assists in managing submissions, editorial functions, and peer review. Also considered are changes to scholarly communication patterns arising out of the new open access, electronic only, publication regimes. R. Daly http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/97 http://ro.uow.edu.au/asdpapers/97 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:35:31 PDT Commerce is the largest faculty at the University of Wollongong; it supports postgraduate coursework, Masters and PhD programs. In 2003 work began on preparing a pilot program that was designed to position the Faculty at the top level of commerce-related research within Australia. It was called the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) and the plan was that it would be fully implemented into the Faculty's research program at a later stage. The pilot DBA program comprised four research subjects, four postgraduate level commerce subjects and the doctoral thesis itself. This paper is based on a subject called Advanced Business Specialisation Studies. It is the second of the four research subjects and requires the participants to find and organise relevant research literature in the preparation of their research proposal. S. Lipu