27/09/97training for change1 coming to an understanding: staff training and development in a...
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27/09/97 Training for Change 1
Coming to an understanding: staff training and development in a multi-skilled team environment
Richard Biddiscombe
Information Services
University of Birmingham UK
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Outline
Convergence at the University of Birmingham
Developing the team structure Skills and aptitude profiles Developing staff in a converged team Using the Web for mixed skills
development
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The University of Birmingham Model
Full convergence in one process Five Divisions:
– Planning & Administration– Information Computing and Systems – Collection Management– Public Services– Learning & Research Support
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Learning & Research Support
Supports the Teaching, research and learning needs of the staff and students of the University,
at their workplace, in the Schools or in other locations,
through a combination formal and informal, individual- and group-based mechanisms, and
through a combination of discipline-based and functionally-based teams.
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L&RS Remit
Pro-active liaison, advice and mission Information skills and software training
of academic staff and students First line technical support for Schools Multimedia and other courseware
production Academic publishing service
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L&RS Structure
Subject-based teams: A&H, CASSEL, M&LS, S&E
Multi-skilled – Liaison Librarians; Computer Officers,
Resources and Taining Advisors Television team Accommodation team University Press
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IS Staff training and development needs
All levels of staff Creating an espirit de corps: skills
awareness Role of the Team Leader Empowering individuals within a team User support as the motivating factor Project management to unify team
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Training programmes
Information Assistants: staff training for support staff
Divisional seminars: special topics; awaydays Team Leaders: workshop leading to
development group Custom built sessions: cooperation with
Staff Development Unit Conferences, workshops etc.
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Case Study:Arts & Humanities Team
Computer Officers responsible for Arts IT Resources Advisor and Trainer runs CAL
projects Liaison Librarians train, advise and promote
services Fully integrated into the academic structure links with other subject teams cross divisional working groups
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Case Study: development issues in the A&H Team
new staff/established staff perceptions defined user group/core service provision IT demands/library liaison team demands/other responsibilities
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Case Study: staff development through a Web project
ArtsWeb: focused infrastructure; partnership with academic staff
Gives common purpose to a mixed team Ideal tool for common understanding
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ArtsWeb
Creates a focus for a subject-based information service– Liaison Librarian edits pages reflecting
subject pages on the Web– Academic staff provide input and comments– Use of existing TLTP projects– Encouragement to academic staff to provide
their own learning support packages
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ArtsWeb
Brings together the skills of the whole team– The Resources Advisor & Trainer created
ArtsWeb; trains new users
– Computer Officers maintain the service; provide IT information for Faculty
– Liaison Librarian provides resources information; edits “What's New”
– Team Leader edits “What’s On”
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ArtsWeb
Underlines the Teams role in teaching and learning support– Provides a current information service to the
Faculty– Provides the basis for new learning support
opportunities– Encourages the virtual presentation of the Faculty– Ensures continuing and innovative interaction
between IS and the Faculty
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Web Addresses
ArtsWeb– http://www.bham.ac.uk/arts/– http://www.bham.ac.uk/isg/– http://www.bham.ac.uk/elg/