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The RDN Virtual Training Suite offers online subject-based training to enhance Internet information skills and the value of the UK Resource Discovery Network for learning and teaching communities. It provides a flexible framework with four key sections for users to master essential Internet skills.
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology Grainne Conole and Kate Sharp
The RDN Virtual Training SuiteEmma Place, Grainne Conole and Kate Sharp
VTSRDN Virtual Training Suite Aims to: • Offer online subject-based training in “Internet information skills” • Enhance the value of the UK Resource Discovery Network (RDN) for the learning and teaching communities
Background • Project funding • Funded by JISC under their DNER programme • Follows on from the Electronic Libraries Programme - eLib • Total of 38 subject-based tutorials • 11 tutorials went live in July 2000 • 27 more due in May 2001
The RDN • The Resource Discovery Network • A network of subject-specific information gateways • Part of the JISC DNER • Subject areas are clustered around five ‘hubs’ • SOSIG - social science • BIOME - biomedical • EEVL - engineering • PSIgate - psychology • HUMBUL - humanities
VTS offers ... • The user education for the RDN: • Teaching materials • Free training • Learning materials
Standard structure • TOUR • DISCOVER • REVIEW • REFLECT
Learning objectives: Tour Aim: to offer Internet orientation for the subject area On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Distinguish between different types of resources available over the Internet • Identify some key Internet resources for their subject area • Compile a list of links to Internet sites of particular relevance to their work
Learning Objectives: Discover Aim: to teach Internet information seeking skills for the subject On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Explain the differences between Internet search tools (search engines, directories and subject gateways) • Identify key Internet search tools for the subject area • Find relevant information on the Internet (using effective search and browse techniques)
Learning Objectives: Review Aim: to teach the skills and knowledge needed for critical evaluation of Internet resources On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • State why information quality is an issue on the Internet • Identify information quality issues of particular relevance to the subject area • Critically evaluate the quality of Internet resources
Learning Objectives: Reflect Aim: to suggest practical ways of using Internet resources to support working practices On completion of this section, users will be better able to: • Summarise the key Internet information skills they need • Incorporate Internet resources into their learning, teaching or research
Using VTS • The resource is designed to be • a flexible framework to support learning • adaptable to customise to the local context • The resources can be used as: • part of a presentation in a training session • a set assignments for students • a set of handouts • part of a practical exercise in a workshop • support for independent learning
Resources • Relevant sites • DNER • Distributed Network for Electronic Resources, www.jisc.ac.uk/dner • e-Lib • Electronic Libraries, www.jisc.ac.uk • JISC • Joint Information Systems Committee, www.jisc.ac.uk • RDN • Resource Discover Network, www.rdn.ac.uk • VTS • Virtual Training Suite, www.vts.rdn.ac.uk
Further information • Web site: http://www.ilrt.ac.uk/ • Email: emma.place@bristol.ac.uk • Project team • Central team • University of Bristol - Emma Place, Tracey Hooper, Paul Smith • Hub management • The tutorials are linked to the five national RDN hubs • Tutorial authors • 38 subject specialists have been commissioned to write the tutorials, based in Universities across the UK