VALA2022 E-Poster Gustafson

Digital Skills: Developing? Adept? Or Proficient?

VALA2022 E-Poster

Leah Gustafson
  • Digital Capability Adviser
  • Griffith University Library
Jennifer Kemp-Smith
  • Griffith University
C Hart
  • University of the Sunshine Coast

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Abstract

While informational literacy will remain core business for libraries, Australian libraries are increasingly extending their scope of service to support digital literacy and skill development (Johnson 2020). Towards this end, Griffith University’s Digital Dexterity Self-Assessment Quiz measures and promotes digital literacy as a key skill by enabling users to self-assess their digital literacy. Development of the quiz was initiated in direct response to, and in alignment with, the Council of Australian University Librarians’ (CAUL) Digital Dexterity framework and initiative and reflects the Griffith Graduate Attributes.

The initial build was developed through collaborations between Griffith’s Digital Dexterity Champion librarian, a Digital Capability Adviser and a Learning Advisor. Users gain an understanding of the elements of digital literacy, as well as assess their own proficiency with certain digital skills. The quiz was designed to increase student awareness of the six areas of digital dexterity as defined by the CAUL Digital Dexterity framework. These areas were then grouped according to three main themes – living in the digital space, creating digital content, and working with data. Many digital tasks are required to navigate an increasingly digital world, and each of the themed sections within the quiz tests respondents’ knowledge and understanding around those tasks.

Questions utilise interactive features such as drag/drop, true/false and multiple-choice selections. Each page provides users with an opportunity to reflect on their own level of competency and comfort with the digital skill. At the completion of the quiz the pre-determined scoring system evaluates respondents’ skill level and assigns their score to a hierarchical level of developing, adept, or proficient. Links to both internal and external resources are provided to showcase opportunities for further learning.

The quiz was built using the Articulate 360 Storyline package and is delivered on the web via GitHub. Using GitHub has meant that both the quiz and the accompanying source files are freely available for all to access and, potentially, reuse. Griffith University Library has a strong commitment to digital skills enhancement and contribution to the community of practice through the CAUL Digital Dexterity initiative. Designed as an open access resource, the Digital Dexterity Self-Assessment Quiz contributes to digital skills enhancement as well as to the broader community through distribution as part of the Open Education Resources (OER) Commons.

The successful launch of the project was the result of a strong design thinking process, with particular investment in the ideation phase; ability to pivot mid-project as the initial software platform became unavailable, and ongoing commitment from stakeholders. To date, according to the Google Analytics monitoring the GitHub site, there have been over 2000 visitors since the launch in March 2021. With a goal towards continuous improvement and based on user feedback, the digital dexterity self-assessment quiz will continue to evolve and improve and offer students an engaging digital dexterity experience.

Griffith University’s digital dexterity self-assessment quiz is a resource that positions the library as key provider of digital literacy and foundational skills development.

Biography

Leah Gustafson is a Digital Capability Adviser at the Griffith University Library supporting staff and students with their technology enquiries. She has a background in higher education teaching, digital development, creative industries, and science. Leah likes to focus on helping people improve their digital literacies to achieve their goals

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VALA2020 SC1 Yamaguchi

Librarian and coding: a new job opportunity

VALA2020 SC1
Tuesday 11 February 2020, 2:45 – 3:50

Masami Yamaguchi
  • Griffith University

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Abstract

Ongoing technological enhancement is providing information professionals opportunities to engage in continuing professional development to keep up with new demand and challenges. Technology competencies are required in many parts of librarians’ role. For example, emerging technology has transformed the research landscape from 50 years ago. Now researchers in all academic disciplines are working with big and complex data. They require knowledge of working with data, what tools to use, and where to save data; these are all facets of the research data lifecycle with which librarians can assist.

Academic libraries, in particular, are evolving new services around research data to meet their clients’ needs. This means that ideally librarians need to acquire knowledge and skills regarding digital scholarship, including tools, storage methods, high-performing computers (HPC) and some level of coding to clean, analyse and/or visualise data.

This session looks at the example of a learning and teaching focused librarian within Library and Learning Services (LLS), Griffith University, who, being interested to learn Python coding, developed a small Python script as part of their professional development. The script reduced a significant amount of time required for a learning analytics task. It also reduced the risk of introducing human error.

Not all librarians are required to be able to code. Nevertheless, investing time to develop coding skills can have positive returns to the organisation as it has the potential to improve the data quality and efficiency of internal processes. The organisation may not recognise the benefit of librarians’ digital skills – yet.

Coding skills can be a good addition to core library skills, which can be beneficial to the organisation. To encourage librarians to develop coding skills, creating a new job title, such as coding librarian, research software librarian, or research tools librarian, could be a solution as a job title would make clear and easy to recognise the required skill set. Librarians’ roles have been evolving to accommodate technological transformation and clients’ needs. A new job title would contribute to raising the awareness of the importance of these skills, expanding professional development opportunities, and diversifying librarians’ career paths.

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VALA2018 Session 10 Poulton

 

 
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Kylie Poulton
Kylie Poulton
 

Text and data mining: librarians as catalysts for new discoveries

VALA2018 CONCURRENT SESSION 10
Wednesday 14 February 2018, 14:45 – 15:15

Kylie Poulton

Griffith University

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Abstract

With the exponential increase in digital information, Text and Data Mining (TDM) is becoming a widely used research method supported by the development of specialised tools and technology. Challenges in using TDM research methods include licensing and copyright restrictions and a lack of skills and knowledge. As academic libraries seek to broaden their support for digital scholarship, how can librarians address the challenge of developing services that support TDM? By proposing a support model based on the phases of TDM research, this paper outlines how librarians can leverage current support services to support the cycle of TDM research.

 

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VALA2002 Session 1 Shulz

VALA2002
vala peer reviewed

The Internet Resources Project: an Exercise in Collaboration

VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Collaboration
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-1-schulz

Natalie Schulz

Griffith University Library

Sarah Fredline

Queensland University of Technology Library

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Abstract

This paper describes a collaborative effort to select and describe free Internet resources by Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Libraries in Brisbane, Australia. After considering the options available, the Libraries decided to trial selection and description of free Internet resources by Reference staff using a web input form, with some records upgraded to full cataloguing.

 

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VALA2014 Session 5 Wolski

Terra Nova: a new land for librarians?

VALA2014 CONCURRENT SESSION 5: Innovate
Tuesday 4 February 2014, 15:15 – 15:45
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2014-proceedings/vala2014-session-5-wolski

Malcolm Wolski and Joanna Richardson

Griffith University, QLD

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Abstract

As society tackles increasingly complex issues, there is a driving imperative for new knowledge, approaches and technologies to empower solutions, especially in emerging areas of inquiry. This paper discusses how federated research collections, such as Terra Nova, are being developed in Australia between collaborative partners to address this need. It examines the role of librarians in not only the development of these new systems but also in the ongoing support and outreach. It highlights the importance of the librarian as a key participant in a cross-disciplinary, potentially multi-institutional, research support team/network.

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VALA2014 Session 15 Simons

Redefining ‘the librarian’ in the context of emerging eResearch services

VALA2014 CONCURRENT SESSION 15: New Territory
Thursday 6 February 2014, 13:45 – 14:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2014-proceedings/vala2014-session-15-simons

Natasha Simons and Sam Searle

Griffith University, Qld

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Abstract

The authors reflect on their experiences in eResearch roles that are redefining ‘the librarian’ in university research support services. Case studies show how their early work experiences in IT and universities, combined with roles in the cultural sector, enabled a transition into eResearch. The paper argues that librarians can add significant value to multidisciplinary eResearch teams, but must take an active approach to professional development and be open to non-traditional roles. The paper concludes with a discussion of essential skills, knowledge and traits for this emerging area, and practical strategies for individuals and organisations wanting to acquire these.

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VALA2012 Session 10 Hardware

VALA2012 Session 10 Hardware

Where to next? A case study of the development of a Career Pathing Tool for the Division of Information Service, Griffith University

VALA2012 CONCURRENT SESSION 10: eM-powering Professionals
Thursday 9 February 2012, 11:40 – 12:10
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2012-proceedings/vala2012-session-10-hardware

Jennifer Hardware

Griffith University, Qld

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VALA2012VALA Peer Reviewed
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Thursday, February 09, 2012, 11:40 AM AUSEDT, 30 Minutes.

Abstract

Change is an integral part of life for Information Technology and Information Professionals. Information Services, Griffith University, has designed a Career Pathing Tool as one way to help manage change and support its staff through change. It is intended to assist staff with their career development, by providing them with an understanding of the career paths available and the skills and training needed to move into the types of roles offered. This paper outlines the processes being developed, the hurdles faced so far and the goal for the completed tool.

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VALA2006 Session 2 Borchert

VALA2006Changing user behaviour using a digital repository system

VALA 2006 CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Digital Repositories
Wednesday 8 February 2006, 11:55 – 12:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2006-proceedings/vala2006-session-2-borchert

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperMartin Borchert

Associate Director, Access Services, Information Services, Griffith University
http://www.griffith.edu.au

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Abstract

Griffith University is developing a digital repository system using HarvestRoad Hive software to better meet the needs of academics and students using institutional learning and teaching, course readings, and institutional intellectual capital systems. Issues with current operations and systems are discussed in terms of user behaviour. New repository systems are being designed in such a way that they address current service and user behaviour issues by closely aligning systems with user needs. By developing attractive online services, Griffith is working to change current user behaviour to achieve strategic priorities in the sharing and reuse of learning objects, improved selection and use of digitised course readings, the development of ePrint and eScience services, and the management of a research portfolio service.