The Learning Centre pioneer of the new AIM (Academic Information Management) library module

The Learning Centre reached another goal with a new online library module for AIM. 

AIM is the compulsory full online course, to improve the digital and information literacy level of all new students. For many years, the Learning Centre coordinated and took responsibility for the library related content of the module.  Information specialist were involved with the training of 8000 AIM students, within two weeks per semester. Feedback indicated that there was too much information for the one hours sessions. There were many sessions running simultaneously which made it difficult to get enough trainers for all these sessions. 

It is against this background that we initiated discussions with library information specialists, the AIM manager and lecturers as well as staff members from the Department of Education Innovation during 2018.  We suggested a full online library module. The online module consists of five themes that are spread throughout the complete AIM module.

We started to create a concept of the new online library module for AIM after meeting with Education Innovation, the Aim manager and a few relevant partners on campus. During the last few months of 2018, we started to create this new module, which includes videos and infographics. Mulalo Mushaisano also attended a clickUP course before he started to develop the course further.   We successfully piloted and then launched the online module during January 2019.  Futher changes and updates will be made during the second semester.  This module not only gives the library more capacity but also gives the library the opportunity to be more visible during the complete AIM module and not only for one week per semester. The module is outcomes based and gives students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and accommodates the different learning styles through videos and infographics. 

This pioneering innovative project will definitely make a difference to the knowledge and skills of all first years students who successfully completes the full online module and help them FLY ( the finish line is yours).