How The Learning Centre Assists the DLS in Adapting to Hybrid Teaching and Learning

The Department of Library Services (DLS) had to adapt and change to align with the hybrid teaching and learning model of the University and Faculties. 

Reaching out to and collaborating with partners on campus and establishing needs became increasingly important. The LC, therefore, initiated a few online sessions where they collaborated, marketed and established needs. The LC participated in several FLY UPO sessions where they presented to first year students and raised awareness of the Library and their virtual services and products. The LC was invited to contribute to the FLY Newsletter and they marketed some of the Library’s products and services. A training session took place with the Student Representative Council where the needs of students were discussed. This training session highlighted the important products and services that the DLS offers. They also met virtually with the Student Advisors to discuss, share knowledge and network.

An online training session also took place with the student society, BOLD (Beyond Our Limiting Disabilities). This session was video recorded and will be made available to students with disabilities. During this session, specific questions on services and products that the DLS offers to students with Disabilities were answered. Regular communication, training and discussions with AIM lecturers and management of the Library Aim Module also took place. The DLS will target residences and tutors for the next semester. Collaboration with partners increases the visibility of the DLS and it is crucial that different target markets are reached.

Additionally, the Learning Centre (LC) collaborated with the Research Commons, the Research Office online education project managers and the Centre for Assessment at the Groenkloof campus, developed basic and advanced library courses, which were launched in March 2021. These courses were also consolidated with a fully online Anti-plagiarism course on a Library course ClickUP page. Students can self-enroll or, alternatively, it can be copied to a specific module and customised in order to be repackaged according the specified needs of lecturers. Since its launch, 1 124 students have accessed and completed the courses. Students can do self-paced learning, where they can increase their knowledge about anti-plagiarism, referencing, academic writing and topics to support their research and academic work. These fully online ClickUP courses will be actively marketed this semester to increase the number of students that enroll and complete them. The ultimate goal of the LC and the DLS is to add value by contributing to academic success, teaching and learning at UP.