Low Jiaxin Research Librarian, Finance

Singapore Management University

Background At SMU Libraries, the Learning and Information Services team

Designs

Develops

& Delivers learning programmes

to

• support the community’s information needs

• equip students with lifelong learning skills

Information Literacy at SMU

Information Literacy at SMU

Information Literacy at SMU

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2012 2013 2014

IL Sessions

Attendance

Co-Training

• “Team Teaching”

• Professional development

• On-the-job training

– Subject-knowledge

– Informs own teaching practice

Co-Training

Benefits Disadvantages

Develop instructional skills

Takes time for both parties

Increase confidence in material taught

Teamwork, sense of collegiality

(Gerrard & Knoch, 2004)

Co-Training

• 11 staff in Learning and Information Services

• Research librarian collaborates with faculty

and designs IL class

• Call for volunteer to be co-trainers

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Years of experience in library instruction:

Staff Perception of Co-Training • IL sessions co-trained for:

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Reasons for co-training:

Instructor required assistance/ I was available

Wish to learn content being taught

Wish to observe different teaching styles/methods

No choice

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Duties as a co-trainer

Logistics (taking attendance, etc)

Deliver content

Answering queries from students

Nothing / Observing the class

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Duties as a co-trainer:

– Highlight things that instructor missed out

– Candy distributor / Freebie distributor

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Briefings by instructor are adequate:

Not at all

Most of the time

Always

Some of the time

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Benefits / Downsides for co-trainers

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Why do you call for co-trainers?

– Classroom management

– Assistance when there are games or group activities

– For colleagues to learn more

– Confidence

– Feedback on areas for improvement

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Benefits of having co-trainers

Staff Perception of Co-Training • Downsides of having co-trainers

– Distraction

– Nervousness/Anxiety

– Time required to brief co-trainers properly

– Difficult to maintain energy level in class if co-trainers are not enthusiastic

Conclusion

• No surprises in survey results

• Staff recognise value of co-training

• More opportunities should be available for

para-professionals to co-train as part of

professional development

Conclusion

• Currently, co-trainers mainly assist in

classroom management

• From co-training to cross-training?

• Upskilling student assistants to co-train?

References

• Gerrard, A., & Knoch, J. (2004). Trial by fire: New librarians as team teachers. Academic

Exchange Quarterly, 8 (4). Retrieved from

http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/cho2734z4.htm

• Munoo, R. (2012). Nature or nurture? Case study perspectives on developing a team of

passionate instruction librarians at the Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore Management

University. In R. Gwyer, R. Stubbings & G. Walton (Eds.), The road to information literacy:

Librarians as facilitators of learning (pp. 117-132). Berlin: De Gruyter Saur.

Low Jiaxin Research Librarian, Finance

Singapore Management University