P5 - Transforming research students' library and information skills development via a blended learning module

Newcastle University Library's liaison team has delivered an information skills module to postgraduate research students for many years, as part of the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty researcher training programme. The module, comprising a series of workshops, has always faced significant challenges catering for mixed student experience, subject specialisms, training needs and availability.

In 2018, the team transformed the module into blended format: mainly online, but framed by two lectures and a practical workshop. Online content comprised text, video, audio, forums and quizzes. A diagnostic skills checker enabled students to create their personalised online journey through the module. Topics include searching, evaluating and managing information, specialist information resources, plus contemporary information issues such as Open Access, data management and fake news.

The blended module’s first run saw a marked improvement in student satisfaction and engagement, reduced administrative workload for the library team, and a far more coherent researcher development experience.