Showcasing iSkills

Last week Lorna Hector (Assistant Librarian at GC LRC) and I showcased the LRCs NEW iSkills online learning modules to, about 60, Further Education Librarians at a UKSG FE event.

For those of you who haven’t looked at it yet,  iSkills stands for information skills. iSkills modules are online, interactive, modules lasting 5 – 15 minutes.  They are on a range of topics that explain how to study effectively and show how to find and use information.

The full range of modules is shown here.

They were put together by the LRC team in collaboration with Hugh Vaughn from Web Services using Articulate. Since the start of term the modules have been accessed over 14,000 times.

If you haven’t already, check it out and have a go! You can access iSkills via the LRCs Moodle pages, the 'My College' tab or through the LRCs Moodle block on the right hand side of your course page.

We had a great day at the event and learnt lots about how other LRCs are supporting students, networked but didn’t eat much food as we were on after lunch and a bit nervous.

If you would like to view our presentation and the others from the event you can access them here: http://www.uksg.org/event/FE301116

Don’t forget you can access iSkills and all the LRCs Online resources 24/7 from home all through the holidays. Please pop into your LRC if you have any questions about iSkills, e-books or how to access online journals.

Hannah Bennett

(Site Librarian MW LRC)

Six Book Challenge 2013

FC LRC & GC LRC are pleased to announce the launch of the Six Book Challenge 2013!

Do you want to improve your reading and literacy skills? Do you want to get back into reading but don't know where to start?

If the answer is yes, then get them involved in the Six Book Challenge!

We had a trial run of the challenge last year with two ESOL groups at Guildford and 15 students at Farnham with some success but we are now opening it up to any students that want to improve their reading skills and/or get back into reading.

The challenge is for students to read six books before the end of June 2013.

Well not just books... poetry, newspapers,  magazines and e-books count too! All you need to do is pop along to the LRC and sign up. It doesn't take long, just a minute or two to fill out a little form. Then we give you a reading diary so you can record what you read and rate it out of 5. Once you have read something and recorded it in your diary pop back into the LRC to get it stamped by a member of the LRC team.

When you have filled up your diary and read all six books you have completed the challenge and you will receive your certificate and get entered into a National Prize Draw. First prize is a theatre trip to London for 2 and three runners up will get a Kobo e-reader.

Don't worry if you don't know where to start or what to read the LRC staff can help you and you can also check out this useful website to help you find your next read. There will also be freebies and incentives throughout the challenge to keep you motivated! :)

Over 23 students have signed up already! Why not join them and give it a go?!?