Kate Davis, Gillian Hallam, Katya Henry, Wendy Davis, Kysira Fairbairn and Ellen Heidelberger
The article aims to review a university course, offered to students in both Australia and Germany, to encourage them to learn about designing, implementing, marketing and…
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to review a university course, offered to students in both Australia and Germany, to encourage them to learn about designing, implementing, marketing and evaluating information programs and services in order to build active and engaged communities. The concepts and processes of Web 2.0 technologies come together in the learning activities, with students establishing their own personal learning networks (PLNs).
Design/methodology/approach
The case study examines the principles of learning and teaching that underpin the course and presents the students' own experiences of the challenges they faced as they explored the interactive, participative and collaborative dimensions of the web.
Findings
The online format of the course and the philosophy of learning through play provided students with a safe and supportive environment for them to move outside of their comfort zones, to be creative, to experiment and to develop their professional personas. Reflection on learning was a key component that stressed the value of reflective practice in assisting library and information science (LIS) professionals to adapt confidently to the rapidly changing work environment.
Originality/value
This study provides insights into the opportunities for LIS courses to work across geographical boundaries, to allow students to critically appraise library practice in different contexts and to become active participants in wider professional networks.
Details
Keywords
Felix Wortmann, Heiko Gebauer, Claudio Lamprecht and Elgar Fleisch