Learning enhancement through strategic project partnership

Abstract

In 1996, the University of Wolverhampton appointed a Director of Learning Centres to lead the development of its library into a dynamic learning support service offering a range of environments for self-directed and peer group learning and to enhance the information environment supporting a community of 23,000 students and over 2,500 staff in the UK and overseas. The process involved a hearts and minds change of expectations among academic staff about the contribution to expect from librarians and learning support staff in curriculum development, planning, validation and review and the development of both physical and e-learning environments. It involved investment in and re-skilling of staff, particularly in the areas of IT and media support, and incorporating learning skills development staff into the service. Staff achievement in the change agenda can be observed from the level of use of the campus-based centres and the associated "learn anywhere,work anywhere"services, on and off-campus, physically and virtually, by students and staff. The University is a former polytechnic situated in the EnglishWestMidlands in an area of historically low aspiration and attainment at the compulsory educational level. Within this context the institutional priority is to enable and encourage individuals to realize their full potential and to achieve academic excellence through a flexible, innovative and vocationally focused curriculum. A significant element in the development of the service over the past 6 years has been a range of activities nested with the institutional Learning and Teaching Strategy. The 19992002 Learning and Teaching Strategy prioritized "Growing a learning community". It focused on supporting the development of a population of knowledgeable staff who act as champions for improvement in the quality of student learning. To support this priority, staff from academic schools and learner-focused services were invited to submit proposals for innovation and research projects aimed at improving student learning.The criteria for proposals, and associated evaluation strategies, were set by an institutional working group. Proposals from the learning centres were reviewed and endorsed by the centres Learning and Teaching Group. In autumn 2000, funding was allocated to 2 learning centre staff to conduct separate yet related projects in the area of information skills development. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited.