Co-Training as Pro Training
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Transcript of Co-Training as Pro Training
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
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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 • 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 • 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 • 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