Hossam Kassem, Learning and Teaching Librarian, Open University #CILIPConf20 #digitalpivot

1. The 'Digital Pivot' - the role of
librarians and knowledge specialists in
moving teaching and learning online
Hossam Kassem, Learning and Teaching librarian at the Open University.
Accessibility Operational Lead

2. 2
What do we teach at the OU Library
Targeted and Generic sessions and activities covering:
1. Finding Information
2. Evaluating Information
3. Referencing
4. A Generic session on Digital foot print
5. A Generic session aimed at disabled students to
improve their experience studying online

3. 3
Challenges we faced this year
This year for us is unprecedented
What happen
1. Unprecedent students numbers, e.g. one night we had
7000 students using the system in different rooms. 30%
more compared to last year.
2. Technology at times could not cope.
3. We needed to call for more support.
4. Students are unusually active and engaged, you want
them to be like this.

4. 4
Remember Accessibility &
Inclusivity
In the push to move online we must remember
challenges faced by disabled students. We need to be
accessible and inclusive when we:
1. Select the medium of delivery (we might be limited
here)
2. Design Stage
3. Delivery Stage
4. Post delivery

5. 5
Useful links 1
• OU Library training events https://www.open.ac.uk/library/training-and-
events
• OU Library YouTube channel: Generic session recordings with captions
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL20X7gnosgTKTCHTv9h3us44Q8
0PXUINE
• Designing for online template
Durham, Fiona and Kassem, Hossam (2019). Is there anybody there?
Designing effective and engaging live online information literacy
teaching. In: LILAC: the Information Literacy Conference, 24-26 Apr
2019, Nottingham. http://oro.open.ac.uk/61752/
• Case study: shifting your IL teaching online – Hossam Kassem
https://infolit.org.uk/case-study-shifting-your-il-teaching-online/

6. 6
Useful links 2
• How to teach online: Providing continuity for
studentshttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/teach-online
• Doing the Covid-19 Pivot
 Part 1 Technical Consideration
 Part 2 Designing for online
 Part 3 Accessibility

7. THANK YOU