Web Magazine for Information Professionals

2nd International Symposium on Networked Learner Support

Sarah Ashton introduces the forthcoming 2nd International Symposium on Networked Learner Support, to be held in Sheffield on 23-24 June 1997.

Issue 4’s At the Event column - featuring the 1st International Symposium on Networked Learner Support [1] - had a distinct football theme. So it seems particularly appropriate that I sit down to write about this year’s Symposium on the day of the FA Cup Final! (No footballs at this year’s event; however, be warned that your Editor is threatening to bring his boomerang!)

The venue for the 2nd International Symposium on Networked Learner Support (NLS) is Halifax Hall, Sheffield. The Symposium will take place on the 23rd and 24th June 1997, and the theme of this year’s event is “New services, roles and partnerships for the on-line learning environment”. The Symposium focuses on the potential of computer-mediated communications (CMC) and the Web in the provision of information support, and on the organisational and professional development issues associated with the NLS role. It aims to offer an opportunity for those involved in creating networked learning resources and developing on-line information support strategies to share experience and ideas, and to contribute to developing good practice in this new area of activity.

Over the two days, papers will be offered on a range of aspects of NLS in higher education, and there will be opportunities for break-out groups to discuss the issues raised. We are delighted to welcome presenters from Germany, Denmark, Australia, and the USA, as well as speakers from the UK sector. Full details of the Symposium - including the programme - can be found on the Web [2] .

We anticipate that the Symposium will be of interest not only to library and information staff involved in learner support (e.g. user education, information skills training or enquiry/reference work) but also to those involved in NLS from other points of view, such as teaching/learning support, computer services, academic departments, distance learning services, research and development projects, staff development/training. The Symposium has already attracted a lot of interest from both the UK and abroad, so to ensure a place book now using the booking form [2]

The Symposium is organised in association with the eLib training and awareness project, NetLinkS (collaborative professional development for networked learner support). For further information on the project, see the associated Web site [3] .

References

  1. 1st International Symposium on Networked Learner Support
    http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue4/netlinks/
  2. (Forthcoming) 2nd International Symposium on Networked Learner Support
    http://netways.shef.ac.uk/rbase/2ndsym.htm
  3. Netlinks Web Site,
    http://netways.shef.ac.uk/

Author Details

Sarah Ashton,
Netlinks Research Officer
Email: S.J.Ashton@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel: 01142 222 657
Address: Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN