News from the school
- New book from SIS faculty
- PhD student presents his research from Seattle
- Innovation is the key to a new degree offering
- Singapore Study Visit and International Experience
- Prof Given elected Chair of ASIST Sig-USE
- SIS Student Conference Award winner attends CAIS
- SIS joins the iSchools
- Student awards
- Visiting Scholar Professor Donald Case
- New report for schools released
- Lecturer wins award from alma mater
- Transform student learning
- NSW State Library Innovation Project
- New research methods book
- New lecturer joins the School
- New book by Philip Hider
New book from SIS faculty
SIS research fellow Dr Paul Scifleet’s recently published volume, edited in collaboration with University of Sheffield iSchool colleagues Drs Angela Lin and Jonathan Foster, joins the list of books published by SIS faculty this year. Covering the topics, crowdsourcing, consumer-generated content, online social networks, electronic word of mouth and online consumer behaviours, Consumer Information Systems and Relationship Management: Design Implementation & Use, presents empirical research, theoretical frameworks, and models for supporting strategic management and meeting consumer needs through the use of digital and Web-based technologies. Further details at: http://www.igi-global.com/book/consumer-information-systems-relationship-management/73567.
PhD student presents his research from Seattle
On Thursday 19 September more than 30 participants joined in celebrating the completion of CSU student Terry Asla’s Ph.D. with a presentation of his research delivered from the University of Washington’s iSchool in Seattle, USA. Terry’s study, The Fourth Age: Human information behavior and successful aging, makes a significant contribution to LIS by examining how physical, cognitive and social losses in the final stages of life impact human information behavior (HIB). The research shows that information literacy nearly always declines in the fourth age, making it increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to use the Internet and other technologies. The findings show that it is possible to extend existing information literacy skills by providing the proper motivation and support in this age. Terry, a United States resident, was joined in the presentation by his supervisor, Dr Kirsty Williamson, from the SIS seminar room in Wagga Wagga. The event marks the first of our open online seminar sessions delivered using Adobe Connect technology; more to come! We wish Terry every success following the completion of this important Ph.D.
Innovation is key to a new degree offering
The School of Information studies is pleased to announce the launch of a new degree, the Master of Education (Knowledge Networks & Digital Innovation). This new post-graduate degree introduces innovative options in postgraduate study in education, and provides flexible program options in knowledge networking, global information flow, advanced search techniques, learning analytics, social media, digital citizenship, game-based learning, digital literature and learning spaces design. Now more than ever, working in education requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of the diversities of information environments, e-learning innovations, e-literature, e-pedagogy, and participatory online cultures.
Courses Director Judy O'Connell explains, "The digital revolution has provided a plethora of flexible teaching tools for teachers, but using them can be challenging and at time intimidating. Teachers know that traditional approaches to learning are no longer capable of coping with this constantly changing world. So while the value of information as knowledge remains at the heart of learning and teaching, technologies and social media platforms are driving an unprecedented reorganization of the learning environment in and beyond schools. This new course provides education professionals with the opportunity to customise a postgraduate program of study that will meet their practical and professional needs."
Further information can be found at http://www.csu.edu.au/digital. Regular Webinars are also provided to allow educators to learn more about what the degree has to offer. Enrolments are now open for 2014.
Singapore Study Visit and International Experience
A group of 22 students have returned from a wonderful four days in Singapore visiting a range of libraries and information agencies through a structured program of visits at a diverse range of information organisations, including Singapore National Library, Nanyang Technological University library, Singapore Press Holding library, and Tanglin Trust School libraries. This study visit provided an outstanding opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how various information agencies function to service a particular clientele, and also an understanding of the career opportunities available within the profession abroad. 
This four-day study visit was part of the requirements in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as the subject EEB310 International Cultural & Education Program, which acknowledges the students participation in an International Short term Program. Student Suzanne recorded her international experiences at http://studyvisit.weebly.com/, and reflected: "Singapore is a modern, successful and forward-looking city that strives to be at the forefront of the world in many ways. I feel this ethos is reflected in many of the libraries we visited on this tour, as they can be seen to be pushing forward with technology and innovation to create the libraries of the future." 
Prof Given elected Chair of ASIST Sig-USE
Prof Lisa Given has been elected Chair of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIST)’s Sig-USE, 2013-2014. Sig-USE seeks to ‘promote contextual studies of human information-related behavior and provision of information services and to encourage the application of the study results to information systems design.’ Prof Given will take up the position at the Association’s annual conference in Montreal, Canada, in November 2013. Additional details about Sig-USE can be found at http://siguse.wordpress.com/.
SIS Student Conference Award winner attends CAIS
PhD student Rebekah Willson attended the Canadian Association of Information Science (CAIS) conference in Victoria, BC, Canada in June, presenting on 'Using transition theory in information behaviour research: addressing change in personal narratives.' In her presentation, Becky defined transitions from the research literature and discussed several aspects of transitions including bounded change, temporality, spatiality and liminality. She then detailed how transitions have been addressed in current information behaviour research and how transition theory could make further contributions. Becky's trip was partly supported by one of the first of two SIS Student Conference Awards.
SIS joins the iSchools
The School has been admitted to the international iSchools organization, which promotes the study of information in all its facets. There are over 50 universities represented amongst the iSchools, from all over the world. CSU is the third Australian university to join. The iSchools website is at http://ischools.org; the other iSchools are listed at http://ischools.org/directory.
Student Awards
Several students received awards at a ceremony hosted by the Faculty of Education on the Wagga campus. Kathryn Unsworth (Bachelor of Information Studies) and Catherine Rigg (Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship)) each received a Dean’s Merit Award, while Naomi Newton (BIS), Sharon Lewis (BIS), Catherine Thomas (BASLIM), Kimberly Hughes (BIS), Sharon Groch (BIS) received Head of School Achievement Awards. The two Dean’s Merit Award winners are pictured with the Dean, Professor Toni Downes.
Catherine Rigg (above) and Kathryn Unsworth (below) accepting their Dean's Merit Awards
Visiting Scholar Professor Donald Case visits the Information Practices Research Group
The Information Practices Research Group, under the direction of Dr. Anne Lloyd, hosted Professor Donald Case, from the University of Kentucky, for an intensive week of research learning and conversation, from 29 April to 3 May, 2013. During the week with the group, Dr. Case presented three thought provoking public seminars and worked with the group and with individual members on strengthening their research and publishing capacity. His first seminar, co-sponsored by the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, was entitled “I'd Rather Not Know": Ways of Thinking and Talking about Information Avoidance. In Wagga Wagga, he shared his thoughts on Mapping Information Behaviour research onto other disciplines during the School of Information Studies’ Research Seminar series and on Finding the right publication for your work: Lessons learned over 30 years as part of the Research Philosopher’s Café series. The IP group members were unanimous in their praise for Dr. Case’s style of working with researchers and with his ability to synthesize knowledge and share his vast wealth of knowledge and experience with them and others. They identified a number of benefits they had gained from his visits, including ways of thinking about collaborating across disciplines and how to respectfully and thoughtfully incorporate theory and ideas from other disciplines into their research.
Professor Donald Case (middle) with several IP group members.
New report for schools released
The New Media Consortium, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), with the support of HP, produced the NMC Horizon Report > 2013 K-12 Edition, which has been released at the NMC Summer Conference. Course Director, Judy O’Connell represented the Australian university sector as a member of the international Advisory Board. This fifth edition in the annual K-12 series of the NMC Horizon Project examines emerging technologies for their potential impact on and use in teaching, learning, and creative inquiry within the environment of pre-college education. Six emerging technologies are identified across three adoption horizons over the next one to five years, as well as key trends and challenges expected to continue over the same period, giving educators, school administrators, and practitioners a valuable guide for strategic technology planning. The report is available for download > NMC Horizon Report > 2013 K-12 Edition.
Lecturer wins award from alma mater
Transform student learning
A teacher librarian, within a 21st century learning environment, is an instructional leader, curriculum designer, consultant, mediator for students and staff to achieve best practice in learning. The Australian School Library Association (ASLA) is calling upon Australian educational decision makers to employ teacher librarians as part of the solution to improve national student learning and literacy. The association's report, Future learning and school libraries, highlights the positive role of teacher librarians in supporting future learning within the school. Course Director, Judy O'Connell, represented The School of Information Studies on the five-person development panel drawn from key stakeholder groups related to school libraries and teacher librarianship in Australia. The report, which was backed by a review of the research literature and extensive community consultation with principals and education agencies, emphasises the need for enhanced professional education to ensure that all Australian students benefit from the professional knowledge, practice and commitment of a teacher librarian at their school. The Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) course continues to be a national leader in the provision of postgraduate training in this field.
NSW State Library Innovation Project
Course Director, Judy O’Connell, was the invited speaker at the NSW State Library staff professional development session held on 18 April 2013. This was part of the The NSW State Library’s Innovation Project which is facilitating use of specific social media tools to deliver library services. The project takes a ‘launch to learn’ approach with working parties and professional development sessions to foster staff engagement. The latest initiative is the 23 Mobile Things which is exploring ways that libraries and library staff can use mobile technologies to deliver library services in order to engage with their communities and for their own professional development. Judy’s presentation explored Learning in Networks of Knowledge for information practice within library services, and to support the needs of tertiary students.
New research methods book
A SIS staff member, Dr Kirsty Williamson, is the lead editor of a new book, Research Methods: Information, Systems and Contexts. The book is a wide-ranging guide to theory and practice, aimed at researchers who need to pursue their own investigations efficiently and in depth. It is ideal for all kinds of information research: for library and information studies, information systems, archives and recordkeeping, and knowledge management.
In her foreword, Professor Lisa Given says: “The book that you are about to read provides a fresh perspective on research in information science. There is something for everyone here – whether you are new to research in the discipline, or whether you are a seasoned scholar looking for new and inspiring ideas.”
The book, which is suitable for PhD students as well as more experienced researchers, is available from Tilde University Press (www.tup.net.au).
New lecturer joins the School
Dr Kasey Garrison has joined the School as a Lecturer in Information Studies. Kasey recently completed her PhD, entitled, ‘This intense desire to know the world: factors influencing the selection of multicultural children's literature’, at Old Dominion University in the US. Her research and teaching interests include diversity and depictions of culture in children's literature and the availability of global literature for children and young adults. Kasey also holds a Masters in Education and a BA in Spanish.
New book by A/Prof Philip Hider
Philip Hider has had his new book, Information Resource Description, published by Facet in the UK and ALA Editions in the US. The book introduces the field of information organisation using a broad conceptual framework, covering a wide range of contexts, and examining metadata as both a product and process of the contemporary digital environment. More details can be found at http://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/title.php?id=6671.
Rebekah Willson, a PhD student at SIS, will present Focusing on experiences of change: Applying Transitions Theory to information behaviour research on Wednesday, 9 October at 12:30 pm (AEDT). This seminar will be at SIS on the Wagga Wagga campus, and available live online through Abode Connect. More details here...
