An undergraduate course in Business and Management and Education.

This course is for information professionals – librarians, archivists, information and knowledge managers – looking to keep up to date with modern technologies, sources of information and today’s users.

It is for those in the profession who wish to stay relevant in this fast-changing world of information, find out how other information services are facing the challenge and consider ways of proving their worth in the Google age. Among all the issues that the course covers, you will be given the opportunity to reflect on the possible consequences for your service of a new generation of ‘Homo zappien’ users, try out games developed for library users and archivists and consider the implications of the 7 Ps for marketing your service.

N.B. This course is due for review and we acknowledge that in areas where the technology has advanced very fast, there may be elements which have dated, although the general principles are still valid.

Register for the course

What you will study

Building on the different perspectives of four information professionals (a health information worker, an assistant librarian in a Public Library, an archivist and an academic library manager) the course looks at the new information environment and its increased personalisation and immediacy – the affordances of mobile technologies and the facilitation of user-generated content and tagging. The implications for information services brought about by new learners – the Netgeneration and computer game players – are explored as is the ‘everything for free?’ mentality centred around the increasingly digital media and publishing industries. The course concludes with activities centred on the costing and marketing of information services.

You will learn

When completed, participants will:

• be aware of the major challenges and questions facing the library and information profession
• know about some of the latest developments in search technology and how that impacts on the profession
• understand the significance and potential of social networking in an information environment
• be able to describe and use a range of tools to organise and tag information
• understand some of the implications of mobile technology and virtual worlds
• be aware of some of the major shifts in learning and some of the emerging information behaviours of the digital age
• be aware of the impact of changes in the media and publishing industries on user expectations
• be aware of the political and economic pressures on library services and the potential responses to these
• understand the importance of positive self presentation
• have considered the implications of the above for themselves, their users and their service.

The strong link between course learning and work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. The course will take approximately 30 hours to study and includes Web text, self assessment questions and activities. The course contains a series of bite-size chunks each devoted to both technical and managerial topics. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!

The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University (OU) from its years of expertise in work-based learning:

• The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
• The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
• A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. This is built up from short activities during the course, leading to a final Report and plan for action. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
• Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (NB The course does not carry academic credit points.)

Entry

Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some experience in the field and the course assumes a familiarity with the subject.

For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability or additional requirement

The study materials are delivered online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our publication Meeting Your Needs.

Study materials

What's included

All learning materials, exercises, study support and the work-based activity are delivered entirely online.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course which includes online activities. You can only access these using a web browser with Flash and Java.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer since 2006 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.5 or later.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Learner support

Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GT067 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.

Work-based activity

The work-based activity for this course is a written report and has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity that you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.

Professional recognition

Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate that you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Children's literature (EA300)
• Bon départ: beginners' French (L192)
• The story of maths (TM190)
• Beginners French for primary teaching (GE054)
• The arts past and present (AA100)

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

Study explained

Time

– find out how much time is required to complete OU study. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.

Costs

- find out how much you can expect to pay.

Study explained

- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

Your questions

We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.

Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

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