Developing a LIS curriculum in collaboration with social media as a delivery and communication tool: a Bachelors degree curriculum model for inclusion of LIS professionals through lateral entry

Abstract

This paper presents a curriculum model embracing social media as a mediating and facilitating tool in offering Bachelors Honors in Library & Information Studies (BA Hons. in LIS) degree designed by the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) library in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. The programme is the first bachelor’s degree in LIS offered in open and distance learning (ODL) mode in Sri Lanka by a state University, ensuring the inclusion of library professionals working in remote, distant and backward areas to obtain accredited LIS qualification to upgrade their qualifications with a degree. The programme consists of 30 courses (120 credits) and each course is meticulously designed with three major components in hybrid mode; Teaching & Learning(T & L), Assessment and industrial training. T & L component consists of Written Learning Materials, Self Learning Sessions, Demonstrations and PracticalSessions. Assessment part consists of both formative andsummative methods. In this programme incorporation of social media will ideally be used to keep the students active and connected with the faculty throughout the programme to ensure to retain them with the university till successful completion. The SLS hours within T&L component is the main section where social media (SM) is planned to be incorporated in a criteria where students comes into contact with the teacher and supplementary materials and demonstrations. By incorporating social media it is expected that the students to be more interactive with the teachers and expected to accomplish their learning targets effectively and to minimize the dropouts of students due to less face to face components provided in ODL mode. The BA LIS programme is the 3rd professional degree offered by the OUSL.