DLI Training Principles

The pedagogical foundations

Mike SivyerTrain the Trainers Montreal, March 8, 2004

Principle 1Training under this program is being

conducted specifically for DLI contacts at participating universities;The staff who will provide services for

DLI data at these institutions;Statistics Canada staff directly involved

in the support of providing access to data for the academic sector.

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Principle 1Training under this program is

being conducted specifically for DLI contacts at participating

universities* the staff who will provide services for

DLI data at these institutions*Statistics Canada staff directly involved

in the support of providing access to data for the academic

*One member per institution will receive a travel subsidy

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Principle 1 ExplainedThis principle describes explicitly the

target groups of DLI training.DLI Contacts at member institutions;Staff at member institutions who provide

reference or technical support for DLI resources;

Staff in DLI Central;Staff in RDCs and within initiatives aimed

at broadening access to data for the academic sector.

Principle 1 ExplainedOthers may benefit from DLI

workshops, but these groups remain the focus in the design and delivery of DLI training.

Where contentions may arise, preference will be given to meeting the needs of the first three groups.

Principle 2Training will be provided to all of

those eligible under the first principle through a variety of formats, including subsidized workshops that are delivered regionally.

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Principle 2 ExplainedThere are three ways that DLI training

will try to minimize the impact of certain challenges or impediments to learning. DLI training will:Accommodate different learning styles;Increase access to workshops;Provide some financial assistance.

A Variety of FormatsThis principle acknowledges the variety

of learning styles through which people best acquire new skills. We strive to incorporate in DLI workshops formats that touch upon the predominant styles rooted in hearing, seeing, and doing things.

In today’s educational vocabulary, this involves “active learning” methods.

Regional & Subsidized

Delivery will be kept as close to home as possible by organizing regional workshops. In some regions, this will entail hosting a DLI workshop occasionally.

To encourage participation in DLI workshops, funds will be made available to subsidize one DLI representative from each DLI member institution for each regional workshop.

Principle 3

The first training priority is to establish a basic level of data service skills for new DLI Contacts. This training shall be considered the entry level required to work with DLI data. More advanced training will build upon previous levels. Priorities for advanced levels will be determined by the needs of those supporting data services and by the evolution of DLI.

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Principle 3 ExplainedThe first priority is to establish a

baseline of skill competencies in working with DLI resources.

This priority expresses the desire to provide a level playing field for access to DLI resources across all types of institutions and patrons.

Principle 3 ExplainedTeaching skills that go beyond the

baseline competencies will also be provided through DLI workshops.

These skills will build upon the basics.

The “advanced” skills will reflect both the needs of those providing data services support and new skills required to support changes in DLI products.

Principle 4Training priorities for Phase II will

address varying levels of expertise and service within the DLI community. Special attention will be given to strengthening expertise in regions undergoing changes due to retirement or turnover among experienced DLI Contacts. (continued)

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Principle 4Special attention will be given to regions

without a prior tradition or culture of data use or without a previous foundation in data services. This will entail strategies that identify the training and support of key individuals who will become recognized experts in their region.

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Principle 4 ExplainedThe focus for Phase II training

involves an explicit goal to build a foundation of expertise within the four regions.

The motivation for this goal is the changing demographics that are happening in our workplace and will continue to occur over the next five to ten years.

Principle 4 ExplainedFurther motivation for this goal is

found in our desire to strengthen and to equalize the data culture in all four regions and to establish strong data service traditions.

The Train-the-Trainers Workshop initiates this plan to develop, train, and support experts in all regions.

Principle 5All training will be conducted from a

'service' perspective, that is, from a point of view that focuses on the clientele of DLI data. The purpose of this training is to prepare data services staff to assist university clients with DLI data.

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Principle 5 ExplainedDLI training is intended to transfer the

skills needed by those individuals who will be assisting the end-users of DLI resources. The data service providers are not usually seen as the end-users.

DLI is about providing “access” to data and statistical information for ones local institution.

Principle 5 ExplainedA “service perspective” is important

because it keeps training focused on knowing how to support DLI resources.

We will teach some statistical and research skills to enhance understanding in providing data services. But we aren’t training people to become statisticians nor are we making social researchers out of trainees.

Principle 6A global curriculum plan will guide the

course content that is offered through this program. The DLI External Advisory Committee will be ultimately responsible for maintaining this plan and, in conjunction with the Regional Training Coordinators and the Education committee, periodically reviewing its content and direction.

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Principle 6 Explained Training will take place within the context of

a nationally agreed curriculum that should assist Regional Training Coordinators in structuring regional workshops.

DLI has an on-going, regionally representative Education Committee to recommend changes to the curriculum and to present other training policies and procedures for consideration and approval.

Principle 6 ExplainedThe DLI External Advisory Committee

(EAC) takes ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving this curriculum, in consultation with the DLI membership.

Principle 7Training will address concerns

appropriate both to small and large institutions.

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Principle 7 ExplainedDLI was established to provide

affordable and equitable access to Statistics Canada’s standard data products to all member institutions regardless of the size of institution, geographic location of the institution, or the instructional or research mandate of the institution.

Therefore, training must be relevant to all institutional sizes, locations, and mandates.

Principle 8Training will be regionally based with

regular national and international exposure when the opportunities arise.

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Principle 8 ExplainedThe strength of DLI training will

remain with the regional delivery of its workshops. There are, however, good reasons to meet occasionally at a national training event (possibly every four years in conjunction with the IASSIST conference in Canada).

Principle 8 ExplainedWorkshops provide an opportunity to

network with colleagues in data services. Another way of looking at this is that workshops help to create community among those providing support for DLI products. We wish this community to develop nationally as well as regionally.

Principle 8 ExplainedData services takes place within an

international context, too. Therefore when the opportunity presents itself, DLI training will also be scheduled to allow those providing support for DLI to participate in an international data event.

Principle 9Whenever possible, trainers will be

recruited from the existing Canadian data library community with the expectation that those who are trained may some day be called upon to train others. This perspective operates on the principle that as one learns, one will teach.

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Principle 9 ExplainedDLI training is based on peer-to-peer

instruction. We believe that the most helpful training comes from someone who understands what it is that you do on your job.

A peer not only is more likely to know what you face in your work, but will also be able to communicate more clearly the information and skills needed for your job.

Principle 9 ExplainedAs providers of data service, we are

in a specialized field that draws upon data collection methods, computing technologies, research methods, quantitative analysis, information management, and library reference methods.

How these related fields come together in data services is what makes us specialists.

Principle 9 ExplainedOur training must draw from across

these fields. Consequently, we believe the most relevant instruction will come from a peer.

One result of this position is that, for the most part, we have done our own teaching in DLI, which has meant that we have taken turns instructing. As we have learned, we have agreed to teach others in data services.

Principle 10Outreach will be organized for Library

directors, the user community, STC survey managers, and other general public to communicate the importance of statistical and data literacy.

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Principle 10 ExplainedThe prospect of a healthy data culture in

Canada is dependent on us taking our message about DLI and data services to sectors related to our work.

This includes the powers that fund and support our local data services, such as library directors, and the powers who create data in Statistics Canada and who determine its levels of access.

Principle 10 ExplainedOur message must also be more

widely disseminated among the potential end-users on our campuses, and the importance of data and statistical literacy needs to be communicated to the general public.

A society that practices evidence-based decision-making requires access to the data that constitutes the evidence.

Principle 10 ExplainedThis will require a nationally-

coordinated action plan that will: Use local resources to address local

constituencies;Put DLI on the agenda of national

groups such as CARL, SSHRC, etc.;Use Statistics Canada personnel to

spread the message throughout the Agency; and

Continue to build evidence in the efficacy of the programme.