Master of Information Studies programme postgraduate SME meeting on 23/05/2016

Gillian Oliver – Programmes Director

Chris King – Senior Administrator

Paul, Jane and Nick

What the programme covers

There is confusion between Master of Information Management (for IT managers) and Master of Information Studies (for librarians and archivists), especially since librarians often call themselves “information managers”. A solution could be to refer to this as 'inforamtion systems management'.

Key messages

Distance learning

Distance learning - Can do whole programme by distance and usually is, this is different from other Victoria courses.

Prospective students repeatedly don't understand this can be done remotely.

[Seems to appeal to audience – most Wellington students choose to study by distance]

Online communities: Blackboard, online conferencing system

[Sounded like it was hard going getting students involved though]

Have established reputation and market in librarian side of things [Gillian as an archivist would like to expand that], businesses with librarians know about course

Only PG programme for librarians [combine with current pitch – PG/Masters needed these days to become a librarian]

Have strong links with professional bodies

Entry and stair-casing

Cert/Dip/Masters

You must have Honours, so many students come in via the Dip

Some also use to test/trial/try-out if they want to complete the full programme, this can come from being uncertain if they are ready for study. Most students start with a Diploma, very uncertain students start in Certificate.

Don’t promote the exit qualification, this is a hidden benefit, don't promote as the University is 'punished' as this is recorded as an incomplete

Bachelor degrees often Arts, Comms, teaching

Some are working (e.g. as library assistants) [How many? If lots then info for people returning to study is more important.]

Often students need to be talked through the OES. 

Future: working on a minor for BCom so there is a clear pathway. Otherwise feed from the History and Teaching majors. 

Terminology

They use ‘staircasing’

They like the term ‘professional’ - to them this means 'career path to professional roles'

Not post-experience – no experience requirement

FAQs

Can I apply?

Can I cross-credit?

How do I apply/what are steps?

What are the fees?

Can I study part time?

• This is quite common.
• Matters for StudyLink student loans.
• Students don’t realise they can tee up a student loan in case they study without committing to borrowing any money.

Specialisations/structure/what you study

Mostly remote and sometimes in Auckland

Library Science (LIBS) or Archives and Records Management (ARCR) specialisations

LIBS is bigger than ARCR, but ARCR is growing

Students like these

Some do both (takes a bit longer) by doing a few more courses

Don't have to choose the specialisation upfront but the OES might be forcing this and it could be seen as a disincentive 

They increase employability

Lots of emails as students are remote.

Interaction: Blackboard, conference calls, email list, some attend classes (very few - 2 students in class and 23 working online)

Current numbers

50-70 students per year

c. 203 across all programmes

[Biggest PG programme]

Wide range of ages.

Mixture of people with experience and people straight from the degree.

Consider:

• Writing a clarification note that can go on either page, explaining the difference between Master of Information Management and Master of Information Studies
• Thinking about whether we need standard content block or note about Studylink
• Checking how many students have been/are now working