LR STAR

Supporting Technology and Resources Programme

Email LR-Innovation for more information

What is the LR STAR Programme

Learning Resources Supporting Technology and Resources is a new programme designed to build a community of staff and students working together on projects, devising new training opportunities, mentoring staff and students to build confidence in using Brookes platforms, and researching new ways to innovate. There are a variety of LR STAR activities and self-directed learning to help STARS (Supporting Technology and Resources Students) build confidence in their digital capabilities and improve digital literacy across the University.

The STAR programme activities and resources are designed to help students and staff develop employability skills, especially in consultancy, mentorship, problem-solving, and teamwork. These activities tie into the BrookesEDGE co-curricular scheme; and all LR STAR programme activities can be used as evidence and activities for the EDGE award.

LR STARS (Supporting Technology and Resources Students) can either operate in a first-response capacity or in roles that are behind the scenes to offer advice and guidance.

Ready to join the LR STARS?

LR STARS gain:

Enhancement for their CV.

experience in consultancy, resource development, mentoring, training, and/or customer service.
experience and participation in University-wide student experience projects.
membership in a collaborative community of digital capabilities practice.

Awareness of priorities informing practice in different disciplines and areas of study.
Confidence in professional and academic environments.

Being a part of the LR STAR programme contributes to the graduate attribute of Digital and Information literacy including ‘skills and practices necessary to become a confident, agile, adopter of a range of technologies for personal, academic and professional use.'

LR STARS essential qualities:

Willingness to work with staff and students in a sensitive and supportive way.
Problem-Solving and troubleshooting skills.
Being able to work flexibly while delivering assigned tasks on time.
Approachability and confidence when working in collaboration with others.
Ability to work alone and successfully plan and execute a solo project.
Willingness to engage actively in reflection and record keeping such as:

maintaining personal activity logs.
keeping records and reflections on digital literacies and research tools you and others are developing and using in academic and workplace settings.
collating, responding to, and passing on feedback.

Researchers

Woman holding a laptop in a relaxed setting

What do researchers do?

explore how digital literacy and technologies are used in different settings.
develop digital research literacy and explore academic integrity.
develop good practice in handling confidential data, digital copyright, and Brookes intellectual property.

Current Activities for Researchers:

Digital Capabilities for Students Course
Academic Integrity Course
Copyright for Publication Course
Work with the Technology Engagement Group and new tools and platforms, such as: Artsteps, Padlet, Wikimedia, and more.

Resource Creators

What do resource creators do?

create, adapt, and develop resources for a range of settings and purposes.
develop new resources, including projects and commissions from academic and professional staff.
learn project planning for adopting new digital resources for teaching and learning purposes including the piloting, testing, and evaluation phases.

Current Activities for Resource Creators:

We are recruiting Social Media advisors for faculties and directorates, including the Library UEEG.
3D modelling, 3D printing, Photogrammetry, and VR production and expositions.
Work with special collections, including photography and photogrammetry.

Two woman looking at a tablet in a relaxed setting

Trainers

Man speaking to a group of students with laptops in an informal setting

What do trainers do?

work with learning and technical professionals on special projects.
work in teams or solo to guide staff in enabling functional access with University platforms (e.g. the VLE, Feedback Studio, and GoogleApps).
work in teams or solo to suggest new developments and present ideas to a range of audiences.

Proposed Activities for Trainers:

Leading how-to sessions: using Mac and iOS.
Building and contributing to the Student knowledge base.

Mentors

What do mentors do?

advise staff on a one-to-one basis on topics that concern them.
create a profile that will help those seeking your assistance, focussing on your core digital capabilities.
encourage and maintain contact with your mentees to assist them in expanding their digital capabilities.

Current training and opportunities for mentors are provided on demand by lr-innovation team members. The current programme of ePioneering will be incorporated into this section of the LR STAR programme. If you have questions or would like to request training please do email lr-innovation@brookes.ac.uk