Alison Fields | Independent Scholar (original) (raw)
Book and Journal Editorship by Alison Fields
Papers by Alison Fields
An online community of learning within a distance doctoral programme was explored to determine if... more An online community of learning within a distance doctoral programme was explored to determine if and how the community evolved and transformed over time. This part-time doctoral programme gathers students into cohorts and runs a structured community with students and faculty for 18 months before students confirm candidatures and begin individual work with their own supervisors for the remaining 4–5 years of study. In particular, this study sought to determine if and
how the community of learning continued and developed after the 18 months of shared structured learning had been completed. This research was initiated and conducted by the students, giving insights into the community from the students’ perspective. Findings are that the community has survived and will continue in the short-term at least, but with fewer members and operating in a different manner. There has been an ongoing transformation of the community, largely driven by choice and necessity.
Purpose: This investigation aims to highlight the need for the information professions globally ... more Purpose: This investigation aims to highlight the need for the information professions globally to value diverse knowledge paradigms in a world where people from diverse cultures and backgrounds interact with information on a daily basis. We provide examples from the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession in New Zealand which has been shaped by socially and culturally inclusive education and practices which take into account diverse ways of knowing and understanding the world and information.
Design: An investigation into socially and culturally inclusive LIS education initiatives worldwide contextualises a discussion of current LIS curricula in New Zealand and their delivery. The achievements and challenges in LIS education, the library profession and library service are considered alongside the rich and varied nature of New Zealand society and the provision and accessibility of library services.
Findings: LIS education is at the start of this process, and New Zealand education providers promote a range of socially and culturally inclusive practices within their programmes resulting in LIS graduates who are equipped to make on-going contributions to an inclusive society through their professional work. We conclude that these three inseparable components of LIS in New Zealand result in social and cultural inclusion, but can always be further enhanced.
Originality/value: This chapter draws attention to the absence of consideration for non-Western knowledge paradigms in LIS curricula worldwide, and brings together diverse examples, mandating for library services and a library profession that reflect the rich social and cultural makeup of the communities we serve. We conclude that three inseparable components of LIS in New Zealand result in social and cultural inclusion, and there is always opportunity for further enhancement.
This editorial provides insights into the processes of scholarly publishing, at a time of handove... more This editorial provides insights into the processes of scholarly publishing, at a time of handover to a new editorial team, to publicise evidence of quality processes and leadership. Publishing trends are also briefly identified. The issue also publishes the first set of papers that have been further developed from the research stream of the 2014 biennial conference of The New Zealand Association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning (DEANZ). We are happy to be able to include papers that represent the wide area of open, flexible, and distance learning supported by our Aotearoa New Zealand association. We start with a paper on using learning management systems to support personalised learning in primary schools, and this is followed by papers situated in the tertiary sector on software literacy in a university's programmes, embedded librarians in the tertiary sector, and research into social work. The final paper provides a literature review on the highly topical subject of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The editorial puts the papers into current contexts globally and within the region to inform the field worldwide.
The Australian Library Journal, 2003
New Zealand has a small group of consultants and contractors working within the fields of records... more New Zealand has a small group of consultants and contractors working within the fields of records management, librarianship, archives, information management and knowledge management. Members of this group usually find, negotiate and manage their own work, ...
NEW ZEALAND LIBRARIES, 1995
Fields, A. (2014). Engaging learner support: An investigation of faculty-library collaboration to... more Fields, A. (2014). Engaging learner support: An investigation of faculty-library collaboration to provide live course-specific learner support in the online classroom environment. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning 18(10), 46-57.
An online community of learning within a distance doctoral programme was explored to determine if... more An online community of learning within a distance doctoral programme was explored to determine if and how the community evolved and transformed over time. This part-time doctoral programme gathers students into cohorts and runs a structured community with students and faculty for 18 months before students confirm candidatures and begin individual work with their own supervisors for the remaining 4–5 years of study. In particular, this study sought to determine if and
how the community of learning continued and developed after the 18 months of shared structured learning had been completed. This research was initiated and conducted by the students, giving insights into the community from the students’ perspective. Findings are that the community has survived and will continue in the short-term at least, but with fewer members and operating in a different manner. There has been an ongoing transformation of the community, largely driven by choice and necessity.
Purpose: This investigation aims to highlight the need for the information professions globally ... more Purpose: This investigation aims to highlight the need for the information professions globally to value diverse knowledge paradigms in a world where people from diverse cultures and backgrounds interact with information on a daily basis. We provide examples from the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession in New Zealand which has been shaped by socially and culturally inclusive education and practices which take into account diverse ways of knowing and understanding the world and information.
Design: An investigation into socially and culturally inclusive LIS education initiatives worldwide contextualises a discussion of current LIS curricula in New Zealand and their delivery. The achievements and challenges in LIS education, the library profession and library service are considered alongside the rich and varied nature of New Zealand society and the provision and accessibility of library services.
Findings: LIS education is at the start of this process, and New Zealand education providers promote a range of socially and culturally inclusive practices within their programmes resulting in LIS graduates who are equipped to make on-going contributions to an inclusive society through their professional work. We conclude that these three inseparable components of LIS in New Zealand result in social and cultural inclusion, but can always be further enhanced.
Originality/value: This chapter draws attention to the absence of consideration for non-Western knowledge paradigms in LIS curricula worldwide, and brings together diverse examples, mandating for library services and a library profession that reflect the rich social and cultural makeup of the communities we serve. We conclude that three inseparable components of LIS in New Zealand result in social and cultural inclusion, and there is always opportunity for further enhancement.
This editorial provides insights into the processes of scholarly publishing, at a time of handove... more This editorial provides insights into the processes of scholarly publishing, at a time of handover to a new editorial team, to publicise evidence of quality processes and leadership. Publishing trends are also briefly identified. The issue also publishes the first set of papers that have been further developed from the research stream of the 2014 biennial conference of The New Zealand Association for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning (DEANZ). We are happy to be able to include papers that represent the wide area of open, flexible, and distance learning supported by our Aotearoa New Zealand association. We start with a paper on using learning management systems to support personalised learning in primary schools, and this is followed by papers situated in the tertiary sector on software literacy in a university's programmes, embedded librarians in the tertiary sector, and research into social work. The final paper provides a literature review on the highly topical subject of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The editorial puts the papers into current contexts globally and within the region to inform the field worldwide.
The Australian Library Journal, 2003
New Zealand has a small group of consultants and contractors working within the fields of records... more New Zealand has a small group of consultants and contractors working within the fields of records management, librarianship, archives, information management and knowledge management. Members of this group usually find, negotiate and manage their own work, ...
NEW ZEALAND LIBRARIES, 1995
Fields, A. (2014). Engaging learner support: An investigation of faculty-library collaboration to... more Fields, A. (2014). Engaging learner support: An investigation of faculty-library collaboration to provide live course-specific learner support in the online classroom environment. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning 18(10), 46-57.
Library Review, Jan 1, 2007
Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the differing views on and needs of librarians and their man... more Purpose – This paper aims to analyse the differing views on and needs of librarians and their managers for continuing professional development (CPD).
Design/methodology/approach – This article draws on the findings of a survey conducted by the authors in 2005. The survey was an assessment of the CPD needs of New Zealand's librarians and library assistants.
Findings – There is a significant gap between the CPD that individuals want, and that which their managers think they should have. Organisations overall need a greater strategic focus on CPD to ensure that budgets are spent well, staff are appropriately skilled, and the impact of CPD on both individuals and the organisation is tangible. Individuals need to take more responsibility for ensuring their needs are met.
Originality/value – Highlights a dual focus on CPD across the profession, in the light of the decision by the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa to adopt professional registration.
Journal of Open, …, Jan 1, 2011
New Zealand Library & Information Management Journal,, 2010
In E. Leonard & E. McCaffrey (Eds.), Virtually embedded: the librarian in an online environment (pp. 67-77). Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries., 2014