Getting to Grips with Knowledge Management

Whether you have dismissed knowledge management as simply “management speak”, whether you have pessimistically stated “it is OK in theory but it will never happen” or whether you see it as a marvellous development opportunity, Knowledge Management is here to stay. Where the FOLIO course Getting to Grips with Knowledge Management can help is by taking it out of the conference venue and putting it right here on the shop floor. Yes, there will be a little bit of the theory here and there but only enough to explain the concept – the emphasis will be on practical steps and on case studies of NHS KM practice. This is the last FOLIO course before the summer break so why not enrol now and learn alongside NHS colleagues from across the country.

Because of the undoubted popularity of this particular topic places are limited to the first fifty application forms received between Friday 13^th May and Tuesday 7^th June. The course will run from Monday 13th June 2005 until Friday 22nd July. Participants then have a two-week portfolio preparation period before submitting work done on the course. A certificate is awarded for all successful portfolios. 

You are eligible for a FREE place on the above course if you:

1. Work in a UK library or information service AND
2. Provide services to NHS staff (this can also include academic, professional or charity based services)

What is required of you:

• You will receive an average of one email per day for a six week period
• You will be required to complete two brief tasks per week, typically in association with a buddy or discussion group.
• You will be required to read briefings, view powerpoints, and complete quizzes
• Upon completion of the course you will have a further two weeks to complete a portfolio compiling the course exercises
• Successful completion of the portfolio will result in a certificate – extensions are available under special circumstances (e.g. workload, illness or part-time working)

For a clearer idea of what the course involves look at the contents of the previous and current courses: http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/folio/complete.htm

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Fill out the expression of interest at:  http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/folio/register9.doc  and return it to [log in to unmask] . The first 50 applications as timestamped by their covering email will all be considered for the course. Anyone eligible may apply but preference may be given to those who have not previously undertaken a FOLIO course.

Note: You don’t have to be a FOLIO participant to benefit from our series of useful briefings produced to support the courses: http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/folio/complete.htm 

Getting to Grips with Knowledge Management

Course aim...

This course aims to provide practical skills in delivering knowledge management techniques that are feasible at a local or organisational level. The course will be supported by real-life case studies and practical tasks and exercises.

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of knowledge management in health care.
• Identify the main considerations to be taken into account when planning a knowledge management strategy.
• Use knowledge management tools to meet the needs of their organisation or community
• Prepare a planned approach to developing a “community of practice”.
• Identify strategies to enable you to sell the benefits of knowledge management at an organisational or local level.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge management techniques.
• Engage with fellow participants in discussing issues connected with practical knowledge management problems and situations.

What is FOLIO?

·         FOLIO is a programme of online learning for health librarians. FOLIO forms part of the NeLH Librarian Development Programme which was established to provide support for librarians moving into new roles, focusing on the development of skills in health informatics and knowledge management, especially related to digital libraries.

·         For an overview of the FOLIO programme, see the 'FOLIO: Off-the-shelf learning for librarians' presentation [Delivered on June 3rd 2004 at the 'Supporting Online Learning 2: Embedding and Linking' seminar, run by the Northwest Multimedia and Information Technology Group].

Why online learning?

• FOLIO was set up because librarians often find it difficult to get away from the workplace to attend training, whether because of staff shortages, limited budgets, travel time or other difficulties.

How has FOLIO come about?

• FOLIO was introduced as a pilot during Spring 2003, to deliver online training to librarians at a time and place convenient to them. Read the evaluation report of the pilot.

What will FOLIO look like?

• The FOLIO programme will build on lessons learned during the pilot. The programme will comprise 12 modules delivered over 2 years. There will be 40-50 places available on each module.

Who is involved?

·         FOLIO is delivered by a team based at ScHARR, University of Sheffield. It is commissioned by the National electronic Library for Health.

• The FOLIO Curriculum Group plan the syllabus. The group includes representatives from the CILIP Health Libraries Group and the LKDN Workforce Development Group; an e-learning expert; a graduate of the FOLIO pilot; as well as the suppliers and commissioners.

How can I find out more?

·         If you have a specific question, please use our Feedback service.