RE: [LIS-Forum] Communication Skills- LIS-DLIS, Mysore initiatives
Dear Dr Shalini I am very happy to read your succinct statements on the importance of Language and Communication skills. Laudable are your efforts in DLIS to tackle the problem of Language deficiencies among LIS students. I suggest that all other Universities too may try to include a paper on Communication & personality development and teach this topic with equal seriousness. Many senior working librarians and LIS teachers act as resource persons during interviews to select librarians. They have lot of ideas about the situation obtaining now and they may have solutions too. LIS schools may benefit by obtaining this 'knowledge' from Interviewers through some survey/study. Such studies would indicate not only gaps in Language skills but in other areas as well. If the results of the study are used, there is a possibility of market demands being met fully by the products turned by LIS schools. Regards Vyasamoorthy, P ============== -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Shalini R Urs Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 6:00 PM To: LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Cc: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Communication Skills- LIS-DLIS, Mysore initiatives Dear Friends, Having followed with interest the discussion in this regard, I thought of sharing the following with you all. * Criticality of 'Language' as a conduit for 'carrying knowledge' and as an inevitable means of expressing and articulating ones ideas cannot be over emphasised. * Ideas/Knowledge is as good as it is packaged and presented in a medium. Let us not forget the McLuhian 'Medium is the message' axiom * Ranganathan's 'three planes of work' concept in the realm of Classification applies to all aspects of work in general. It is important that we understand the influence and impact of the verbal plane on the idea plane and vice versa * The field of Psycholinguistics has wrestled with the issues of language , concept formation and thought processes without reaching a consensus * Our ancient Indic Scholars had very skillfully and adroitly explicated the importance of interplay of 'language or words' and 'thoughts and meanings' in this way- they recognised three genres of 'UKTI' (speeches or statements'): MANTRA (Vedic Verses); SHASTRA (or precepts-learned works); and KAVYA ( Poetry or literature in general). According to our sages, words and their meanings have different levels of 'import' in these three categories. In SHASTRA ( i.e. scientific knowledge' ) the language is a tool to learn, to understand the world and we reach out to the world outside through the language. Knowledge or truths (as knowledge was known as) is assimilated through the meanings of words. If the link between 'concepts' 'words' and meanings are broken, then the world of knowledge gets segregated resulting in a kind of turmoil. Since it is not possible to express knowledge without language, it is necessary THOUGH NOT PRIMARY We at DLIS, Mysore believing in the significance of Language and communication skills have always striven to help our students augment their language skills through a variety of activities. For example some years back, we used to conduct 'what is the good word' contest. Some of our recent efforts in this direction are- 1. In the new revised syllabus for M.L.I. Sc (coming to effect from the academic year 2005-2006), we have introduced one full paper on ' Personality development and communication skills' (carrying 100 marks) in the first semester (thanks to our Board of Studies, which deemed it fit to introduce this change). Visit our website- www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in http://www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in/ 2. We have also introduced a novel competition for the students. Recognizing the importance of reading habits in strengthening communication skills, a monthly newspaper reading and clipping contest with two prizes- of INR 100 and 75 -where in students identify, collect newspaper write ups relating to 'Information world' and submit a well presented and bound volume 3. Weekly 'English coaching classes' for students * the above two have been voluntary efforts and initiatives by the faculty Shalini -------- Dr.Shalini R. Urs Director Information and Communication Division & Professor and Chairperson Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore Mysore-570006 India Tele-91-821-2514699 Fax -91-821-2519209 homepage:www.vidyanidhi.org.in/shaliniurs.htm
While thanking Vyasamoothry for his response and kind words, let me also share some of the concerns (and the burden/responsibilities) and the challenges that we- the LIS educators face. 1. Given the fast paced changes that are sweeping the LIS world, evolving a right balance of 'conventional and contemporary topics' ; 'theoretical and practical aspects of the field is a major challenge 2 .It is also felt (justifiably so), that in our efforts to transit to the digital age, our students neither have a good grounding in the conventional areas (classification and cataloguing-which I still consider as the very core of the profession) nor the contemporary ones such as Dublin Core or Ontologies or DSAPCE or Greenstone. I guess there is the danger of falling between the two stools! 3. Meeting the demands of a heterogeneous 'employer market- ranging from a small college library to a KM centric corporate sector' is kind of tough 4. LIS schools (like in any university setting) are not 'Training Institutes' (there is a big difference between education and training) 5. We are expected to provide broad theoretical grounding- which is a long term thing, which may not be appreciated by the short term needs of 'employers' 6. We only have two years (or 4 semesters) at our disposal and we have a conventional examination system to contend with 7. Our students have to be taught the ABC of Libraries- as their exposure to and understanding of libraries is minimum, especially since our education system being what it is- it is not library centered 8. On top of it all- our students lack the general communication and other skills -tools that are required to imbibe the knowledge Some times we feel overwhelmed by these issues and do try to address them as best as we can, but then LIS teaching fraternity continues to be the favorite whipping boy of the LIS community Shalini -------- Dr.Shalini R. Urs Director Information and Communication Division & Professor and Chairperson Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore Mysore-570006 India Tele-91-821-2514699 Fax -91-821-2519209 homepage:www.vidyanidhi.org.in/shaliniurs.htm -----Original Message----- From: Vyasamoorthy@icicikp.com [mailto:Vyasamoorthy@icicikp.com] Sent: 01 March 2005 14:41 To: shalini@vidyanidhi.org.in; LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: RE: [LIS-Forum] Communication Skills- LIS-DLIS, Mysore initiatives Dear Dr Shalini I am very happy to read your succinct statements on the importance of Language and Communication skills. Laudable are your efforts in DLIS to tackle the problem of Language deficiencies among LIS students. I suggest that all other Universities too may try to include a paper on Communication & personality development and teach this topic with equal seriousness. Many senior working librarians and LIS teachers act as resource persons during interviews to select librarians. They have lot of ideas about the situation obtaining now and they may have solutions too. LIS schools may benefit by obtaining this 'knowledge' from Interviewers through some survey/study. Such studies would indicate not only gaps in Language skills but in other areas as well. If the results of the study are used, there is a possibility of market demands being met fully by the products turned by LIS schools. Regards Vyasamoorthy, P ============== -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Shalini R Urs Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 6:00 PM To: LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Cc: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Communication Skills- LIS-DLIS, Mysore initiatives Dear Friends, Having followed with interest the discussion in this regard, I thought of sharing the following with you all. * Criticality of 'Language' as a conduit for 'carrying knowledge' and as an inevitable means of expressing and articulating ones ideas cannot be over emphasised. * Ideas/Knowledge is as good as it is packaged and presented in a medium. Let us not forget the McLuhian 'Medium is the message' axiom * Ranganathan's 'three planes of work' concept in the realm of Classification applies to all aspects of work in general. It is important that we understand the influence and impact of the verbal plane on the idea plane and vice versa * The field of Psycholinguistics has wrestled with the issues of language , concept formation and thought processes without reaching a consensus * Our ancient Indic Scholars had very skillfully and adroitly explicated the importance of interplay of 'language or words' and 'thoughts and meanings' in this way- they recognised three genres of 'UKTI' (speeches or statements'): MANTRA (Vedic Verses); SHASTRA (or precepts-learned works); and KAVYA ( Poetry or literature in general). According to our sages, words and their meanings have different levels of 'import' in these three categories. In SHASTRA ( i.e. scientific knowledge' ) the language is a tool to learn, to understand the world and we reach out to the world outside through the language. Knowledge or truths (as knowledge was known as) is assimilated through the meanings of words. If the link between 'concepts' 'words' and meanings are broken, then the world of knowledge gets segregated resulting in a kind of turmoil. Since it is not possible to express knowledge without language, it is necessary THOUGH NOT PRIMARY We at DLIS, Mysore believing in the significance of Language and communication skills have always striven to help our students augment their language skills through a variety of activities. For example some years back, we used to conduct 'what is the good word' contest. Some of our recent efforts in this direction are- 1. In the new revised syllabus for M.L.I. Sc (coming to effect from the academic year 2005-2006), we have introduced one full paper on ' Personality development and communication skills' (carrying 100 marks) in the first semester (thanks to our Board of Studies, which deemed it fit to introduce this change). Visit our website- www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in http://www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in/ 2. We have also introduced a novel competition for the students. Recognizing the importance of reading habits in strengthening communication skills, a monthly newspaper reading and clipping contest with two prizes- of INR 100 and 75 -where in students identify, collect newspaper write ups relating to 'Information world' and submit a well presented and bound volume 3. Weekly 'English coaching classes' for students * the above two have been voluntary efforts and initiatives by the faculty Shalini -------- Dr.Shalini R. Urs Director Information and Communication Division & Professor and Chairperson Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore Mysore-570006 India Tele-91-821-2514699 Fax -91-821-2519209 homepage:www.vidyanidhi.org.in/shaliniurs.htm
Dear All, This new initiation is infact an inspiration to all LIS Professionals. It is good to know that a week long discussion on communication skills of LIS Professionals brings light to this new venture. DLIS Mysore was always keen to develop the skills of its course participants. Being an alumni of DLIS Mysore I feel proud in this remarkable initiation and I express my gratitude to DLIS. If other LIS Schools can also implement/share similar ideas (which will give more emphasis on practice, like conducting workshops and weekly debates) this will surely be a turning point of LIS Profession in India. Regards, -Jismi George Centre for Development of Advanced Computing [C-DAC] # 68, Electronics City Bangalore - 560100 Tel: +91 080 28523300 Fax: +91 080 28522590 -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Shalini R Urs Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 6:00 PM To: LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Cc: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Communication Skills- LIS-DLIS, Mysore initiatives Dear Friends, Having followed with interest the discussion in this regard, I thought of sharing the following with you all. * Criticality of 'Language' as a conduit for 'carrying knowledge' and as an inevitable means of expressing and articulating ones ideas cannot be over emphasised. ear Friends,
Having followed with interest the discussion in this regard, I thought of sharing the following with you all.
* Criticality of 'Language' as a conduit for 'carrying knowledge' and as an inevitable means of expressing and articulating ones ideas cannot be over emphasised. * Ideas/Knowledge is as good as it is packaged and presented in a medium. Let us not forget the McLuhian 'Medium is the message' axiom * Ranganathan's 'three planes of work' concept in the realm of Classification applies to all aspects of work in general. It is important that we understand the influence and impact of the verbal plane on the idea plane and vice versa * The field of Psycholinguistics has wrestled with the issues of language , concept formation and thought processes without reaching a consensus * Our ancient Indic Scholars had very skillfully and adroitly
explicated the importance of interplay of 'language or words' and 'thoughts and meanings' in this way- they recognised three genres of 'UKTI' (speeches or statements'): MANTRA (Vedic Verses); SHASTRA (or precepts-learned works); and KAVYA ( Poetry or literature in general). According to our sages, words and their meanings have different levels of 'import' in these three categories. In SHASTRA ( i.e. scientific knowledge' ) the language is a tool to learn, to understand the world and we reach out to the world outside through the language. Knowledge or truths (as knowledge was known as) is assimilated through the meanings of words. If the link between 'concepts' 'words' and meanings are broken, then the world of knowledge gets segregated resulting in a kind of turmoil. Since it is not possible to express knowledge without language, it is necessary THOUGH NOT PRIMARY We at DLIS, Mysore believing in the significance of Language and communication skills have always striven to help our students augment their language skills through a variety of activities. For example some years back, we used to conduct 'what is the good word' contest. Some of our recent efforts in this direction are- 1. In the new revised syllabus for M.L.I. Sc (coming to effect from the academic year 2005-2006), we have introduced one full paper on ' Personality development and communication skills' (carrying 100 marks) in the first semester (thanks to our Board of Studies, which deemed it fit to introduce this change). Visit our website- www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in http://www.lisc.uni-mysore.ac.in/ 2. We have also introduced a novel competition for the students. Recognizing the importance of reading habits in strengthening communication skills, a monthly newspaper reading and clipping contest with two prizes- of INR 100 and 75 -where in students identify, collect newspaper write ups relating to 'Information world' and submit a well presented and bound volume 3. Weekly 'English coaching classes' for students * the above two have been voluntary efforts and initiatives by the faculty Shalini -------- Dr.Shalini R. Urs Director Information and Communication Division & Professor and Chairperson Departmen0t of Library and Information Science University of Mysore Mysore-570006 India Tele-91-821-2514699 Fax -91-821-2519209 homepage:www.vidyanidhi.org.in/shaliniurs.htm
participants (3)
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Jismi-George -
Shalini R Urs -
Vyasamoorthy＠icicikp.com