Excellence in E Learning - Summary

Excellence in E- Learning Summary (09/09/08)

As a result of demand from the region, the JISC Regional Support Centre for Yorkshire & Humber are hosting a series of forums/meetings badged within the Excellence in e-Learning strand.

The meetings are a means of updating the sector on regional and national developments in
e-learning, including progress with projects and bids. They are also a forum for discussing and sharing ideas and developments in e-learning.

Aims of the Day:

- to receive updates on recent developments in e-learning

- to share e-learning developments in the institutions

- to provide a forum for discussion of important developments in e-learning


The agenda was largely driven by the delegates and future meetings may include guest speakers if deemed appropriate. This was the first forum meeting this academic year and further meetings will follow.


Technology/Internet Resource Developments

• www.wakeypedia.org.uk - This wiki is intended to provide a valuable resource for practising teachers in all areas of formal education.

It includes articles on a wide range of topics across the whole range of teaching activities, considerations and techniques. Individual practitioners can look to this Guide for inspiration in overcoming specific difficulties, guidance on methods of approaching particular aspects of the teacher’s role and recommendations of practices that others have found useful.


• http://www.ning.com/ - Ning was cited as a more flexible tool than Moodle, in particular for digital video files. Ning is another social networking site. Some concerns over institution control were raised over Facebook, Bebo and Ning. Others described it as an invasion of students private space but not all group members shared this point of view.

• There were suggestions that the emergence of numerous new online platforms will see a period of mergers and buyouts. It was predicted that Moodle would evolve with both Microsoft and Google involvement to retain its position in the market place.


• The group was shown Hull Colleges basic skills pack. This had all the functionality of an editable PDF but with animated interactivity. The facilitator agreed to investigate what software had been used. A copy of the file is available for free on USB by request only.

• Google tools was shown to the group. This was described as a ‘national vle’ that has potential integration opportunities with Moodle but is still very much in its infancy. Other online tools shown included Adobe Video Conferencing, Sharepoint and Photoshop online.

• Interactive notepads were discussed. These convert handwriting into digital text. http://www.destinyplc.co.uk/flash/#/thedigitalpen/overview/



Online Appraisals/CPD

A minority of members had been using their own online appraisal and CPD systems. Wakefield College was cited as an example of good practice in this area.

Leadership and Management

It was suggested by several members that institutions who appointed ICT/VLE managers at ‘senior management level’ had a greater focus on new technologies and rate of development than their counterparts.

Benchmarking VLE

The RSC are keen to develop a set of criteria to measure an institutions effectiveness in the use of virtual learning environments and new technologies. This was an area of development to be discussed at the next meeting.

Assessment Online

According to the facilitator by 2010 it will be a mandatory requirement for all schools and sixth form colleges to keep student assessment records online. It was unclear if this would include FE Colleges.

Both Wilberfoss College and Wyke Sixth Form College had developed online assessment tracking systems for National Diploma qualification which may act as a model for LCAD’s ND assessment tracking.

Project Aims & Objectives

Project Title

The Use of Mobile e-Learning in Relating Historical and Theoretical Study with Practice in the Study of Art and Design

Project Description

To provide ultra mobile pc’s for students to use both within sessions and externally. Working across Lecture theatres, art studios, classrooms and outside college buildings, these are to extend VLE systems to support students on vocational art and design programmes who also study academic qualifications. Activities will involve the use of wiki’s, blogs, podcasts and forums whilst also giving students enhanced opportunities to engage in an e –ILP pilot.

Project Aims

• enhance personalised learning
• a shift in curriculum from and instructive to a constructive model
• students develop theoretical understandings
• improve high grade achievement

Project Objectives

• build learner knowledge and confidence in the use of new technologies
• learners recognise the value of theory and practice
• develop cohorts awareness of historical and contemporary practice
• harness the potential of Moodle
• enhance the learner experience
• develop online ILP system
• raise key headline statistics.


Outputs

The programme will involve creating a diverse range of digital learning materials including the following;

• digitising course material and populating the College intranet with information, downloadable word documents, ebooks, pdf files and hyperlinks to relevant external sites.

• podcasts for briefings, homework descriptions, lectures and possible staff feedback to learners.

• on-line video tutorials for software and hardware related tuition.

• the investigation of e-ILP’s and their assistance in developing student potential

• online blogs, wiki’s and forums

• the use of web based social networking systems (eg Facebook)
email and news groups used to disseminate information to students.

• HTML/Flash based learning tools

Example Flash Sites
http://www.oracle.com/johnblade/index.html
http://www.becominghuman.org/

Staff Roles

LSN Support
Danny Atwere – Project Mentor
Lillian Soon – Regional Training and support.

Management
Dave Russell – Senior Management
Andy Grayston - Project Manager
Jim Chapman – Systems Development Manager
Dan Hill – Head of Infrastructure

Research
Katie Stanworth – M Champion
Janine Sykes – Lead Researcher


VLE Champions

ND Graphic Design/AS Art & Design
Lee Waller - AS
Katie Stanworth -AS
Janine Sykes - ND

ND Fashion and Clothing/AS Textiles
Nadine Cavigioli - AS
Clare Ludlam - AS
Janine Sykes – ND

ND Art & Design/ AS Critical Studies
Suzanne Archer – AS/ND
Toby Julif – AS/ND
Steve Anderson – AS/ND
Tom Palin – AS/ND
Duncan Mosley – ND
Mathew Ducket - ND

First Post

Welcome to the first post on the Leeds College of Art & Design Molenet Blog !!

This blog was set up in response to a request at the Molenet Project Launch on Thursday, December 4th. This was attended by Dave Russell (Head of School of Further Education), Andy Grayston (Project Manager and Course Leader for ND Graphics) and Jim Chapman (Systems Development Manager).

Despite the snow, all three braved the elements to reach the 7:20 a.m. train from Leeds, arriving in London in plenty of time for the launch.

Further thoughts on the day and what lies ahead of us to follow ..........