http://ouldi.open.ac.uk
Open University Learning Design Initiative - JISC Project
Aim The overall aim of the project is to develop and implement a methodology for learning design composed of tools, practice and other innovation that both builds upon, and contributes to, existing academic and practitioner research. We are interested in providing support for the entire design process: from gathering initial ideas, through to consolidating, producing and using designs, to sharing, reuse and community engagement. These are complex and challenging processes that involve a range of stakeholders with different interests; issues and representations are different depending on whether design occurs at the level of individual activity, course or curriculum. Our vision is of a learning design methodology, and suite of practical tools and resources, that bridge good pedagogic practice and effective use of new technologies.
Objectives 1.To work with units in the OU and to explore the transferability of elements of our approach by working with four other UK universities (inc. University of Reading, London South Bank University, Brunel University) and two pan-communities, capturing barriers and enablers by appropriate data recording mechanisms 2.To review the existing curriculum design processes at the OU in the first year of the project including describing and modelling the curriculum design process 3.To work with stakeholders at the OU to identify key moments in which enhancement or change in curriculum design process could lead to improved quality of design, and to work with partner institutions to undertake a similar process 4.To pilot learning design methodologies, tools and techniques in at least eight trials and to document and evaluate this experience 5.To engage with, build or enhance a range of communities and develop their capacity for self-sustainability particularly focusing on organised events, key topic or subject areas, existing operational units and conferences or special interest groups
Key components of the project will align with the four facets of our learning design methodology. These are:
6.To increase, monitor and evaluate exchanges of learning and teaching ideas and experiences in appropriate communities
路 Understanding design (gathering empirical evidence about design)
7.To undertake enhancements to the website(s) being used to support the community building and activities planned (e.g. Cloudworks)
路 Visualising design (means of articulating and representing)
8.To undertake enhancements to the visualisation software used to support the pilot and design mapping tasks (e.g. CompendiumLD)
路 Guiding design (scaffolds and support) and
9.To continue to broaden in scope, content and definition the OU learning design methodology
路 Sharing design (to inspire and encourage uptake and reuse)
Outputs
Benefits
Challenges
A record and evaluation of our approaches to implementing institutional change through adopting a LD approach
New opportunities and methods for the exchange of teaching and learning ideas and experiences
How do we better respond to the gap between the formalised design processes and the often informal process of design?
A clearer understanding of using learning design successfully in curriculum innovation, strategies and approaches to embedding LD as an approach across a range of contexts and models
Exploration of the opportunities social networking offers to the building and enhancing of communities
How do designs get shared? What roles do technology and practitioners have in this communication process?
Better understanding of the design process at an institutional level and the interventions that can support change
How can we effect change in practice, culture and process - especially in the light of constraints on time and resource?
Tools to support more effective visualisation and concept mappings of curriculum designs to promote better shared understandings, reflection, innovation and creativity
What does a successful online teaching and learning community look like? What characteristics does it have and how can we measure these?
A range of new or enhanced guidance for those undertaking the design of learning
How do our two key tools - CompendiumLD and Cloudworks - fit with other tools currently available?
A self-sustaining learning design community providing a forum for exchange of ideas and designs, along with guidelines for success factors identified to make such a community work A set of resources and guidance on different aspects of learning design and outlines for associated design activities and tailored workshops A sustainable and evolving, user-generated site (Cloudworks) for collaborative learning designs with a critical mass of learning designs, as well as tools and resources for design Evidence of use of a software application designed to support learning design and visualisation
Enhanced institutional processes that support pedagogy and innovation