intouch the termly newsletter produced by RSC East Midlands
Autumn 2007 Volume 6: Issue 1
Contents 1 New service provision 2 Customer satisfaction survey results 2 NLN Materials latest changes 3 Focus On: The RSC East Midlands Team
Are you e-enabled? This is the question that you need to consider as we enter the latest phase of using technology in education. Our support over the next round of funding until 2010 will focus on the strategic use of technology to ensure that you can become e-mature and e-enabled. Achieving e-maturity is about successfully integrating and embedding the use of technology so that it supports all the key business functions of an organisation. To enable this, the active involvement of senior managers is essential and we intend to work very closely with this group in the coming years. Your JISC RSC can help you work towards e-maturity by providing a number of bespoke services tailored to your organisation including: • Management advice and strategic support • e-learning progress reviews • Curriculum review • Embedding VLE use • Staff development strategy and implementation • Embedding e-learning in quality processes We will also continue to support the whole sector through a series of generic services such as events, forums, placements, our help desk, brokerage and JISC mailing lists.
Through both these individualised and sector-wide services we are able to provide relevant information and advice on the crucial topics that will dominate practice in the Learning & Skills sector. To highlight the latest phase of development, we will be hosting a launch event on the 30th November for people who are key in moving their organisations towards e-maturity. This includes those responsible for quality, curriculum, teaching and learning, staff development and IT services. The launch of ‘Becoming e-enabled: support for the strategic and effective use of technology’ will feature a keynote presentation from Tony Burgess, Senior Policy Manager, Technology for Learning at the national LSC.
4 Round-up of the 2007 e-fair 4 Hints and Tips 4 Forthcoming events
Newsletter Makeover As you may have already noticed intouch has undergone a re-design for this edition. We are now following a national RSC template, and hope you like the new look. Watch out for more changes to come in future editions. We will also be using this style in the future for all our communications to make it easier for you to recognise the RSC.
There are plenty of opportunities for learning providers in the region to take advantage of the JISC RSC services on offer, so please get intouch with us to discuss how we can help you become e-enabled.
Stimulating and supporting innovation in learning
I can’t get no satisfaction! Well actually you can - as the national Customer Satisfaction Survey shows that in 2007, the East Midlands RSC has achieved its highest level of satisfaction ever from the learning providers it supports.
NLN Materials update Xtensis has obtained the contract to host the NLN materials and the new service has been launched. The service now extends to Further Education (FE) and Specialist Colleges, Adult and Community Learning (ACL), Work Based Learning (WBL) and Offender Learning Providers. All staff in learning providers can now have access rights rather than at an organisational level.
97% of those surveyed endorsed the value of RSC support across 15 different areas. Each year the independent survey contacts every one of the learning providers we support in the region, and asks the opinions of key post holders, typically those responsible for management, staff development, technical services and learning resources.
“source of authority” In the East Midlands the response rate was above the national average, at 43%, and showed that you particularly valued the opportunities we provide for you to network together and the benefits of visits by RSC staff. Information skills support was also praised; however technical training is one area highlighted where we need to do a bit better for you. The survey invites comments but modesty means we can’t shout about the response that commended our “exceptionally talented staff!” Other snippets were “when I quote JISC to managers and colleagues it is treated as a source of authority” and “our successful bid to JISC was as a direct result of the help given by the regional support worker!” As manager of the RSC, probably the most satisfying comment for me personally was that the RSC “never makes me feel that my queries or problems are unimportant.” Thanks for those of you who took time to respond. We think very hard about what you tell us, and hope to be able to keep the same high level of service over the coming years of Round 3. Chris Hill, Regional Manager
What are NLN materials? They are small, flexible ‘bite-sized’ episodes of learning. They are not whole courses but are instead designed to support a wide range of subject and topic areas. The materials adopt a range of approaches involving some knowledge acquisition, a chance to practice and absorb, and some form of assessment to check that the learning has been understood and the learning outcome(s) achieved.
How do I access the materials? All existing users should have received an email in mid-October advising them of the new service and how to register for it. The current services for FE, WBL and Specialist Colleges will continue to be available until the end of October. Registration for new users is straightforward. Simply go to www.nln.ac.uk and register on the site. Instructions on how to find the password will be available during the registration process.
What is different about the new service? The new access site to the NLN Materials includes a range of useful features designed to help practitioners access and customise resources easily for their learners.
In particular, the site enables: • Access to the full, definitive library of NLN Materials (Rounds 1-4 including all updates and all previous content hitherto unavailable. The third party copyright issues have now been addressed.) • Powerful search and browse to find and play online appropriate materials. • Creation and editing of collections of materials which can be assigned to learners online via a web link. • Download of collections for easy import into virtual learning environments (VLEs) such as Moodle, or immediate use on CD, DVD or Intranets, with no need for external tools. • Review and sharing of collections assembled by other practitioners.
What about support? The new service is fully integrated into the existing support site at www.nln.ac.uk providing a unified point of access and support for the entire community of NLN Materials users. There is an extensive help facility on the site including: • a user guide, with instructions on key “How To” tasks • context-sensitive pop-up help throughout the site • a dynamic FAQ system RSCs will continue to provide support on how to use the materials but technical support will be from the Learning and Skills Network (LSN).
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Focus On: The RSC East Midlands Team Don’t worry – we won’t be talking about ourselves in every issue of the new-style newsletter. But with some new additions to the team, some changes for existing team members and our new focus, we thought it would be useful to give you an overview of who does what now.
Fresh faces Kathryn Robinson “I joined the RSC in September on a secondment from Lincoln College, where I was working as a lecturer in the School of Business. “I have worked for the college for many years, taking in a range of roles in administration, human resources, the business development centre and the college’s ‘Learning Shop’. “I have always been interested in integrating ILT throughout my teaching and, as a consequence, took on the role of ILT mentor for the School of Business. “I am currently re-establishing contacts in colleges with Higher Education (HE) provision, with the aim of arranging visits to determine the type of support required. Another of my aims is to work together with my colleagues in other RSCs in order to provide an all-round service, such as a proposed joint HE focused conference with our West Midlands colleagues next spring.”
Who’s Who Stan Unwin “I’ve joined the RSC to develop the new part of the organisation’s remit as our support is extended to cover Work Based Learning (WBL) provision. “I come with extensive experience, gained over the past 14 years with WBL providers in Leicester and Lincoln. “Having held a number of positions, both ‘at the sharp end’ as assessor and verifier and in a range of management roles from Business Manager to Quality Manager, I have a good all-round appreciation of the sector and of the issues and opportunities that exist. “I’m very much looking forward to the challenges that this new role will present, and would be interested to hear from any of the WBL providers in the region.” Tel: 01509 618119 stan.unwin@rsc-em.ac.uk
“My role is a new position being established at each RSC across England to develop case studies for the QIA Excellence Gateway. “As Information Officer, I will also be looking to improve our communications with our learning providers, including our intouch newsletter.
Chris Hill (Manager) Strategic support, brokerage, secondments to RSC, benchmarking, teacher training chris.hill@rsc-em.ac.uk Judi Millage (Assistant Manager) Placements, e-learning progress reviews, learning resources, staff development planning and review judi.millage@rsc-em.ac.uk Martin Cooke (Advisor) Accessibility, Moodle, e-assessment, e-portfolios, Specialist Colleges martin.cooke@rsc-em.ac.uk Sharon Hutchings (Advisor) Curriculum review, E-learning in quality processes, project support, peer review, ACL sharon.hutchings@rsc-em.ac.uk Ben Williams (Advisor) New learning technologies, embedding VLE use, funding ben.williams@rsc-em.ac.uk Kathryn Robinson (Advisor) HE in FE, Small Higher Education Institutions kathryn.robinson@rsc-em.ac.uk
Tel: 01509 618113 kathryn.robinson@rsc-em.ac.uk
Kevin Spencer
Here’s a brief list of all the RSC team, with our roles and some examples of the type of things that you might like to get in touch with us about….
“I have joined from Nottingham Trent University, where I was part of the marketing team promoting the university to potential students. “Previously I have worked for the University of Bradford and Huddersfield Technical College, as well as in a variety of other non-education sectors.” Tel: 01509 618112 kevin.spencer@rsc-em.ac.uk
Stan Unwin (Advisor) Work Based Learning stan.unwin@rsc-em.ac.uk Gwen Callaghan (Events and Administration Coordinator) Help desk, events, JISC mailing lists gwen.callaghan@rsc-em.ac.uk Kevin Spencer (Information Officer) Case studies, RSC communications kevin.spencer@rsc-em.ac.uk We are in the process of recruiting a new Technical Advisor following James Higham’s move to EMMAN in the summer, so watch this space. To get intouch with any of us call the RSC office on (01509) 618110 or email using the addresses above. 3
Forthcoming Events
2007
ROUND-UP
November 1st (am)
Specialist Colleges Forum
7th (am)
EMIS Information Skills Meeting
13th (am)
ILT Forum
15th (am)
Technical Forum
16th (full day)
Moodle for Beginners
21st (full day)
LRC Forum
28th (full day)
e-portfolios
30th (am)
RSC East Midlands Round 3 Launch
December 4th (am)
Moodle Users Group
4th (am)
Heads of IT Forum
11th (full day)
Change Management
For further details please visit www.rsc-em.ac.uk
The 2007 e-fair took place in June with over 30 exhibitors and 150 delegates converging on the University of Derby for an action packed day. Visitors came from across all the various sectors and from throughout the region, and gave a lot of positive feedback on their experiences of the day. Sue Lovell, CEL Strategic Associate and former regional Chair of AOC NILTA East Midlands region: “The conference has grown and matured, and is a very professional event – something for everyone, good keynote speakers, good choice of workshops, and an excellent and varied exhibition.” Gilly Miller, Lecturer in Learning Support at Castle College: “I thought the e-fair was excellent - I’ve learnt a lot today. One thing I will now look at doing is encouraging tutors to use Camstudio, including having it as an assessment tool for learners with dyslexia to use. I also intend to reassess what I can put on our VLE due to what I’ve learned about copyright issues.” Other delegates were equally intent on using the knowledge they had gained on the day. Feedback from them included, “looking at open source accessibility software from TechDis”, “following-up on Web 2.0 and Shibboleth”, and “developing Photostory”. Many delegates had similar plans to the idea of “taking a couple of hours to digest all of the information collected and then I’ll disseminate it to colleagues”.
All the people who returned a feedback form were entered into a prize draw. Congratulations go to James Gordon-Hall at Lincoln College who was the winner of the wireless keyboard and mouse! Preparations are already under way for the next event, which will be held on 24th June 2008 at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester. So put that in your diary now! And if you are interested in being involved in the organisation and themes of the event then please get in touch. If you didn’t make it to the e-fair you can watch edited versions of the keynote presentations on our website at www.rsc-em.ac.uk, or even if you were there, maybe you would simply like to see them again!
Hints and Tips: CamStudio Get intouch JISC RSC East Midlands Loughborough College Radmoor Road Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3BT Tel: 01509 618110 Email: support@rsc-em.ac.uk Web: www.rsc-em.ac.uk
Camstudio is a useful free tool for creating video tutorials. It records voice, image and cursor movements. You can download it for free for both personal and commercial projects. CamStudio and the Codec are both released under the General Public License. When you start recording it will record whatever is on the screen, including all screen movements. An .avi file of 60 seconds will come to something like 30 MB. It saves as .avi or .swf files, which can be imported into Windows Movie Maker for adding text or can be exported to portable devices.
As the software records what the user is doing on-screen it can be used for a wide variety of purposes but in particular it has found to be a beneficial tool for assessment, recording annotations on whiteboards, and as a critique and reflective tool. www.camstudio.org
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