intouch the termly newsletter produced by RSC East Midlands
Spring 2008 Volume 6: Issue 2
Contents Becoming e-enabled: the results
1 Becoming e-enabled: the results
You are e-enabled when you successfully embed technology so it supports all the key functions of your organisation and in the last edition of intouch we asked “Are you e-enabled?”. Now we can tell you how e-enabled a significant part of the Learning and Skills sector is in the East Midlands .
2 New advisor starts
Our conclusions are based on the results of a survey conducted at the “Becoming e-enabled” event held in November to launch the RSC’s revised focus on strategic support. The survey had responses from 72% of the region’s 40 further education, specialist and higher education colleges and Adult and Community Learning managing agents.
How would you describe the use of e-learning in your organisation? localised 10%
innovative 3% embedded 17%
coordinated 21%
Only 20% of the regional learning transformative 45% providers see their organisation’s use of technology as ‘embedded’ (or better) so they cannot imagine doing the job without it.
Percentage of Learning Providers in the East Midlands
The majority (80%) feel they have not reached this stage; most (45%) regard the use of technology as ‘transitional’ and starting to make a real difference, whilst in 35% it is restricted to parts of the organisation and its use is at best co-ordinated. What proportion of your learners experience new and emerging technology blended into their course? 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
0 - 25% of learners
26 - 50% of learners
51 - 75% of learners
76 - 100% of learners
Percentage of Learning Providers in the East Midlands
What proportion of your staff are skilled in the use of e-learning and its pedagogy? 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
0 - 25% of staff
26 - 50% of staff
51 - 75% of staff
2 Round Three launch
76 - 100% of staff
A minority of learners experience new and emerging technology blended into their course in most regional learning providers. In 72% of learning providers, less than half of the learners experience that blend. The key to becoming e-enabled lies in staff skills. Again, only a minority feel that staff have the skills to exploit the potential of new technology. In 79% of learning providers, less than half of the academic staff are skilled in the use of e-learning and its pedagogy.
3 Focus on: RSC technical infrastructure service 3 Hints and Tips 4 Work Based Learning update 4 Technology Exemplar Network 4 Forthcoming events
Your Say In future editions of intouch we plan to feature more details of what’s been happening in the learning providers in the region. So we would like to hear from you. Do you have a project that you need to disseminate? Would something you are doing make a good case study? If so please get intouch.
It’s our job at the RSC to support you in reaping the benefits of technology to improve recruitment, retention and achievement. If you would like us to help you become e-enabled, get intouch.
Stimulating and supporting innovation in learning
New Advisor for Technical Infrastructure We were delighted to welcome Gordon Millner to RSC East Midlands in October last year as the new advisor for Technical Infrastructure for the region.
Round 3 Launch “Becoming e-enabled: support for the strategic and effective use of technology” was the theme of the RSC’s launch event to cover the funding phase from 2007 to 2010. The aim of the launch event was to showcase the extended support available from the RSC and establish an effective link between the RSC and strategic managers in learning providers in the East Midlands who cover areas such as curriculum, quality, technical infrastructure and staff development. Tony Burgess, Senior Policy Manager, Technology for Learning at the national LSC delivered the keynote presentation outlining LSC priorities and expectations for e-learning, in order to set the national picture in which we are all operating. The event was also an opportunity for three of the learning providers in the East Midlands to present regional case studies on the service provided by the RSC.
“I have worked in engineering and computing for thirty years, but I’ve also combined it with twenty years of teaching experience, the last ten being in FE Colleges in the East Midlands region either as a lecturer or a curriculum manager for IT. Alongside those roles I have also run my own part-time IT consultancy for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The examples were drawn from different sectors that we work with and the presenters were: • Dawn Green, Vice Principal at Portland College • Clare Holden, Learning Resources Manager at Loughborough College • Jim Beizsley, Quality and Curriculum Manager at Derby Adult Learning Service The presentations gave a chance for colleagues at other learning providers to see the full range of services that the RSC has on offer and for collaboration between providers. It was also an opportunity for delegates to network and discuss priorities and issues within their organisations. Chris Hill, Manager of the RSC, summarised the day as “an excellent opportunity for some new faces to learn about the RSC and for some familiar faces to see where the RSC is focusing its attention over the next three years.” A short film and photos from the event are on the RSC website. We were saddened to learn of the sudden death of Tony Burgess over Christmas. Tony was an enthusiastic supporter of the benefits that the use of technology gives and will be greatly missed.
“I have always been enthusiastic in being able to combine technology with my own teaching and latterly have also helped others improve their teaching in the classroom through the use of Moodle, interactive whiteboards and software programming tools. Delegates using interactive technology during
“With the identification of factors from both a curriculum and a technical perspective, combined with the revised scope of my technical role within the RSC (see opposite page), I hope to provide a much more strategic level of IT infrastructure advice. This will help to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to provide IT value for money and to meet long term technological requirements for both curriculum and administration. “If you want some advice on a technically-related matter or just want to give me an update of what’s happening at your organisation then please get in contact.” Gordon Millner Tel: 01509 618120 Mobile: 07799 470287 Email: gordon.millner@rsc-em.ac.uk 2
the RSC round 3 launch event
What service is on offer? RSC East Midlands have created a series of Information Sheets that outline the services on offer to learning providers throughout the region that will help you to realise the full extent of the provision available. Kevin Spencer, Information Officer at the RSC explained: “the idea is that people should be able to get a good understanding of what we can do for them at a quick glance and then get intouch with us for more information so that we can advise you on an individual basis”. Fifteen Information Sheets are currently available but as we progress there will be more services identified by the RSC and learning providers, so more sheets will be created to reflect the new services on offer, as part of a process of constant improvement.
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The Information Sheets can be accessed and downloaded via the RSC website or please get intouch and we can send you copies.
Sti m ula in ting no va and tio su n in ppo r le ar ting nin g
Focus On:
Hints & Tips
Technical Infrastructure Service The latest remit has given rise to changes in the support provided by the RSCs. This particularly applies to the technical support role which now focuses more directly on the strategic development of the technical infrastructure underpinning organisational network systems, rather than providing direct technical support. The role also advises on the key IT elements to be incorporated in the design of a new build, as well as advice and guidance on the procurement and operation of Management Information Systems (MIS). The technical infrastructure is of course there to support learning and teaching in the classroom and ever mindful of that, advice and guidance at the technical level will often focus on optimising the learning environment.
This will help identify network traffic levels and any actual and potential bottlenecks within your network. An additional aim of the RSC Network Healthcheck is to encourage best practice in networks, systems and procedures. Part of the Network Healthcheck also involves identifying any skills gap that technical staff may be experiencing in order to fulfil their role. The RSC would make recommendations for training and provide guidance on where this training could be undertaken. It could be a skills gap identified for some new technology that is on the horizon, in which case the RSC would consider providing a regional workshop and the formation of a forum group. We are presently undertaking an analysis of the use of Microsoft SharePoint in the region with this intention. Other technologies affecting institutions at the present time are those associated with wireless networking, e-portfolios and Federated Access Management. There are institutions across the region that are currently installing, or have installed, these and other systems and the RSC will continue to facilitate the sharing of their expertise via the mailing lists, forums and workshops.
This could be advice ranging from how to connect the interactive whiteboards to the network system or advice on best practice to maintain the security and confidentiality of information shared between student and lecturer. The security of the network will also become increasingly challenging as the need for social networking sites becomes a focus for learning in the classroom and the student who requires access to the network on a “Martini” any time, any place, anywhere basis.
Did you know that you can download the “How to” and “Ask the expert” films from Videojug to your phone, PSP and iPod? If not, it is worth a look as the process is relatively straightforward providing you with ease of access whenever your learners or you want them.
Step 1 If already registered login, if not follow the steps to register with Videojug. Search and find the video clip you want to download.
Step 2 Click on the download tab below the video clip and select the device you want to download to.
For further information on any of the technical infrastructure services we offer please take a look at our Information Sheet 15, which is available on our website at www.rsc-em.ac.uk or alternatively please get intouch with our advisor, Gordon Millner (see opposite page for contact details).
Stimulating and supporting innovation in learning
Technical Infrastructure Advice and Guidance
Step 3 Save the clip to your PC/laptop then Bluetooth or download to your phone, PSP or iPod.
Institutions possibly now more than ever need to ensure that their network system is running at an optimum level. This is due to growing network demands for increased security requirements and internet connectivity for downloadable resources requiring yet more bandwidth. The RSC can help by undertaking a free, independent Network Healthcheck analysis to understand how your current network infrastructure is performing.
The JISC Regional Support Centre (RSC) can offer you advice and guidance on a whole range of issues relating to the use of technology and help ensure your technical infrastructure is sound.
Information Sheet
15
www.videojug.com 3
Forthcoming Events January th
30 (full day)
Web2.0: emerging practice and practical application
February 8th (pm)
New Build Forum
14th (am)
LRC Forum
14th (pm)
EMIS Information Skills Meeting
18th (full day)
Making the most of e-learning - a Work Based Learning perspective
21st (full day)
Getting your email and information under control
26th (full day)
Strategic embedding of Moodle Lucy Stone (Leicester College), Ruth Mable (Derby City LEA) & Gill Coker (Connexions, Nottinghamshire) presented at the ILT Forum last autumn
March 4th (am)
ILT Forum
4th (am)
Heads of IT Forum
6th (am)
Specialist Colleges Forum
11th (am)
Technical Forum
13th (am)
Moodle Users Group
18th (full day)
RSC Higher Education Conference 2008
April 1st (full day)
Effective Professional Development for QTLS
8th (full day)
Project Management
17th (am)
Accessibility and Inclusion Forum
June 24th (full day)
e-fair 2008
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 4
Work Based Learning Update In 2007 RSCs across England were given the remit of Work Based Learning (WBL) in addition to the sectors that they supported already. In September last year, Stan Unwin joined as the WBL advisor for East Midlands. Here’s a brief overview of progress so far. We have been visiting several learning providers across the region operating within different subject areas to raise awareness of the RSC and what we provide. These meetings have also been used to research the use of technology with providers and see what individual organisations view as their priorities, in order to gauge how e-learning can help them in the future. The RSC has been working closely with the existing WBL networks that are in place in each of the counties that make up the East Midlands region. As well as visits we have delivered brief presentations to several of these networks, which have had good representation from the WBL providers in those areas.
presentations by WBL providers who have successfully embedded e-learning in their provision. The afternoon session will be a series of workshops covering some of the most pressing topics in the sector and designed to introduce WBL providers to e-portfolios, web 2.0 technologies and virtual learning environments. This event is free and available to anyone delivering Work Based Learning in the region with an LSC contract. Bookings can be made on our website at www.rsc-em.ac.uk and places will be on first come, first served basis.
The next stage for WBL is a regional launch for this sector which takes place on Monday 18th February at EMFEC Conference Centre in Nottingham. The morning session will outline in more detail the service provision that will be available to WBL providers, including details of upcoming WBL forums, the launch of a WBL mailing list, and further information on which RSC services can be accessed and how. There will also be
Learning from each other In order to plan the implementation of new and emerging technologies, you need evidence of what has worked to date. By reviewing real examples of good practice and sharing experience, you can further develop your plans for future investment and implementation of technology for learning. The Technology Exemplar Network is designed to do just this. The Network consists of: Supporting Providers with something to share and exemplar status, responsible for taking a lead in developing the network; Developing Providers who are actively developing their strategy for embedding technology in learning.
In this first round of LSC funding £3.9m is available. Each learning provider taking part will receive a capital grant of up to £50,000 and a revenue grant of between £7,000 and £7,500 to meet the costs of releasing staff to take part. Submissions to be one of the ten Supporting Providers had to be in last year. However applications to be one of the fifty Developing Providers open on 19th February 2008. Further details were not yet available as we went to press. One of the services we offer as an RSC is in helping you decide whether joining the Network could benefit your organisation and by supporting you in submitting a bid. If you would like to talk to us please get intouch.
e-fair 2008
New HE Conference
The final programme for this popular event held on the 24th June, at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester will be available at the start of the summer term. Registration will open via the RSC website at the same time.
For those involved with Higher Education, a new event joins the calendar in 2008. Held on the 18th March in Birmingham, the conference will focus on plagiarism, transformation and collaboration.