R S C Newsletter
a bi-annual update from the Regional Support Centre West Midlands
JISC Advance Signs Concordat with LSIS
JISC Advance has signed a Concordat with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to ensure coherent support to the sector. The Concordat sets out how the two organisations will work together to ensure coherent support to the sector to maximise the benefits of technology. The new formal partnership will eliminate unnecessary duplication and overlap, ensuring it makes the most cost-effective use of funding. With the recent closure of Becta, and LSIS taking on the provision of technology support for the sector with JISC, and JISC Advance nominated as their technology partner, it is critical that JISC Advance and LSIS work together to deliver a more joined up package of support.
Guy Lambert, the Managing Director of JISC Advance says: “It is a particular priority of mine to ensure that by working together with other sector bodies in an open and co-operative manner, we maximise the benefits we can bring to learning providers and provide the best possible value for money. Supporting the sector to deliver excellent results for learners and the community is what we are here for.” Rob Wye, LSIS Chief Executive says: “We aim to embed effective use of technology across all of LSIS’s services to FE colleges and training providers so that the benefits of technology in the 21st century, can be truly realised. Our new formal partnership with JISC Advance will enable us to ensure that the legacy of Becta’s work is embedded across JISC Advance’s services, and our two organisations deliver a more joined up package of support that meets the sectors’ needs in the most cost-effective way” A full copy of the Concordat between LSIS and JISC Advance can be found at http://qurl.com/y7fng
Discover-e 2011 issue
Issue 7 – Spring/Summer 2011
Contents
1. JISC Advance Signs Concordat with LSIS 2. Latest e-Learning Good Practice From Our Region - RSC Making a Difference: Burton and South Derbyshire College 3. Discover-e 2011 - Getting the Most from Discover-e 2011 4-5. Pull Out Discover-e 2011 Poster 6. Conference Fringe - Preparing your PC for the Conference 7. QR Codes Explained - E-safety Tips 8. Forthcoming Events - Greener Visits from the RSC - RSC Helps to Save the Planet - Follow us on Facebook
Latest e-Learning Good Practice from Our Region
RSC Making a Difference: Burton and South Derbyshire College In April 2009, staff at Burton and South Derbyshire College requested an independent review of the college’s ILT provision and strategy. Thanks to input from the RSC, the college has benefitted from a greatly improved IT infrastructure and a clearly defined ILT strategy.
Since the last issue of our newsletter, a further 6 case studies from the region have been published on the Excellence Gateway: Shrewsbury 6th Form College: Video conferencing drives distance learning Stafford College: Mobile learning adds new dimension to teacher training City College Birmingham: Piloting a virtual world for communication, teaching and learning Shrewsbury Sixth Form College: Open source assistive technologies support college learners Birmingham Metropolitan College: Refurbished Learning Resource Centres result in increased student usage South Staffordshire College: Widening access to resources through e-books Newcastle Under Lyme College: Adapting to new learning spaces To read these case studies in full, and view more examples from our region, visit http://qurl.com/z1rq6
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Mike Parker, LRC Manager says, “In November 2008, the College appointed a new principal who, after carrying out an assessment of the college’s overall position, wanted to improve ILT and the college’s IT infrastructure. We have had a lot of support from the RSC during the past 10 years and were aware of their e-learning progress review service so they were the obvious first port of call.” The College requested an e-learning Healthcheck - just one of a variety of tools used as part of the overall e-learning progress review service which helps learning providers to assess their current e-learning position. The Healthcheck is carried out by three RSC advisers each focusing on Learning Resources, ILT Management and Planning, and IT systems. It highlights the main strengths, areas for development and key recommendations summarized in a report and subsequent action plan. Mike says, “Some of the key challenges for us included a lack of IT infrastructure development and management expertise. There was no clear hierarchy in the IT department and a lack of awareness amongst staff about the college’s ILT strategy. Staff and students lacked confidence in using ILT as the systems were unreliable.” The college took on board a number of the RSC’s suggestions including: • Clearly defined IT department. Three posts were created as a direct result of the RSC’s input, including a Head of IT • Replacement PC strategy implemented. Consistent approach to software versions and an implementation procedure now in place.
• More informal learning spaces created across the college • Moodle administered by a permanent member of staff • Staff development opportunities for IT technicians Vaughan Dyche, Head of IT says, “With a significantly improved infrastructure, staff and students are now much more confident and trusting of the systems we have in place. The IT helpdesk turnaround times are now much quicker and the IT department works more closely with the curriculum staff to ensure their needs are met. The college has a strong learner voice ethos and through student councils, we have taken on board the learners comments which has, for example, lead to a restructure of their Moodle.” He adds, “The RSC’s intervention was useful leverage to get things moving and made a big impact on the college. I would advise other learning providers, who are in a similar position to how we were in early 2009, to contact the RSC to help you formulate an action plan. Their independent, critical friend approach was just what we needed! For more information about the e-learning progress review service, contact Allen CrawfordThomas at a.crawford-thomas@ rsc-wm.ac.uk or call 01902 518930
Discover-e 2011
RSC West Midlands will once again host its annual e-learning event online. From 17th-18th May, ‘Discover-e 2011’ will run through the RSC’s Virtual Learning Environment – Moodle. For most sessions, you can log in and take part in activities at a time to suit you although some sessions, which feature ‘live’ elements such as chat, will require participation at a fixed time. The event is aimed at anyone from the region in the post-16 learning and skills sector with an interest in e-learning and its application to teaching and learning. This year’s event is themed around ‘Supporting Learning Provider Priorities.’ Spanning two days, the event will feature interactive workshops, facilitated by learning providers and our e-learning advisors. It will give delegates the opportunity to interact with a range of speakers, view video clips, listen to audio, and network with likeminded individuals. You can share examples of good practice, access a wide range of useful resources, and enter competitions with the chance to win equipment for use in teaching and learning. There will also be links to useful e-learning resources.
Four sessions will take place on each day and will cover topics including: • • • •
Doing More with Less E-safety Going Green Learner Voice
The conference ‘fringe’ will feature sessions from a number of JISC Advance services including JISC Legal and JISC Digital Media . Greg Vivash, RSC Manager comments, “This year will focus on the priorities of our learning providers. We will hear their experiences of the issues that have taken priority in the last 12 months.” We are now taking bookings for this free event. To find out more and to secure your place, visit our website at www.rsc-wm.ac.uk now. Places fill quickly so book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to meeting you online!
Turn over for your Discover-e 2011 poster. Please feel free to display this in your organisation
Getting the Most from Discover-e 2011
127 delegates booked onto last year’s event and from those who took part in our evaluation, 93% of respondents found the conference a positive experience. Here are just some of the benefits of attending: Save time - you can take part in the conference without having to leave your desk at a time to suit you. If you can’t make all of our live sessions, they will be recorded so you can access them later. Save costs - the conference is free to all our supported regional learning providers. There are 8 sessions spanning a variety of topics so it is a very effective way of enhancing your CPD. Hear how others have done things - this year’s speakers are all from learning providers in the region so you can hear their e-learning journeys first hand. Networking - share ideas and resources with likeminded delegates through the Moodle forums and live sessions. Access to expertise - the RSC e-learning advisers will be available to answer your queries. JISC Advance services will also be in our ‘conference fringe’ (see page 6) sharing their knowledge on legal matters, digital media for teaching and learning and more. 3
11.1512.15am
10:00-11:00 am
9:00-10:00
RSC Advisor: Alison Wootton
Presenter: Umar Ahktar, Hereward College
This session looks at My Study Bar and Access Apps and features case studies and experience from the West Midlands. It also considers if Open source software really can save us money.
Doing More With Less
RSC Advisor: Colleen Romero
RSC Advisor: Matt Gallon
Presenter: Grazyna Kuczera, Northampton College, Wendy Parry, Worcester College of Technology & Amanda Braund Bournville College
This session includes changes to staff roles, online content, changes to learning spaces and working with teaching staff
Moving Centre Stage: Placing your library at the heart of teaching and learning
RSC Advisor: Jason Curtis
Presenter: Jayne Holt, Walsall College
Social networking has brought about challenges for Walsall College. As a response to these challenges, the college has introduced policy, procedure and an extensive staff development programme. All full time learners attend e-safety awareness and many tutors are CEOP and e-safety trained. This session explores this approach to keeping staff and students safe online
Presentation on the tools and processes used at improving business processes within a learning provider.
Presenter: Alex Speed, Stourbridge College
Fringe Session: Greening ICT, Rob Bristow e-Safety: A Learning Providers Journey
Wednesday 18th May
Welcome and Introduction Improving Back Office Processes
Tuesday 17th May
Discover-e 2011
Learning to Listen: Implementing Learner Voice
RSC Advisor: Jane Edwards
Presenter: Maria Gilling (WACC - Walsall Adult and Community College)
Looking at what the organisation has done to build a teaching and learning environment on sustainability.
Going Green
Fringe Session: JISC Collections, Anna Vernon
Fringe Session: JISC Digital Media
RSC Adviser: Allen Crawford-Thomas Fringe Session: JISC Legal (Jason Campbell Wright)
The session will focus on how teacher educators How learner voice has been captured and used effectively at are embedding technology into teacher training Warwickshire College. programmes. Presenters: Donna Pender & Zoe Pulling Presenter: Penny Ottwell & Liz White (Centre for Lifelong Learning RSC Adviser: Christa Appleton
Embedding Technology into Teacher Training
RSC Advisor: Theresa Welch
Presenter: Steve Taylor, Mercia Management
How new tablet devices (such as the iPad) and netbooks are replacing laptops for remote learning. This session will draw on an example from a mobile learning initiative.
Fringe Session: JISC TechDis, Alistair McNaught Tablet PCs for Remote Learning
Places fill quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.
To find out more and to book your free place, visit our website at www.rsc-wm.ac.uk now.
3:30-4:30
2:15-3:15
1:00-2:00
Lunch 12.15-1:00
Conference Fringe The RSC’s Online Conference has a new feature this year – the Conference Fringe which includes sessions from JISC and JISC Advance services. These informal sessions take place outside the main conference programme, at the beginning or end of the conference days, or over lunch. Each interactive session features an expert guest speaker. Confirmed topics, include: • • • • •
“Greening” ICT (JISC Greening ICT Programme ) Getting more out of e-books (JISC Collections) Accessibility update (JISC TechDis) Introduction to Screencasting with free tools (JISC Digital Media) Staying legal in education – advice session with JISC Legal
About the speakers JISC Greening ICT Programme helps the greening of ICT in the Higher and Further Education sectors. Visit http://qurl.com/cz1ls JISC Collections is a membership organisation that supports the provision of digital content for education and research in the UK visit www.jisc-collections.ac.uk JISC TechDis can help all post16 providers who are concerned with supporting diverse learner needs to make technologies for innovative personalised teaching and learning part of their solution. Visit www.jisctechdis.ac.uk JISC Digital Media provides advice, guidance and training on the creation and use of digital media for learning, teaching and research. Digital media covers still images, moving images and sound resources. Visit www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk JISCLegal provide legal information to prevent legal issues from becoming a barrier to the adoption of information and communications technologies in learning, teaching, research, administration and wider 6
Preparing your PC for the Conference This year’s conference will contain a series of ‘live’ sessions or ‘webinars’ using video and audio streamed through a web browser using a tool called ‘Elluminate.’ Elluminate requires a JAVA plug-in to enable you to connect. You will need to conduct a simple system check prior to the live session by navigating to the Elluminate Live support web page. Follow the onscreen instructions. NOTE: You may need the assistance of IT personnel to install the JAVA plug-ins. Please consult your IT technical department in advance. What you will need . A PC with Internet connection and Firefox or Internet Explorer . A headset with microphone (this is important, as a separate speaker and microphone is not suitable). Note, this is the area of PC compatibility with the highest ‘failure rate’. We will organise a pre-webinar to allow you to try out the system and ensure your PC/ Mac is fully configured. . JAVA plug-in for Elluminate Live. See further instructions above. . A webcam adds an extra layer of engagement for delegates but is not required. A good quality audio channel will suffice to create a sense of live participation. Joining the Webinar Please aim to be in the session 5 -10 minutes before the start to test your sound settings. Once you have entered your name and clicked login a JAVA plug-in will install, this may take a few seconds. You must confirm you have local permissions on your computer for the plug-in to be installed before the webinar. Elluminate will open and the system will connect you to the webinar session. Once you have entered the webinar session you will be presented with the Elluminate interface. Key areas of the interface image (opposite) are labelled and show the following features:
The Elluminate Interface
1. The participants area. Here you can see which Participants are in the session and level of functionality they have access to. 2. This section may be used by your presenter to make the session more interactive, it contains a number of voting or participation options. Your presenter will indicate a the start of the session whether these will be used. 3. This displays all chat conversations within the session. 4. This is where you can type a message and send it to the room, (recommended) the Moderator /Presenter or other selected participants. 5. Your audio settings can be managed from here ie. turning your microphone on or off or altering your microphone and headset volume settings. Your Moderator /Presenter will let you know at the beginning of each session whether they will be sharing the microphone 6. The pallet contains a number of tools which can be used to annotate each presentation slide. 7. The main area on the screen is called the whiteboard and this is where the presenter of the session will display their presentation. For further help on preparing your PC for the conference, please contact Jason Curtis or Colleen Romero on 01902 518982
QR Codes Explained
What are they? QR codes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes - “QR” stands for “quick response”, as they were originally designed to be read at high speed. The codes store more information than traditional barcodes and can be read by dedicated QR code readers, or by a variety of mobile devices (such as smartphones), equipped with suitable software. QR codes are free of any production license. How can they be used? QR codes can store a small string of information such as a URL (web address), or a piece of text (up to 250 characters). They are commonly used to create a link to further information about something (for example a product, journal article or website). There are a wide range of free and paid-for applications which can be used to generate the codes and they can be printed on a standard printer. Teaching and learning examples • Include a QR code on paper hand-outs so students can link to related resources on a VLE
• For dyslexic learners, a QR code could be included on hand-outs to take them to a visual version such as a mind-map or a podcast (spoken) alternative. • During induction, use QR codes to direct students to additional information about college services (you could make this a “treasure hunt” activity). • For libraries, QR codes can be used to point students to electronic versions of journals or books on the shelves • QR codes could be used to label key campus locations – scanning them would link users to a “You are here” point on a map, with further information. • If you want learners to subscribe to an RSS update feed of a resource (such as a blog or wiki), include a QR code, so they can subscribe via their phones. More information • Bath University have pioneered the use of QR codes in education and write about it in their QR code blog: http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/ qrcode/ • The use of QR codes in Education: A getting started guide for academics: http://qurl.com/ z22dw • QR codes in libraries wiki: http:// qurl.com/7bfyf • QR code generator: http://www. qrstuff.com/index.html • The Daring Librarian blog (QR codes in the classroom): http:// qurl.com/3gcbf • 101 uses for QR codes: http:// qurl.com/k9cr1 • Qrafter is an efficient, free QR code reader app for the Iphone: http://qurl.com/6lkqj • QuickMark is a popular QR code reader for Android devices: http:// qurl.com/j3p38 For more information from the RSC on QR Codes, contact Matt Gallon by e-mail at m.gallon@ rsc-wm.ac.uk
E-safety tips
Looking for new resources to use in teaching and learning? Try some of these free options: URL shortener - http://bit.ly/ . Fed up with unwieldy web links? HereSign are up JISC top 10 to forLegal’s a free account tips for meeting your create shorter web links,e-safety track the responsibilities: progress of your links and access all yourresponsibility shortened links. Appoint overall for Screen capturing tool – www. e-safety to a senior staff member screentoaster.com Create your with child protection. training. own videos of onscreen actions in onean simple click. Useful for Establish e-Safety committee and include yourscreen stakeholders. capturing casts and demonstrating screen casts, Audit current e-safetytutorials measures demonstrations, and and identify areas for further lectures. development. Visual search engines. If you are looking for an alternative search Establish consistent risk engine to aid visual learners, assessment procedures for the try these two options: use of technology in learning, both on and off campus Middlespot.com – see your as screenshots which Writeresults an e-safety policy using appropriate reflecting you can language, pan and zoom like a your organisation in to line with and map. Allows you create existing policies. for saving and share a ‘workpad’ annotating search results. Provide an easily accessible document, detailing relevant Search-cube.com –presents behaviours and sanctions. thumbnail search results through 3-D cube interface. Have a clear,aconsistent, proportionate and well publicised incident response and reporting procedure. Promote the safe and responsible use of technology and raise awareness of your institution’s e-safety rules and reporting procedures through regular training. Monitor the impact of your e-safety measures and policies and respond accordingly. Provide opportunities for feedback, support and guidance. For more advice, visit the JISC Legal website at www.jisclegal.ac.uk. You can also contact Jason Curtis at the RSC by e-mail at jason. curtis@rsc-wm.ac.uk 7
Forthcoming Events
For full details, visit the events page at: www.rsc-wm.ac.uk. You can also subscribe to an RSS feed of our events. May • Virtual Worlds Forum • Assessment feedback with ee’s! Using technology to develop effective feedback practices • Discover-e 2011 • Capturing and responding to the Learner Voice June • Risk Management • Process Review • LRC Forum; Sharing East/ West Midlands practice • Moodle Users Forum
Greener visits from the RSC
We recognise how busy our learning providers are and appreciate that it’s not always easy for you to arrange face to face visits with our advisers. Thanks to technology, there are other options which save time, travel costs, and bring the expertise of the RSC directly to your workplace! Skype A free service which allows you to make and receive free calls over the Internet. You will need a Skype account, a headset and microphone (web cam optional). Check with your college/ organisation if they already have a Skype account
July • • Blackboard Users Forum • • IT Managers Forum
Elluminate JISC Advance and the RSCs widely use Elluminate, a web conferencing tool, to deliver online events and staff development sessions. The tool allows participants to ‘virtually’ attend an event or meeting with features including an interactive whiteboard and slide sharing facility. Find out more about taking part in a session on page 6. Video Conferencing RSC West Midlands has a video conferencing facility which enables us to link up remotely with other learning providers. You do not need to have video conferencing equipment to participate. Before the conference, one of our advisers will send you an e-mail featuring a link to download a video conferencing plug-in, and a link to join the video conference. NB Please consult with your organisation’s IT services before installing any software. To arrange a green visit with one of our advisers, please e-mail: support@rsc-wm.ac.uk or contact the RSC advsior of your choice
RSC Helps to Save the Planet
Contact us JISC RSC West Midlands Technology Centre Wolverhampton Science Park Glaisher Drive Wolverhampton WV10 9RU
In a further bid to be more green, RSC West Midlands will no longer provide printed copies of its newsletter following this issue. However, you can access our newsletters online in our new page turning format - Issuu.
This newsletter is printed on recycled paper
To view all our newsletters, visit http://issuu.com/rscwm
The newsletters can also be downloaded as pdfs.
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Tel: 01902 518982 E-mail: support@rsc-wm.ac.uk Web: www.rsc-wm.ac.uk
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In our Issuu library, you will find archive copies of our bi-annual newsletter as well as the SMT newsletter, also published twice a year.
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