Establishing your VLE across the organisation

Kate Marshall, Learning Resources Manager , Grantham College

Establishing Your VLE

Across the Organisation…The Grantham College Journey

Sessions aims

To focus on organisational strategies to embed VLE

usage

To share the journey of Grantham College in

implementing such strategies

The Context…

2006-7 Moodle pilot project

2007-8 Moodle training rolled out

2008-9 Continued training

Audit of VLE courses

The Problem…

2009-10 Nominally 65% coverage but:

Quantitative not qualitative reviewPockets of good practiceLack of consistent approachLearners want more VLE content

VLE StrategyImplementing a quality improvement framework to:

Continue to embed e-Learning within the curriculum so that it is

blended into all curriculum areas and all courses

Encourage consistency and innovation in VLE development across

and within curriculum areas

Identify, recognise and disseminate good practice in the use of the

VLE VLE Strategy 2009-12

VLE Strategy

VLE Strategy in practice:

Course content guidelines – to provide structure and increased consistency

VLE awards scheme – to reward and motivate

Mandatory course content:

From Sept 2010 all ‘target’ courses must contain the following:Module outline/handbook

Contact details of all staff teaching on the course

Details of assessment

Course Content Guidelines

Mandatory course content:

Also to be considered ‘active’ the course must have the following:Relevant staff attached in teacher role or non-editing teacher role as appropriate

Current registered class group attached in student role

Course Content Guidelines

Recommended course content:

Course Content Guidelines

Copies of materials circulated or presented in class including handouts, web links, presentations

Use of the Grades function to track both online and offline assessment grades

A link to the course textbook in electronic format if available via Learning Resources

Suggested course content:

Course Content Guidelines

Guidance on good quality web resources for the subject

Recommended reading extracts within the confines of copyright law

Glossaries of key terms, constructed by tutor or contributions from learners

Opportunities to gather learner feedback – questionnaires, forums etc.

Suggested course content:

Course Content Guidelines

Extension activities to support differentiated learning

Material in a variety of media and formats to appeal to different learning styles

Activities which promote communication/collaboration and socially constructed learning, including class discussions, wikis, glossaries

Activities to provide formative feedback opportunities

VLE Awards Scheme

VLE Awards Scheme Aims to: Identify, reward and celebrate good practiceRecognise quality rather than quantity of contentProvide recognition of achievement at all levelsProvide a framework to motivate staff to develop engaging VLE content

VLE Awards Scheme

Focus on:Compliance with mandatory course contentEngagement with recommended and suggested course content guidelinesDifferentiation in the range of resources and activitiesOpportunities for communication and collaborationParticipation by staff and learnersAccessibility of resources

VLE Awards Scheme

Learning Resources Manager grades courses based on framework

Reward for different levels of engagement

VLE Awards Scheme Implemented April 2010 with staff self-selecting for entrance

From Sept 2010 all courses graded as part of compliance audit

Supporting Initiatives

Practitioner led mandatory Staff ILT conference ILT Mentoring schemeeSupport serviceILT Good Practice GroupCollege quality processes

Progress to date

Current compliance with the mandatory content is 67%62 awards confirmed with 18 pending mandatory content

  Student Hits Staff Hits

2010-11 343721 115274

2009-10 284944 94223

2008-9 161076 70739

Lessons LearnedThe Way Forward

Lessons Learned and the FutureMonitoring and review:Work with new departmental adminsStaff ILT skills reviewVLE auditVLE awards scheme

VLE development:Grades and trackingILPClassroom use of VLE

Factors for SuccessSupport from senior management

Close liaison with curriculum managers

Dedicated staff to coordinate VLE strategy

Range of support services to assist staff to develop their skills

Clear and structured framework for staff to work to

Incentives

Sharing of best practice

Further ResourcesThis presentation was part of the RSC East Midlands e-fair 2011“Becoming an agile learning provider” for more information and to see all the resources go to http://moodle.rsc-em.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=227