1 iLearn@Reading: From the individual approach to the institutional approach Guy Pursey 5 June 2008.

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iLearn@Reading:

From the individual approach to the institutional approach

Guy Pursey

5 June 2008

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Background

• Been using Blackboard since 2000

• Centrally supported but not enforced

• Started using Bb AS in 2006– Community System– Content System (includes e-portfolios)

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Portfolio: Screenshot

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Pilots

14 pilots• Law• Plant Sciences• Typography• Institute of Education• History• Applied Statistics&c...

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Content System

• We renamed the tab.

• Users needed access to it to create/maintain portfolios.

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Evaluations / Issues

• Student engagement– Pedagogical issue?– Technical issue?– … maybe even an aesthetic issue?

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2007-8

• Towards end of 2006/7, PDP agenda came into play

• 4 pilots – one in each faculty

• Approx. 700 students

• All need training in Freshers’ Week!

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iLearn: Screenshot

• Built tool into a course.

• Hoped to address all three issues from before.

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iLearn: Screenshot

• Pop-up windows containing help.

• Copied from old guides with screenshots.

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iLearn: Screenshot

• Content Collection and Portfolios accessible from course.

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Perceived Advantages

• Pedagogic: Improve the perception of the tool as something more integrated than separate.

• Technical: Less emphasis on the portfolio as a part of the Content System and therefore lower expectations.

• … And: support built around tools so user doesn’t feel lost.

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“Training”

• Targeted demonstrations

• Introduction from Head of School/Dept

• Drop-in sessions

• Workshops provided on demand

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Success?

• Some, but…

• Some people not using the help files

• Had to run “clinics”

• Content System link still “clunky”

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ILP Document

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Next Year

• University-wide rollout!

• Approx. 12,000 undergraduates…

• Main emphasis on 1st year – approx. 3,000 students will need support!

• Closer integration with the tool

• Build-in new functions

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New Approach

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ILP Solution

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Other functions

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Work in progress

• Almost ready for piloting…

• Possibly use this approach with other staff?

• Perhaps pilot with other institutions?

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Any questions?

Me - [email protected]

Sarah - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!