Beyond Your VLE – Strategic Challenges – Embedding at Staffordshire University Professor Mark Stiles Head of Learning Development & Innovation Staffordshire.

Beyond Your VLEBeyond Your VLE– – Strategic Challenges – Embedding at Staffordshire UniversityStrategic Challenges – Embedding at Staffordshire University

Professor Mark StilesProfessor Mark StilesHead of Learning Development & InnovationHead of Learning Development & Innovation

Staffordshire UniversityStaffordshire University

IWMW 2003 - Kent

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Two aspects of embeddingTwo aspects of embedding

Institutional– Policies– Procedures– Roles– Responsibilities

Cultural/Practice– Teaching Staff/ Pedagogy– Management– Administration– Learners

IWMW 2003 - Kent

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Embedded?Embedded?

I think:– The use of MLEs can be considered to be fully embedded

into an institution when all of the policies, procedures, roles and responsibilities that pertain to the use of an MLE are fully integrated – not just with each other but with

those which apply to the institution in its normal practice. … before Culture Change can be

successfully fully achieved

IWMW 2003 - Kent

A bit of National ContextA bit of National Context Major focus still on “transmission”, lectures, traditional

assessments and examinations

Support lacks focus on learning

Whole-institution strategies rare (a barrier to adoption)

E-Learning not “joined-up” with other strategies such as WP

Embedding not yet understood

Need to understand MLE vs. VLE

IWMW 2003 - Kent

The Staffordshire BackgroundThe Staffordshire Background

E-Learning introduced 1997Strategic ApproachTop down & bottom upLearning Development CentreTwo VLEs – LLS and COSE

IWMW 2003 - Kent

The Picture in Summer 2002The Picture in Summer 2002

Many modules using e-learning for “real” Full distance e-learning awards Good spread across institution LLS being phased out for BB + COSE VLE-MIS links for enrolment VLE – eResources links being developed Strategies quite well joined-up

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Remember... After six years… Remember... After six years…

We are rather good at eLearning

We have some stand-out successes

We have developed considerable expertise

Otherwise I wouldn’t continue with comes next!!!

IWMW 2003 - Kent

But…But… Rate of change slowing

Developments still “project” rather than “production”

Not a “learning organisation”

Problems with students falling through “admin net”

Support for “eLearners” from services & academics uneven

Foundation Degrees shown up weaknesses in policies & procedures, and problems with roles & responsibilities

Rules for approving new developments insufficiently sharp

Core support not told of plans for new courses early enough

Policies, procedures, roles & responsibilities affecting eLearning not “joined up” or embedded

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Things we have picked up on….Things we have picked up on….

• New integrated Service • Integrative Approach to Development:

• Make development a “production process”• Involve all “the parts”• Ensure the organisation learns

• This led to “el-P2R2”

IWMW 2003 - Kent

About Integrative DevelopmentAbout Integrative Development

Planning & Management of Development Preparation for Approval/Validation Staff Development Pedagogy & Course Design Building the VLE Course Structure Resources Content Creation Populating the VLE Course Planning Induction & Delivery Supporting Delivery Supporting Monitoring and Evaluation

In partnership with the academic group

IWMW 2003 - Kent

By…By…

Learning Development Specialists:• Planning and Management of Development• Pedagogy Course Design• Building the VLE Course Structure• Planning Induction & Delivery

Learning Support/Information Specialists:• Resources• Content Creation• Populating the VLE Course

Both of these plus IT Support• Preparation for approval/validation• Supporting Delivery & Staff Development

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Aspects of productionAspects of production An LD Manager or Specialist to lead each development

An agreed development plan and schedule

Work with academics to plan VLE course structure & approach

Produce a skeleton structure in VLE

Help identify e-resources and help with © and IPR

Take material produced by academics and build into VLE

Deal with accessibility and usability

Provide required staff development

Provide a “getting ready” and “induction” checklist

Make sure staff & students know where to go for help

IWMW 2003 - Kent

An example of successAn example of success

Two complete elearning modules from conception through validation and production to delivery in 9 weeks

IWMW 2003 - Kent

But…But…

Still not a “learning organisation” – but better!

Still problems with students falling through “admin net”

Support for “eLearners” still uneven

Rules for approving new developments still insufficiently sharp (or clear)

Core support still not told of plans for new courses early enough

Policies, procedures, roles & responsibilities affecting eLearning still not “joined up” or embedded

IWMW 2003 - Kent

eL-P2R2eL-P2R2

A root and branch review of ANYTHING that affects e-Learning in terms of Policies. Procedures, Roles & Responsibilities.

To produce a road-map for e-Learning

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Some Areas (1)Some Areas (1)

Approval of new course proposalsChanges of Delivery to include

eLearningCategorising CoursesRequirements at Validation/Approval

to Proceed Stage

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Some Areas (2)Some Areas (2)

Staff DevelopmentEnd of Course Procedures·“Novel” ModelsCosting, Charging/Fees

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Some of Areas (3)Some of Areas (3)

AssessmentTeaching QualityDevelopment Plan Quality Assurance prior to delivery

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Some of Areas (4)Some of Areas (4)

Development VLE Processes“Trigger” for Delivery following QAEnrolmentSupport of Students

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Some of Areas (5)Some of Areas (5)

Support of Staff during DeliveryVLE “Systems” Administration and

SupportVLE “Application” Administration

and Support

IWMW 2003 - Kent

How this is being doneHow this is being done

Led by me with “top-level” sponsorship “Lifting Rocks” Lots of interviews/meetings Working Group for different components “Rolling Report”

IWMW 2003 - Kent

National Activity National Activity

JISC MLE Development Pack

A major web-based resource– Oleg Liber - Lead Consultant– Sarah Holyfield - Commissioning Editor

IWMW 2003 - Kent

JISC MLE Development PackJISC MLE Development Pack

A. Policy Issues Stuart Lee [email protected]

B. Organisational questions Grainne Conole [email protected]

C. Technological options Tom Franklin [email protected]

D. Establishing requirements Tony Toole [email protected]

E. Designing the MLE Greg Newton-Ingham [email protected]

F. Implementation Issues Ian Bloor [email protected]

G. Embedding MLEs into institutions Mark Stiles [email protected]

IWMW 2003 - Kent

Section 7 StructureSection 7 Structure1. Implementing organizational change

2. Culture change methods

3. Teaching & Learning Practice

4. Management of Teaching & Learning

5. Supporting Course Development

6. Supporting Course Delivery

7. Administration Issues

8. Staff Development

9. Sustainability

10. General Questions

IWMW 2003 - Kent

JISC MLE Development PackJISC MLE Development Pack

We all want your help:ReportsArticlesVignettesExamplesIdeas etc

Email Us!

See your name up there!!!

IWMW 2003 - Kent

ThanksThanks

PLEASE email me at:

[email protected]

See some of my writings:www.staffs.ac.uk/COSE/cosenew/reportsandpapers.html