University VLE Implementation Project New University VLE: Progress Update Tony Cobb VLE Technical Team Leader
Dec 21, 2015
University VLE Implementation Project
New University VLE: Progress Update
Tony Cobb
VLE Technical Team Leader
University VLE
Implementation Project
2
Agenda
• The 5-Year Vision and the 2-Year Initial Expectation
• What we have done so far – the evaluation & selection process
• Current activities
• The VLE implementation project
• After the implementation project - long term support & development of the VLE
University VLE
Implementation Project
The Vision Statement
By the start of the 2011/12 academic year the use of the VLE and other learning technologies to provide a blended learning student experience will be the normal expectation for all staff and students. Face-to-face teaching will continue to be the main element of the student learning experience, with the use of technology enabling better use to be made of that contact time. All students will have online access to elements of teaching, learning, assessment and student support and guidance. The provision of appropriate technology will enable all staff and students to interact on or off campus with access to all necessary resources.
Approved by the University’s Learning & Teaching Board, February 2007
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: At programme level
• Generic help and advice for students
Health & Safety
Staff/Student Committees
Approved by the University’s Learning & Teaching Board, February 2007
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Administration
• Printable module summaries
• Printable details of staff involved with a module
• Printable personal timetable
• Module sub-group details e.g. tutor groups
• Announcements
• Module feedback questionnaire
• Links to module review documentation
Approved by the University’s Learning & Teaching Board, February 2007
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Learning Resources #1
• A resource for every lecture e.g.
A brief summary of the content, or
Bullet points giving the structure, or
Key points to be presented, or
Full lecture notes
• A resource for every other planned activity e.g. workshops/tutorials
The questions
Directions for the reading
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Learning Resources #2
• Links/RSS feeds to, for example, one or more of
Students’ PDP areas
Key online journals, databases, departmental software, etc.
Relevant generic skills resources e.g. maths support, referencing, avoiding plagiarism, presentation skills, note-taking, etc.
Reading list & library
Past exam papers system
Searchable FAQ section
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Learning Resources #3
• Assessment information including
Timetable of deadlines linked to the student calendar
Assessment results & portfolio of marks
• Links to resources external to the module, e.g.
How the module fits into the programme
Research links (to emphasise T/R links)
Modules that might usefully follow-on
Ideas for more advanced study, not to be examined upon
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Learning Resources #4
• At least one activity, as appropriate, which may include (but is not limited to) the use of one or more of:
Pigeonhole for online submission
Short multiple choice quiz, more elaborate assessments via QMP or
Maple TA, self-assessment exercise(s)
Chat rooms; Online discussion
Wikis
Polls
Blogs
Peer assessment tools
Simulations
University VLE
Implementation Project
2-Year Initial Expectation: Learning Resources #5
• With instructions for carrying out the activity, & details of contribution to module mark if assessed
• With assessment feedback, returned within a set timeframe
Approved by the University’s Learning & Teaching Board, February 2007
University VLE
Implementation Project
The Procurement Process #1
• Following EU Procurement rules
• December 2006: Initial advertisement in the EU Journal
• January 2007: 12 expressions of interest received Canada, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, UK, USA
Evaluated the 12 companies looking at functional capabilities of the systems, technical attributes of the systems, capabilities of the companies to assist in the implementation & support of the systems, financial status of the companies
4 companies invited to tender: ANGEL Learning (USA)
Blackboard (USA)
Desire2Learn (Canada)
Unicon (USA): Implementation of Sakai
University VLE
Implementation Project
The Procurement Process #2
• ANGEL failed to submit a tender
• Tenders from Blackboard, Desire2Learn & Unicon reviewed for:
Functionality
Technical requirements
Integration
Implementation support
Ongoing support
Company financial status
• VLE Steering Group met on 19 March & decided to continue with Blackboard & Desire2Learn
University VLE
Implementation Project
The Procurement Process #3
Evaluation of Blackboard & Desire2Learn
• Face-to-face meetings
• Conference calls
• Access to test versions of the systems
• Companies submitted extra information and revised costs
• Prepared reports for VLE Steering Group on 14 May
University VLE
Implementation Project
Current Activities
• Revised project budget now approved
• Negotiations with Blackboard over contracts taking place
• Exercise to recruit project staff commenced
• Establishing processes for providing the Blackboard system with staff & student data
• Establishing a project office
• Preparing for hardware purchase, installation & commissioning
• Commencing project planning
• Project Initiation Document
University VLE
Implementation Project
Approach to the Implementation Project
• This is a University project
• Many responsibilities will be devolved to the faculties
Faculty VLE Implementation Teams
School VLE Implementation Teams (optional)
Faculty VLE Pilot Teams
• Central project team
Project Manager: Peter Bollands
Functional Support Team: Lead is Anne Ramsden
Staff Development & Training Team: Lead is Melissa Highton
Technical Team: Lead is Tony Cobb
• One overall project
University VLE
Implementation Project
Project Board (VLE Steering
Group)
Sponsor
(PVC L&T)
Learning & Teaching
Board
VLE Project Management
Team
Faculty VLE Implementation
Teams
Central VLE Functional
Support Team
Central VLE Staff Devt &
Training Team
Central VLE Technical
Team
School VLE
Implementation
Teams (optional)
Faculty
VLE Pilot
Teams
VLE Project Office &
Communication
Faculty
Learning & Teaching
Committees
Software supplier
L&T Systems Steering Group
(and ISSG)
VLE Vision Group
VLE Implementation Project Organisation
University VLE
Implementation Project
The VLE Implementation Project: Integration
• Banner, Universal Programme & Module Catalogue, SAP
• Turnitin
• QuestionMark Perception, Maple TA
• Student Portal
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Others…..
University VLE
Implementation Project
The VLE Implementation Project: Migration
• Use IMS standard format to transfer from Bodington
• Links to retraining of Bodington users
• Testing in the period before Christmas 2007
• Blackboard will be configured in academic years for content
University VLE
Implementation Project
The VLE Implementation Project: Technical Areas
• ISS UNIX Systems Team will support the hardware, software & database
• Purchase & install UNIX hardware
• Failover system
• Backup system
• Link to SAN
• Oracle database
• Install patches, upgrades, etc.
• Extra member of staff recruited into ISS to support this area
University VLE
Implementation Project
The VLE Implementation Project: Staff Training
• Commence in early 2008 (exact date to be confirmed) for Bodington users
• Will be delivered by the Project’s Staff Development & Training Team
• After the Project, training will continue to be delivered (probably by SDDU)
• Details of the ways that training will be delivered and what the training will be are to be confirmed
University VLE
Implementation Project
Long term support & development of the VLE
• Closedown of Bodington at the end of the 2008/9 session
• New VLE support is within the project until the end of the 2008/9 session
• Post-project support commences in August 2009
• L&TSSG projects for VLE development in 2011/12 & 2012/13