Blended Learning – Effective use of technology to provide Flexible Learning Opportunities

Workshop Outline Strategy – National & local Examples of Tools for support Examples of Resources for support Activity & Action plan Developing & implementing tools for supporting teaching & learning Technology Enhanced Learning Advocacy Scheme Staff Development Summary of findings

“New technologies are beginning to transform how Higher education is organised and delivered both on campus and at a distance but implementation must be managed with clear objectives agreed by stakeholders” (Littlejohn, 2003)

Online provision aims To provide comparable learning experiences ‘off’ &’on’ campus – through access to e-resources ‘Student success across the Institution’

Strategy at a National Level “Universities and colleges need to make online learning a central part of their strategies if they are to stay competitive globally, says a new report.” JISC news release 27 January (HEFCE, 2011)

Strategy…. Key points: The need to take advantage of rapidly developing technology and rich sources of content, and invest in high quality learning, to remain globally competitive against the challenge from international and private providers. The report makes six recommendations to institutions and the wider HE sector. They include use of online learning to enhance student choice and meet learners’ expectations; realignment of training and development to support academics to play a leading role in online provision; and the development and sharing of open educational resources to enhance efficiency and quality. Julie Swain (Aug,2010)

Strategy localised University of Plymouth Colleges (UPC) has taken a Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) approach in order to: be innovative, forward thinking, enterprising and offer flexibility and opportunity to all support flexible delivery mechanisms and development of learning opportunities through continuing professional development support distinctive academic portfolios focused towards the professions and employment break down barriers between education and work by providing flexible and convenient working opportunities that enhance work and personal prospects to enhance Foundation degrees by offering flexible Work based Learning opportunities allow learners to access study at HE level through flexible delivery to develop and offer innovative teaching and learning opportunities UoP Teaching & Learning Strategy – Key Theme 9 TEL

Includes 7 key themes Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology: a suggested framework for institutions (HEFCE 2009)Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology: a suggested framework for institutions ( Activity area : 1. Pedagogy, curriculum design and development 2. Learning resources and environments 3. Lifelong learning processes and practices 4. Strategic management, human resources and capacity development 5. Quality 6. Research and evaluation 7. Infrastructure and technical standards Focuses on priorities and examples of development goals Julie Swain (Aug,2010)

Ucisa VLE survey 2010 Key summary: The findings reveal that "enhancing the quality of learning and teaching activities" remains the primary driver for using TEL with the "availability of TEL support staff" representing the highest ranked factor in encouraging TEL development within an institution Web 2.0, mobile computing, e-assessment and support for multimedia and lecture capture are identified as the leading new demands on institutional support. Staff development, resourcing (time and money), technical infrastructure and specialist support staff reflect the key challenges in meeting these new demands, with staff development, strategies/policies and support staff seen as the primary remedies – echoing similar responses to the 2008 Survey." (ALT, 2010) Universities & Colleges Information Systems Association

Survey TEL findings & suggested activities Mobile learning – using PSP to capture learning experiences visual journals / diaries / photos - staff donating old mobiles Web 2.0 –video conferencing to enhance work based learning e-portfolio / webfolios to enhance reflection & as a interview presentation tool – enable personalised learning Flip cams – to enhance reflection and thought – sharing with others for peer review e.g. performance students - 2 nd years work with 1 st yrs Lecture capture – to recap sessions / revision Podcasting - -audio lectures or specialised talks / recap and revision E-assessment – Online formative quizzes / summative feedback through Virtual learning environment (VLE), interactive survey pads, audio feedback support for dyslexic students, Computer Aided Assessment (CAA) diagnostic testing, xerte

Survey TEL findings & suggested activities Audio feedback – instant feedback / listen to time and time again Collaborative publishing tools - Blogs, Wikis, forums, use of twitter for micro blogging – stimulate collaborative discursive work e.g. journal discussion / peer moderated discussions Webcasting – Online Collaboration services for one to one web tutorials Online presentation tools – Issuu & Prezi itunes U – Teaching & Learning materials / PR Marketing YouTube – for promotion such as National Student Survey (NSS) Social book marking tools & social networking such as Facebook for promoting & marketing courses

E-resources - to support development & implementation of technology The Centre for Learning & Performance technologies produce a Top 100 Tools for learning html html Teacher Training Videos: Multimedia Training Videos: -

E-resources - to support development & implementation of technology Student Tools Videos – tvideos.html tvideos.html Phoebe Pedagogic Planner – XERTE: JISC Interactive Copyright tool for schools and colleges- casper.org/public_repository/schools.htmlhttp://jisc- casper.org/public_repository/schools.html EduApps – scotland.ac.uk/eduappshttp:// scotland.ac.uk/eduapps OU free learning materials- OpenLearn / /

E-resources - to support development & implementation of technology Intute – free online access to education based web resources MERLOT – user centred searchable collection of peer reviewed online learning materials – Paul Andrews E-learning resources – Links to freely available online services edlearning/

Technology Enhanced Learning Advocates (TELA’s ) - Advocate and promote Higher Education Technology Enhanced Learning opportunities within their College - Support and signpost staff to Staff Development opportunities as required - Disseminate UPC and TEL agendas - raising awareness of the 'value added' - Contribute where appropriate with internal HE forums/conferences TEL updates - Assist in the development of a UPC TEL CoP to share good practice and discuss issues and feedback college issues – this would be virtual via the UPC moodle site and UPC JISC RSC SW Ning site for outputs which could form our annual Technology In Practice publication. - Contribute to College TEL & HE Strategy embedding the HEFCE Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology framework examples of documents shared UPC Blended Learning Strategy HEFCE Enhancing teaching & learning through the use of technology 2009 HEFCE e-learning strategy 2005 E-resources Presentation JISC Effective Assessment In a digital age Building Virtual Communities

What are the main reasons for you to ‘blend’ or ‘flex’ your course? Please begin by listing your initial thoughts (this maybe institution driven / student demand) Identify need…….

Activity – 10 mins discussion 10 mins feedback From the points raised discuss with your peers some of the issues around the implementation of these in your institution and use your action plan to note any personal, programme or institution aspirations….

Examples of tools to Support students UPC Welcome File Available from which includes: Given link in induction packs & letters then ed to all students on enrolment Accessible externally – linked through College VLE’s – instant access for students Some e-resources require login e.g. Metalib library  Computing Account Information  The UPC Mini Guide  Disability Assist  Library Resources & Guides NEW for 2010 – Lilipad – Interactive tutorials for using Metalib and e-resources  Study Skills Guides  Students Union  Progression to honours degree  Other UPC Colleges  UPC Careers Service  PebblePad – e-portfolio Julie Swain (jan,2011)

Examples of online tools to Support Staff Video Conferencing – communication meetings Research & scholarly activity Julie Swain (Jan,2011) Julie Swain (Jan 2011)

Examples of tools to support study skills – Higher Education Study Skills (HESS) Students required online study skills support 24/7 for whole FD Giving greater flexibility to learning & re- confirm learning Familiarity of UoP e-resources in preparation for stage 3 Progressive through academic levels to develop skills – Stage 1,2 &3 Teaching resource & self study – to include downloadable & interactive resources, quizzes for formative assessments Julie Swain (Aug,2010)

5 Julie Swain (jan,2011)

Training & supporting staff through collaborative dissemination Technology Enhanced Learning Advocates supporting and training staff working remotely UPC CPD enhancement opportunities to support individuals & programme teams Link with JISC RSC SW HE e-learning advisor –”Teaching In Practice” showcase & collaborative events Support & develop appropriate physical & virtual staff communities Staff development

Support staff to support students & each other through effective use of technologies Communicate consistency to the staff & students ‘Managing the bridge ’ sharing good practice ‘Managing the bridge ’ sharing good practice

Summary Changing Landscape ‘Use what we have got access to’ Utilise the technology we have appropriately to enhance the learner experience… Julie Swain (Aug,2010)

This resource was created by Julie Swain as an employee of the University of Plymouth and released as an open educational resource with the support of the Educational Development Open Resources (EDOR) Project. The EDOR Project was funded by HEFCE as part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER programme and coordinated by the HEA GEES Subject Centre. This resource [not including logos   is licensed under the terms of the Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales license ( 1 However the resource, where specified below, contains other 3rd party materials under their own licenses. The licenses and attributions are outlined below: 1.The name of the University of Plymouth and its logos are unregistered trade marks of the University. The University reserves all rights to these items beyond their inclusion in these CC resources. 2.The name of JISC and its logo are unregistered trade marks of JISC. JISC reserve all rights to this item beyond its inclusion in these CC resources 3.The name of the HEA Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and its logo are unregistered trade marks of the HEA. The HEA reserve all rights to this item beyond its inclusion in these CC resources