What is Merlin? www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin

Inter-operability data interchange Simplified Sign On Service What is SWGfL Merlin? uLearn Content Audio Networks British Pathe Espresso Big Day Out SWGfL VCS Inter-operability data interchange User Directory SIMS Your MIS VLE Your VLE Space Tools Library Blog Community Wiki Personal Forums etc. Virtual Desktop Simplified Sign On Service

SWGfL Merlin - A starting point… Building your school’s platform – plugging in your choice of tools Existing SWGfL services In addition to the core toolset of SWGfL Merlin, the foundation provision for schools in the South West will include the incorporation of SWGfL existing services: SWGfL mail SWGfL video conferencing Web Hosting SWGfL regional educational portal SWGfL monitoring and filtering National Education Network Search SWGfL is one of ten regional broadband consortia (RBCs) that make up the national education network. SWGfL Merlin will integrate the National Education Network search tool, a ‘Google for Education’, that will enable searches across all ten RBCs and key educational sites. Access to online content publishers Many schools will already subscribe to content online from educational publishers. Provided these publishers adhere to the national standard of the ‘UK Access Management Federation’, teachers and students will be able to access the content directly through SWGfL Merlin, without the need for additional usernames and passwords.It is envisaged that schools will be able to ‘start their journey’ in gaining experience of learning platforms with the combination of the core SWGfL Merlin tools, the incorporation of existing content subscriptions and SWGfL services. An extended learning platform

SWGfL Merlin vs VLE

SWGfL Merlin www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin

My (First) Place User - appropriate interfaces Choice of colour themes Personalisable Desktop

On-line Portfolio All pupils and staff have an on-line portfolio which they can share with staff, parents and selected classmates.

Our Places Shared Places may be set up for any group of users, for any purpose: Curriculum Pastoral Extra-curricular activities Collaboration with other schools or outside agencies

The owner or administrator of the shared place can set the membership and level of access. They are ideal for storing confidential information.

Sharing and support across Clusters LA South west region

Calendars Shared calendars can be added in each Shared Place including whole school and LA A user’s personal calendar allows them to merge relevant calendars

Layout and content is customisable and might include Video and audio Flash animations Blogs Wikis Surveys Discussions Calendars Document libraries Links Embedded webpages

Tools for communication Blogs

Tools for communication Surveys and discussion forums Targeted news

Tools for collaboration Shared document libraries with workflow Wikis

Implementation Prioritising objectives Does the school have a vision? Schools Does the school have a vision? Are they technically ready? Are senior staff committed? Is the ‘culture’ right? Prioritising objectives Reviewing where they are Identifying key personnel Identifying and budgeting for necessary resources including TIME ‘Cleaning up’ MIS data Drawing up a step by step Action Plan Change Management Training and support www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin