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

Two aspects of embedding Institutional –Policies –Procedures –Roles –Responsibilities Cultural/Practice –Teaching Staff/ Pedagogy –Management –Administration –Learners IWMW Kent

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 Kent A 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 Kent The Staffordshire Background E-Learning introduced 1997 Strategic Approach Top down & bottom up Learning Development Centre Two VLEs – LLS and COSE

IWMW Kent The 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 Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent 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 Kent About 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 Kent 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 Kent Aspects 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 Kent An example of success Two complete elearning modules from conception through validation and production to delivery in 9 weeks

IWMW Kent 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 Kent eL-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 Kent Some Areas (1) Approval of new course proposals Changes of Delivery to include eLearning Categorising Courses Requirements at Validation/Approval to Proceed Stage

IWMW Kent Some Areas (2) Staff Development End of Course Procedures· “Novel” Models Costing, Charging/Fees

IWMW Kent Some of Areas (3) Assessment Teaching Quality Development Plan Quality Assurance prior to delivery

IWMW Kent Some of Areas (4) Development VLE Processes “Trigger” for Delivery following QA Enrolment Support of Students

IWMW Kent Some of Areas (5) Support of Staff during Delivery VLE “Systems” Administration and Support VLE “Application” Administration and Support

IWMW Kent How 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 Kent National Activity JISC MLE Development Pack A major web-based resource –Oleg Liber - Lead Consultant –Sarah Holyfield - Commissioning Editor

IWMW Kent JISC MLE Development Pack A. Policy Issues Stuart Lee B. Organisational questions Grainne Conole C. Technological options Tom Franklin D. Establishing requirements Tony Toole E. Designing the MLE Greg Newton-Ingham F. Implementation Issues Ian Bloor G. Embedding MLEs into institutions Mark Stiles

IWMW Kent Section 7 Structure 1.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 Kent JISC MLE Development Pack We all want your help: Reports Articles Vignettes Examples Ideas etc Us! See your name up there!!!

IWMW Kent Thanks PLEASE me at: See some of my writings: