The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a national centre of excellence in the development and use of technology-based methods in teaching, learning and research 1 Institute for Learning and Research Technology VLEs, MLEs and beyond Dr. Grainne Conole 11th December 2001, Durham

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 2 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Overview Where we are now? The new learning environments –what are they? –what do they purport to do? The wider context and key issues Practical first steps

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 3 Institute for Learning and Research Technology The next wave... a moving target Crests of the wave Early authoring and communication tools Computer Assisted Learning, Computer Assisted Assessment, Computer Mediated Collaboration , and the Web Virtual Learning Environments Combination of tools Steady grow in the last 5 years Next stage on from online resources or CMC Managed Learning Environments Emergence of ‘joined up’ thinking Institutional impact More holistic strategic thinking

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 4 Institute for Learning and Research Technology VLEs and MLEs defined JISC definition

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 5 Institute for Learning and Research Technology JISC,

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 6 Institute for Learning and Research Technology "The hard truth is that without a Managed Learning Environment a University is not sustainable far into the 21st century" JISC MLE Workshop, 29th February and 7 March 200

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 7 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Household names… WebCT Blackboard Learning space FirstClass Fretwell Downing TopClassToolbook BoxMind Web course in a box TechniKal Webboard ???? but for how long?

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 8 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Access to a wealth of resources The party political promises Transferable skills Active participation Giving competitive edge Enhancing the learning experience Anytime, anyplace Reflective thinking Building virtual online communities Integration learning environments IMS compliant and joined up New forms of learning Sage on the stage to guide on the side

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 9 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Deja vu? The word processing battle…. Ah, but superscripting chemical formula with Chiwriter is dead easy WordPerfect has a much better equation facility Pressing F5 is easier than using pull down menus The scene…1989 Lunchtime in the Chemistry department

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 10 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Isn’t it the quality of the essay that matters? But….

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 11 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Changing mindsets Technical Functional The current picture Everyone else Panic reaction Fear of the unknown Disjointed thinking Integration Focus on learning The longer term Management Implementation Maintenance Training needs Current focus Shift towards

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 12 Institute for Learning and Research Technology But what can they do? Three main applications –as an administrative tool for management –providing a mechanism for storing information and knowledge –acting as a support or supplement to learning and teaching

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 13 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Communication –Virtual notice boards –Pre- and post meeting agendas, minutes and papers – and mailing lists - staff_general, coffee, help, special_interest –Discussion boards for debates around meetings or issues Management –Staff and student details –Collaborative document writing –Track changes for policy and strategy documents –Student tracking –As a staff development tool - ‘nursery slope’ –Way of sharing of expertise

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 14 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Information and Knowledge Information management –Virtual filing cabinet –Storing of teaching materials –Information on course documentation, curriculum, syllabus –Timetables –Diary of assignments and teaching activities Knowledge management –staff expertise database –course and activity templates –shared resources –questionnaire database –‘How to’ guides, FAQ database –shared bookmarks –reference and materials repository

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 15 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Teaching and Learning Communication –Discussion boards to extend face-to-face contact pre- and post- class topics peer student support the question garden –Live chat interactive student panel brainstorming –External experts Active learning –Content Interactive content –Assessment formative and summative e-portfolios –Collaborative learning student drop box learning sets virtual pen pals

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 16 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Technical: Functionality, interoperability, robustness Pedagogical: Types of learning, integration, support A complex matrix of issues Structural: What structures, who should do what Support: Training and staff development, student help Strategy: Institutional leadership, Joined up strategies Culture: organisational change, ownership, time to adapt

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 17 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Position on the spectrum? Build or buy? Online or face-to-face? Degree of investment? Joined-up or stand alone? Integrated strategies? Now and in the future

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 18 Institute for Learning and Research Technology ‘Gotchas’ Competitors Moving targets Copyright Resources Culture Accessibility Build or buy

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 19 Institute for Learning and Research Technology Small steps that can make a difference A tip a day from LTSS….

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 20 Institute for Learning and Research Technology What’s your anorak rating? Complete an online questionnaire to find out your Anorak rating on a scale of

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 21 Institute for Learning and Research Technology References  More on VLEs:  Review of teaching, tools and techniques:  JISC pedagogical framework for VLEs:  Usability -  Web developer resource kit: Webmonkey –

The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research 22 Institute for Learning and Research Technology  Current JISC MLE projects:  Accessibility:  Technology watch -  JISC legal information service:  JISC advisory services:  JISC fair dealing guidelines:  Copyright basics - whatiscopyright.org/