Developing the e-environment: to support learning, research and communication Professor Trevor Sheldon 25th November, 2005
Student Network Service High speed network access (>broadband) from study bedrooms Access to: web, VLE, central filestore, printing, and STVS All on-campus rooms now covered + Fairfax House (>98% of University- managed student accommodation)
Other Network Services Network Access Service (NAS) –Hard-wired connections for portable devices –Range of locations around campus Wireless –Much of campus covered Video-conferencing –Access GRID – Computer Science –HYMS and DOFM facilities –Web meetings from PCs
Teaching rooms Range of PC classrooms: –1276 PCs –Some bookable for formal teaching –Some general access –Developing ideas on flexible working spaces Student collaboration & joint projects
Supporting Collaboration Investigating collaboration tools High performance workplace for ‘knowledge workers’ Group projects and collaborative research Technologies: forums, shared workspaces/discussion databases, calendars, video & web conferencing, instant messaging, shared visualisations Need to address home-working – related to collaboration tools Social Issues
Developing a new YorkWeb New portfolio of software and set of publishing procedures to create a world class web site. –Institutional Portal (unified gateway to online information systems) –Content management system offering streamlined publishing
Benefits of a new web Promote student recruitment Support fundraising Increase efficiency Support e-payment Enhance delivery of services Improve internal/external communication Reputational effects
A Virtual Learning Environment for York Richard Walker 25th November, 2005
What is a VLE? An on-line space to support: access to learning materials collaborative activity learner-tutor contact course organisation and management
Managed Learning Environment
VLE development across UK HEIs Access to course materials97% Access to web resources90% Assignment submission77% Collaborative working74% Formative assessment74% Summative assessment68% Peer support61%
York’s approach Promote teaching innovation Competitive edge in teaching excellence Expand markets Meet expectations of diverse student body Encourage sustainable growth Improve efficiency of learning and teaching
VLE’s contribution End-to-end student system Supporting flexible & personalised learning Supporting sharing and reuse of learning resources Fully embedded within university information systems & resources
VLE procurement process Extensive internal consultation Consultation with other HEIs Working party of key stakeholders Rigorous 4-stage procurement process Commercial and open source systems Blackboard Academic Suite – best of breed system selected
Philosophy of implementation plan Learn from other HEIs Lead in new areas Phased deployment vs ‘big bang’ Central coordination (VPIG) Devolved management & organic development Use departmental champions
Deployment timetable Phased rollout leading to full availability by Oct 2008 Jan - Mar 2005 install integrated system April – Dec 2005 system testing & prototype courses Jan - Oct waves of pilots
Project management & evaluation VPIG management of rollout Monthly budget reports and KPIs VLE Advisory Group advice on end- user requirements External evaluation: HEA sponsored research project Internal evaluation: survey/case- based research
Pilot projects Chemistryscientific writing project / plagiarism detection Historyresource discovery / links to archives Physicsinterface to robotic telescope supporting lab work Psychologyformative assessments for data analysis YCAP/GTUstaff & graduate training
Portal overview
VLE Personal tab
Programme features
VLE Programme tab
CMS Features
VLE Content (CMS) tab
Challenges Managing expectations Making optimal use of functionality Changing culture of academic practice Quality assurance and consistency, whilst supporting discipline-specific innovation and best practice