Using networked technologies to support staff development 1.Some definitions. 2.Where are we now? 3.Some potential benefits/applications. 4.Issues to consider in using networked technologies. 5.What tools and resources are available to you? 6.Some practical hints and tips to get you started. 7.Some questions for you to consider….. Susan Paurelle Learning Technology Coordinator Canterbury Christ Church University College July 2005

Some definitions “e-learning is used to describe the diverse use of information and communications technologies that support and enhance learning, teaching and assessment from face-to-face courses supplemented by a range of online resources to fully online courses.” Littlejohn and Higginson LTSN e-learning series Network technologies can be described as any technology that can sit on the Internet – e.g. , world wide web, newsgroups, discussion forums, blogs. “e-Learning can cover a spectrum of activities from supporting learning, to blended learning (the combination of traditional and e-learning practices), to learning that is delivered entirely online. Whatever the technology, however, learning is the vital element”. JISC Using networked technologies to support staff development

Where are we now? “ The dotcom boom led to many hyped-up claims, not least that, by now, we would all be sitting at computers instead of in classrooms when it came to workplace training”. Guardian online Was also much Government interest in fully e-learning – e.g. UKeU Now interest in both education and staff development is more realistic and focused on blended approaches rather than fully online learning. Today all but 2% of HE and FE institutions in the UK make use of a Virtual Learning Environment to support learning. Using networked technologies to support staff development

Where are we now? The CIPD has identified three types of e-learning Web-based training (content focused) Supported online learning (content plus interaction) Informal e-learning CIPD now say that “e-learning is now accepted as an essential feature of training delivery” Recent CIPD survey revealed key issues for the sector Need for a culture change in the learners for e-learning to work e-learning works best when combined with more traditional forms of learning – blended. Using networked technologies to support staff development

Where are we now? Yet, beyond training, network technologies can aid staff development in other ways, e.g: Personal development planning and e-portfolios – e.g PROGRESSPROGRESS Online Communities – e.g JISCmailJISCmail Blogs – an examplean example Knowledge management systems. E-learning technologies are now able to deliver not just “stuff” (i.e. information) but also “stir” (i.e. communication, collaboration etc) Allison Rossett Interaction is the key. Nevertheless, much e-learning is still about stuff – the challenge is to integrate the stir. Using networked technologies to support staff development

Some potential benefits/applications of networked technologies Possible reduction in costs of staff development (in the longer term). Increases flexibility. Aids work-based learning. Good for just in time learning. Provides testing and self-evaluation opportunities. Can enable linkage of resources and tools. Aids learning networks. Can assist in learner preparation and reflection. Assisting Personal Development Planning, reflection and lifelong learning. Essential for knowledge management in distributed organisations. For staff developers with HE and FE there is already a wealth of systems and expertise on e-learning – just need to know where to find it! Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider in using network technologies If they build it, will they come? If they come, will they learn? If they learn, does it matter? The Change Agenda CIPD, 2003 Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider in using network technologies Issues to consider: Resources and support at your disposal The organisation The learners What is to be learned “Ask an organization about its e-learning strategy and the reply will likely include only two components: content and delivery. Although content and delivery are important, they alone don't equal e-learning success. In fact, focusing on content and delivery can create a myopic e-learning vision”. Karen McGraw – E-learning Strategy equals Infrastructure, 2001 Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider – Resources and support at your disposal Could an institutional learning technology unit support you in terms of technological and pedagogical issues? Your Library could advice on copyright and legal issues. Does your organisation have a VLE? Is use of the VLE commonplace – who has access and how are they trained? What other learning technology systems are being used by your organisation that you could also make use of? Does your infrastructure allow for external resources to be placed on internal systems? How could your Computing Services assist you? What are your skills and experience in e-learning? Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider – The organisation What does your institution understand by e-learning? What is senior staff’s understanding and interest in e-learning? What is the culture? Who are the stakeholders? What help can you get? What are the institutional goals and strategies? Does your institution have an e-learning strategy – all will have to do so within a year as a result of the HEFCE e-learning strategy – but is your organisation considering staff development within this? Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider – The Learners Who are your learners? Topics Levels Learning styles What numbers are we talking about that need access to learning? At what level are staff technical skills? What are their e-learning skills? Where are your learners located? Do your staff have access and the ability to use technology to learn? How are you going to support your staff to use networked technologies? Using networked technologies to support staff development

Issues to consider – What is to be learned What competencies are needed amongst your workforce? When can learning occur? What types of learning occur? What format are current materials in? If you intend to buy in materials – who is going to judge quality? Do you have copyright clearance to use materials? How is knowledge generated? Using networked technologies to support staff development

What tools and resources are available to you? Web-based information VLEs Discussion boards and/or chat rooms Knowledge and Content Management Systems/Portal Blogs Audio and video or CD Roms Computer Aided Assessment * Most HEIs about here in terms of learning and teaching Using networked technologies to support staff development

Hints and tips to get you started Find out who can help within your organisation: Learning and Teaching Unit Computing Department Library Audit your resources, support, organisation, learners and what is to be learned and what you want to enhance about your service – then consider whether technology can help you. Consider what “blend” you want Consult on what tools you could use Consult on whether resources will be developed internally or bought in externally. Pilot and evaluate Remember that it e-learning is still about learning not technology (CIPD) Using networked technologies to support staff development

Some questions for you to consider….. 1.What do you think the potential is for using networked technologies as part of staff development within your institution? 2.What are the perceived barriers? 3.What do you need to get started? Using networked technologies to support staff development