Wider Horizons: a regional portal for lifelong learning EUNIS 2008 AARHUS - Denmark

Background Viv Bell is Learning Technology Co-ordinator for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lifelong Learning Network. (HWLLN) Andrew Rothery is Head of Innovation in E- Learning at the University of Worcester Both are jointly leading the project to develop the new portal and online environment, called “Wider Horizons”. The project started in March 2007 and the initial prototype was launched in May 2008.

About the LLN The overall objective for Lifelong Learning Networks (LLNs) is to improve the coherence, clarity and certainty of progression opportunities for vocational learners into and through higher education (HE). The Lifelong Learning Networks are funded by the Higher Educational Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Background The aim of Wider Horizons is to provide an online environment for information and interaction. A number of stakeholders will provide information: the university, the Further Education colleges in the surrounding region, educational and public organizations locally, and employers.

System Design The system needed to include access for authors to “information areas” on the portal where content could be edited and uploaded. A simple approach was adopted whereby a main website is linked to a collection of interactive information areas set up using Moodle. These Moodle areas can be “owned” by the stakeholders and can contain any information they wish to provide for the users.

Implementation The decision to link Moodle to a main website solved the challenging problem of designing a regional virtual learning environment that is also a web based information portal. The team have begun user testing with small groups of users and this will be rolled out on a larger scale during Autumn 2008, leading to full implementation by January 2009.

Target Users The main target users for Wider Horizons will be students or prospective students from Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The purpose of the portal is to provide information on progression towards higher education in the region.

The Main website The main web site provides information through tabs to: Local courses. There is a search facility for users looking for local HE courses in the region and links to a variety course finding tools. There are also links to the taster courses held in the Moodle information areas. Where to study. There is a map of all the educational institutions in the region with information about each one. This section will be expanded in the future to include any other information the institutions feel might help the user decide on the most suitable place of study. Help and advice. This section has information and advice for users on a range of topics, including: mature student support, disability advice, financial help, careers advice, student services, discussion forums and more. Future developments will include a progression tool for users so they can plan the next stage of their education and career. Careers and jobs. The careers and jobs section includes examples of career paths, local employer information, example CVs, and in the future will include forums involving employers.

What do the information areas contain? Though the main website is open, users may need to register and log in to access the some of the Information Areas. A number of very different types of area are planned: some will be rather like mini- courses, but many will be interactive information services. Demo of these

Personal Space: Portfolio In addition to the Moodle personal tools, we have introduced an extra “block” called My Info which is based on an e-portfolio add-on. My Info gives users a text editor and a file upload facility. It is arranged so users can create a profile, a curriculum vitae (CV) and information about their educational background and aspirations. In addition there is an area which is rather like a blog but less structured: users can upload a series of written items, which can include uploaded files. - Demo of this

Communication We wish to encourage communications between students and between tutors, students and institutions so we have provided forum areas for the exchange of information and places to meet. This way we will build an educational community in the region

A model for Other regions The concept and design of the portal works well for our region - which is a large rural area with one university and ten colleges of further education. Our model was to design a system with a central core, with information areas that are owned and managed by the stakeholders, that is seamless to the user. Our model could work well in other similar situations, especially where there is a consortium of partners who work together to support students

The Future User testing and trial by students in October 2008 with full launch spring 2009 Further content development over the next two years (2008 to 2010) Sustainability for the future