1/25 Establishing an infrastructure to support e-learning Val Brocki IMT Co-ordinator Airedale NHS Trust/NPfIT ETD Lead Bradford Health Informatics Service

2/25 Abstract What do NHS Trusts need to do to support e- learning? How can we ensure it is cost-effective? In what ways do we need to work differently? A look at how collaborative approaches like Bradford Health Informatics Service’s “Learnonline “ can help.

3/25 More questions than answers! Experience to date of Airedale NHS Trust in establishing structures to support the implementation of e-learning. Groups Staff Resource issues Collaborative work

4/25 The nightmare! Large amounts of money wasted on buying expensive e- learning resources that do not meet learners’ needs because they are not adequately supported!

5/12 Trust E-learning Strategy Group Representatives from Training (IMT and General) I.T. Professional Development (acute, theatres, women & children’s, AHPs) Hotel Services Library & Knowledge Management Risk Management Bradford Health Informatics Service (E-Learning Project Manager)

6/25 Trust E-learning Strategy Group Aims: To audit current e-learning activity (and learn from experience) To establish a network of e-learning advisors covering all parts of the Trust To educate managers and staff To disseminate information and share best practice To produce an e-learning strategy for the Trust – to include policies re. tutor training, quality, etc. Groups

7/25 Bradford ETD Partnership Bradford District Care Trust Bradford Social Services Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Airedale PCT Bradford City Teaching PCT Bradford South & West PCT North Bradford PCT Airedale NHS Trust WYMAS Groups

8/25 Bradford ETD Partnership Aims are to: Develop a co-ordinated approach to ETD across the partner organisations Learn from and share good practice Develop sub-groups to co-ordinate and promote joint working on ETD matters (Share development costs) Effect change where this would be of benefit to partner organisations Groups

9/25 West Yorkshire Education, Training and Development Group Hosted by WY Workforce Development Confederation Representatives from NHS Trusts across West Yorkshire A useful forum for exchanging ideas and experience and developing collaborative working Access to funding for training etc Groups

10/25 Staff with a stake in E-learning IMT Training/ETD Lead responsible for convening E-learning strategy group, reporting to Director of Training & Organisation and producing the Trust’s E- learning strategy. Staff

11/25 Staff with a stake in E-learning “The converted” – Director of Training & Education – Training staff – E-learning “Champions” from departments Staff

12/25 Staff with a stake in E-learning Everyone! Staff

13/25 Staff with a stake in E-learning Managers in particular need to be educated: – E-learning is not a cheap “quick-fix” alternative to traditional methods of training. Staff need to understand what is involved Staff

14/25 Important external contacts E-learning Project Manager for Local Health Community Colleagues at WDC Colleagues at neighbouring NHS Trusts Staff

15/25 Resource issues Technical issues – Broadband, band width etc – Learning Management Systems – Software to support online conferencing – Software to design on-line learning “Blackboard” etc. – Adequate I.T. staff to provide technical support – Learning designers – local or shared Resources

16/25 Resource issues Where will e-learners study? – How practical are these locations in reality? – Can the learner study without interruption? – Is it necessary to book? ( Additional admin?) – Do they all have the appropriate hard and software and furniture ?

17/25 Resource issues Do learners have adequate I.T. skills? Don’t forget staff with special needs e.g.Visual Impairment. You may need to provide specially adapted equipment. E.g. Staff

18/25 Resource issues Who will provide tutorial support to e-learners? – Identify and train tutors Training for tutors e.g. Resources

19/25 Resource issues How will tutorial support be provided? – Are you going to provide a Helpdesk? – When are tutors going to be available? – Will communication be synchronous/asynchronous? – Are you going to arrange for on-line or video conferencing or discussion boards. Who will moderate them? – ……and is this necessary? Would a face-to face meeting be more practical and economical. – Will the Knowledge Manager provide links to other accredited websites ? Resources

20/25 Resource issues – Remember that by using E-learning you are, to a large extent, losing the benefits of learning in a social context and you need to compensate for this. – Doing it electronically can be difficult, expensive and time- consuming. Sometimes it’s easier to arrange a meeting. – Even if the rest of the course is on-line, a kick-off meeting, at the start of the course is a good idea. Resources

21/25 Blended learning Seems to be a practical way to approach the introduction of e-learning. Can existing courses be enriched by using it? Will existing courses be replaced? Develop resources like “Learnonline” Resources

22/25 Resource issues Protected learning time Additional administrative burden imposed by Learning Management Systems (E.g. ECDL Portal) “Same old, same old……….” Resources

23/25 Quality Assurance Establish systems to ensure that e-learning resources are accredited and reliable. Consult professional colleagues Beware being pressured into purchasing e- learning packages as a knee-jerk response to urgent problems - e.g. MRSA - without having them thoroughly checked by qualified staff Resources

24/25 Summary… Identify stakeholders Establish groups and lines of communication – mixed team approach - or put E-learning on agenda of existing groups Agree strategy, responsibilities, processes, quality assurance Access funding Secure resources: soft- and hardware, training rooms, personnel, expertise, materials, courses, TIME etc.

25/25 Summary…continued Educate managers and staff Secure protected learning time Arrange for basic I.T. training and TTT (tutorial support and software) Use e-learning only where appropriate Use only high-quality courses e.g ukhep modules Provide support for your learners! Evaluate