1. The National Learning Management System:
U-Learn
Sarah McIntosh
NUS HR Support Unit

2. This session Introduction to U-Learn System showcase
How U-Learn can add value to SUs
Q and A Panel

3. What are Learning Management Systems?
Everyone has a learning account
Can house a variety of learning types: e-learning, PDF’s, podcasts, webinars, You Tube, PDF’s, videos etc.
More flexible bite size learning
Can reduce training costs over time: travel, time, venue costs, materials, course fees etc.
Encourages people to own their own personal development
Individual learning records
Tracks the completion of learning activity and evaluation for MI purposes

4. Learning Management: SU Research
concerns over cost, travel and time out to attend face to face training events
Resource intensive induction programmes – their must be a better way
lack of process to record learning activities – opportunities to link to employability
need for more flexible bite-size online learning
wanted a consistent multi-media system to manage learning
prepared to pay:
Under £1000
£1000 – £3000
£ £5000
£ £7000
33%
17%

5. What do we know about SUs?
High level of under 25’s in the workforce (Generation X)
Around a third of staff have been sabbatical officers
Senior staff tend to be 40+ years (Younger boomers)
Mobile working of officers and staff
Increasing use of tablet devices and smartphones

6. User expectations Generation gaps Younger boomers (1965 – 1974)
Older boomers (1946 – 1964)
“Hippie generation”
Learning from their peers/children
Text messaging/ s/search engines
Spending power
Younger boomers (1965 – 1974)
“Baby boomer generation”
Grew up with early technology
Practical usage of technology
High-end tech spending
Generation X (1975 – 1985)
“MTV generation”
Digital native
Technology is used functionally
Use phones for everything
Generation Y ( )
“Facebook generation”
24/7/365 digital native
State-of-the-art devices
Social networking and apps

7. Introduction to U-Learn

8. About U-Learn Moodle based Multi-device access
Co-designed with students’ unions
Leading edge functionality
Book can still be brought on Amazon (and other book retailers!) for £170!!

9. System Showcase

11. Fully Branded for Your SU

13. Assign learning and development activities to different groups of
people

15. Create a sequenced programme
of learning

17. Add knowledge assessments, evaluation and surveys

19. Supporting employability with
portable learning records:
Social Media Stamps
Mozilla Open Badges

26. Help learners to collaborate and
share ideas

28. Automated refresher training reminders

30. Dedicated Administration Area
to Add and Assign Learning
Content

32. Reporting Tools

34. How will U-Learn add value to SUs?

35. 1. NUS Training and Events 2. Students’ Unions own branded portals
Two ways….
1. NUS Training and Events
2. Students’ Unions own branded portals

36. 1. Officer Development Programme
Online dedicated learning space
Create own profile and learning record
Discussion boards to collaborate with other officers and tutors
Complete skills assessment
Access pre course learning content
Attend face to face courses
Residential materials available online
Ongoing learning materials added

37. 2. Branded U-Learn Portals for SUs
National buying power of NUS - £2000 set up fee and £950 per year hosting and system support fee
Central learning content to support inductions:
Health and Safety
Equality and Diversity
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) User Training
Data Protection
What is a students’ union?
Introduction to the student movement
Using social media
Political environment of students’ unions
Essential trustee training

38. 2. Branded U-Learn Portals for SUs
Free training for two nominated systems administrators
Free E-learning content creation workshop for Lectora * and suite of Lectora templates
Dedicated NUS project manager and ongoing account manager
Help embed your system and a learning culture
U-Learn Helpdesk 5 days a week 9 - 5

39. Q and A Panel