1. What is Merlin?

2. Inter-operability data interchange Simplified Sign On Service
What is SWGfL Merlin?
uLearn
Content
Audio Networks
British Pathe
Espresso
Big Day Out
SWGfL VCS
Inter-operability data interchange
User Directory
SIMS
Your MIS
VLE
Your VLE
Space
Tools
Library
Blog
Community
Wiki
Personal
Forums etc.
Virtual Desktop
Simplified Sign On Service

3. SWGfL Merlin - A starting point…
Building your school’s platform – plugging in your choice of tools
Existing SWGfL services
In addition to the core toolset of SWGfL Merlin, the foundation provision for schools in the South West will include the incorporation of SWGfL existing services:
SWGfL mail
SWGfL video conferencing
Web Hosting
SWGfL regional educational portal
SWGfL monitoring and filtering
National Education Network Search
SWGfL is one of ten regional broadband consortia (RBCs) that make up the national education network.
SWGfL Merlin will integrate the National Education Network search tool, a ‘Google for Education’, that will enable searches across all ten RBCs and key educational sites.
Access to online content publishers
Many schools will already subscribe to content online from educational publishers. Provided these publishers adhere to the national standard of the ‘UK Access Management Federation’, teachers and students will be able to access the content directly through SWGfL Merlin, without the need for additional usernames and passwords.It is envisaged that schools will be able to ‘start their journey’ in gaining experience of learning platforms with the combination of the core SWGfL Merlin tools, the incorporation of existing content subscriptions and SWGfL services.
An extended learning platform

4. SWGfL Merlin vs VLE

5. SWGfL Merlin

7. My (First) Place User - appropriate interfaces Choice of colour themes
Personalisable Desktop

8. On-line Portfolio
All pupils and staff have an on-line portfolio which they can share with staff, parents and selected classmates.

9. Our Places
Shared Places may be set up for any group of users, for any purpose:
Curriculum
Pastoral
Extra-curricular activities
Collaboration with other schools or outside agencies

10. The owner or administrator of the shared place can set the membership and level of access.
They are ideal for storing confidential information.

11. Sharing and support across
Clusters LA
South west region

12. Calendars
Shared calendars can be added in each Shared Place including whole school and LA
A user’s personal calendar allows them to merge relevant calendars

13. Layout and content is customisable and might include
Video and audio
Flash animations
Blogs
Wikis
Surveys
Discussions
Calendars
Document libraries
Links
Embedded webpages

14. Tools for communication
Blogs

15. Tools for communication
Surveys and discussion forums
Targeted news

16. Tools for collaboration
Shared document libraries with workflow
Wikis

17. Implementation Prioritising objectives Does the school have a vision?
Schools
Does the school have a vision?
Are they technically ready?
Are senior staff committed?
Is the ‘culture’ right?
Prioritising objectives
Reviewing where they are
Identifying key personnel
Identifying and budgeting for necessary resources including TIME
‘Cleaning up’ MIS data
Drawing up a step by step Action Plan
Change Management
Training and support