1. A GREATER MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY “The University is large but has a friendly atmosphere and the community spirit is overwhelming.” Nat West Student Book 2000

2. University of Salford School of Nursing Karen Staniland Senior Lecturer/Flexible Learning Co-ordinator k.staniland@salford.ac.uk Lyn Rosen Lecturer l.rosen@salford.ac.uk

3. Background Nationally: The Higher Education Agenda Lifelong Learning The NHS Plan At Salford : Faculty E-learning project Existing open learners on a recognised programme

4. Aims of the Project Improve communications between students, lecturers and support staff. Ensure that relevant information is available to every one at the same time. Make more effective use of staff time. Reduce the need for students to visit the University between group tutorial sessions. Make the Open Learning Conversion Programme available to a wider audience. Develop the IT skills of users

5. Recommendations Before allowing Blackboard to be incorporated into programmes minimum quality standards for the appearance of materials on line will need to be determined. A record of Blackboard programmes used should be maintained and be subject to internal quality assessment. Sessions for staff development in the use of Blackboard will need to be organised

6. Recommendations Staff workload in the upkeep of Blackboard currently on a 24/7 basis needs to be recognised. It is deemed essential that support services to an overall institutional strategy should be pursued in order to offer programmes on a 24/7 basis.

7. Recommendations Dedicate a member of module staff to take responsibility for specific Blackboard components, for example, discussion and conferencing forums. All Email addresses used (specifically student Emails) should be standardised into a format that is recognised by a tutor receiving and responding to the same.