1. Using a Home-Grown VLE Rifaat Foufa Dominic Bygate University of Hertfordshire's StudyNet

2. Contents Aims Aims Background Background UHC Objectives UHC Objectives Challenges Challenges Using StudyNet Using StudyNet History History Ethos Ethos Main Features Main Features Delivering HE in FE – A personal perspective Delivering HE in FE – A personal perspective Demo Demo Summary Summary

3. Aims of the workshop Demonstrate how StudyNet, a home grown VLE is used to Demonstrate how StudyNet, a home grown VLE is used to –Help the successful implementation of various UHC programmes across the county –Enhance quality assurance across the four UHC colleges –Share good practice

4. Background UH Consortium Agreement – July 2000 UH Consortium Agreement – July 2000Rationale: Building a more than a decade of close co-operation the four FE Colleges in Hertfordshire (NHC, WHC, OAK & HRC) and the University have formed a Consortium to offer access to higher education right across the county

5. UHC Objectives Offers access to higher education across the county. Offers access to higher education across the county. Ensures students begin their studies at the appropriate level Ensures students begin their studies at the appropriate level Monitors students’ progress and offers alternative routes Monitors students’ progress and offers alternative routes Responds to local business/industry training and development needs. Responds to local business/industry training and development needs.

6. Challenges Difficulties encountered to deliver Difficulties encountered to deliver –Cross-consortium uniformity –Differences in mission statements, culture and working practices –Different resources in each college –Differing VLE in each college –Consortium and inter-college communication –Programme & module team continuity

7. Using StudyNet - UHC VLE  Quality Assurance & Benefits –Sharing resources & good practices –Unique tool for students and staff –Ensuring continuity in progression –Uniform approach to e-learning –Virtual classroom environment –Facilitate communication –On-line summative and formative assessment –New multimedia features and development –Distance Learning –Blended Learning

8. StudyNet - History Developed in house Developed in house Team of four developers Team of four developers Lotus Notes as development tool Lotus Notes as development tool Increasing usage year on year Increasing usage year on year On-going development On-going development Integration of several technologies Integration of several technologies

9. StudyNet Ethos From a VLE towards a MLE From a VLE towards a MLE Features of StudyNet Features of StudyNet –Portal –Module based –Interactivity –Communication –Learning materials –Integration with other systems eg voyager –Virtual classroom Integration of e-learning Integration of e-learning –Blended learning

10. Main Features Each user has own portal containing: Each user has own portal containing: –Module sites –Programme site –Pathway site Example Module Site Example Module Site – Module Homepage – Module News – Module News – Module Information with (see 'student view') – Module Information with (see 'student view') – Teaching Resources with (see 'student view') – Teaching Resources with (see 'student view') – Class Discussion – Class Discussion – Reading List – Reading List – Feedback – Feedback – Email Options – Email Options – Your Personal Area – Your Personal Area

11. Delivery of HE in FE – A personal perspective Personal experience Personal experience –Use of Blackboard in FE/HE –Use of StudyNet in FE/HE –Use of StudyNet in HE Meeting the specific UHC needs Meeting the specific UHC needs –Sharing resources –UHC identity

12. Workshop Activities Demo Demo Login Process Login Process Register on a module. Register on a module. Module Homepage Module Homepage Module Information Module Information Class Discussion Class Discussion Reading List Reading List Teaching resources. Teaching resources. Managing staff & groups Managing staff & groups