E-Learning Staff Development

Tablet Project

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:01:00 +0000

The new Tablet project has now been launched. This is a follow on from the recent success of the Mobile Technologies Project which partly explored the use of Mobile Technologies in Work based learning. For this project we have engaged other Learning Providers who will work with the a variety of tablets. The Learning providers will provide the opportunity to evaluate a number of sizes, specifications, and models. Learning providers will be able to loan a set of five different devices for a period of six weeks.All the applications have been suspended due to the number of applicants however you can view the Wiki if you wish to keep up to date with the results and the pros and cons of each of the devices this can be found at http://bit.ly/nfjw3U

RSC Assisit

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:52:00 +0000

JISC Regional Support Centre West Midlands is giving learning providers the opportunity to apply for free, extended support in an area of their choice, through the RSC Assist project. What are the benefits?RSC Assist enables you to work with a member of the RSC team for up to a day in planning your project and benefiting from advice and expertise, as well as a limited amount of training, if applicable. You retain control of the task in hand, but will be able to call on the support of your nominated advisor throughout.
On completion, you will work with your RSC e-learning advisor to produce a brief case study or best practice guide, which outlines the outcomes and any lessons learned, for the benefit of other learning providers.
Choosing your projectThe project should be a priority for your organisation and be achievable within a 3 month period, with a measurable, tangible outcome. Applications will be assessed against their relevance to the RSC remit, wider interest in the topic and available RSC staff expertise.
The priority support areas for 2011/12 are:
- E-safety- Learner Voice- Technology for Learning- Business Processes- Network Management- Shared Services- Staff Development - Strategic Development- Digital Literacy- Procurement
How to applyIf you’d like to take part in the RSC Assist project, please complete the application form, which is available online at: http://bit.ly/o0LKytYou can also discuss your project idea with a member of the RSC team, prior to applying – please get in touch.
Once your application has been submitted, we will contact you with a decision, based on current workload and the suitability of the topic for the project.

Try Before You Buy

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:38:00 +0000

The JISC Regional Support Center has for the past twelve months trailed a scheme called" Try Before You Buy".This is a selection of technology that can be used with learners with learning difficulties. The kit bags are essentially loaned to the learning providers for up to six weeks. Each learning provider at the end of the loan completes a survey evaluating the equipment and it's suitability for learners with learning difficulties.
The results from the survey have been surprising and make interesting reading. The results can be found at the RSC Wiki the survey highlights that the equipment in the most has been used in the classroom environment. The tutors identify the pedagogical uses of the equipment and the types of challenges that the learners face before using the equipment.

If you would like to take part in the Ty Before You Buy Scheme then please contact me on a.wootton@rsc-wm.ac.uk.

Take Away Moodle for Teacher Training

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:23:00 +0000

Take Away Moodle, this is new concept from the RSC. We are looking to support Teacher Trainers across all sectors with the use of Moodle.

We have a Take Away Moodle course which you can upload into your own Moodle site and deliver as if it it were your own course. You don't have to have any prior knowledge just the enthusiasm to become familiar with the tools. The course is divided into six sections, the content is varied and includes web links,videos, quizzes. It will also engage you in activities such as forums, chat and setting up a glossary. All of the content is intended to be flexible for you to add your own and adaptable as you are welcome to customise this to suit you as a Learning Provider.

You are welcome to email me for further details and how you can Take Away Moodle. a.wootton@rsc-wm.ac.uk

Teachers TV

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:05:00 +0000

There seems to be a sliver lining for Teachers TV which has over 3500 videos for teaching professionals. The Company closed in April this year however not to be put off by the governments cuts the company reformed under the name of Teachers Media. There are subject specific videos and behavioural videos. The majority are intended for schools however you could adapt the content for further education. In the times that we live in managing behaviour can be difficult teachersmaedia has a set of Behavioural Videos which offer excellent strategies to coping with the difficult lessons .

Take a look at http://www.teachers.media.co.uk/

RSC West Midlands - Events: Learner Centred Process Review

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:14:00 +0000

JISC Info Net will be delivering another of their successful workshops on Learner Centered Process Review on the 15 Th June at Science Park in Wolverhampton. If you are introducing change or re structuring then this may guide you through the potential pit falls. : "This workshop will be an interactive day aiming to give participants an introduction to, or raised levels of knowledge of, a variety of process review considerations, techniques and tools. At the end of the workshop delegates will be able to use a variety of simple and rapid approaches to improve processes for the benefit of their learners."

If you would like to take part in the day please register through our website on the link below

RSC West Midlands - Events: Learner Centred Process Review

Discover-e Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:59:00 +0000

RoboBraille

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:11:00 +0000

RoboBraille, this is a excellent service which provides documents in MP3 format. This could be useful for learners who prefer audio to reading. Providing content in alternative formats will help to comply with the new Public Sector Duty. However not all tutors have the software or equipment at their disposal to be able to create content in different formats.

RoboBraille is a free service to education, it converts digital documents into MP3 or Braille. You simply send document by email to RoboBraille and they will convert it into a Mp3 which you will be able to access through Windows Media player . The email address for this is britspeech@robbraille.org

E -Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:42:00 +0000

E- Safety, is an issue for individuals, organisations and business.There's a host of information, documentation and reports available. I have sign posted a few sites which I think will be useful to give you the basic information.

The RSC's, Learning Technologist Jason Curtis has created a wiki page on E- Responsibility, this is a good place to start. www.rscsystems.org.uk/index.php/EResponsibility.

Ofsted feel that its very important have the correct procedures and policies in place to try to cascade the right messages to staff and learners alike. The Excellence Gateway has guidance on Strategy, and creating Acceptable User Policies http://www.excellence.gateway.org.uk/ .

JISC Legal have created a template to help you identify your priorities before creating a strategy, carrying out an e- safety audit will give you ideas as to where to focus your strategy . http://TinyURL /2WJT9ek

Ofsted advocate that training is key to safe guarding. They believe that all students should feel safe online and be able to evaluate the risk or know how to report any issues. Ofsted's report into safe guarding can be found at http://tinyurl.com/Yg2j34c

Identifying resources for staff development like videos and websites can be found on the RSC's Wiki, however I felt that the 123people website is worth a mention as this gathers online information from Social Networking sites such facebook and Flickr. Checking your privacy settings will stop your information being shared with other websites. http://www.123people.co.uk/

The general message is that your staff and learners should be able to identify issues and feel safe online. Training seems to be the key to spreading the word regarding e-Safety. If you would like offical training on e-Safety then the CEOP, Think You Know Training is aimed at professionals working with children and young people. This training will give you both a law enforcement and education persepective. http://www.thinkyouknow.co.uk/

Take a look the Jisc Legal Top Ten checklists on their website http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/

RSC West Midlands - Events: Accessibility and Inclusion Forum

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:53:00 +0000

RSC West Midlands - Events: Accessibility and Inclusion Forum: "The agenda for the day will include an update from the RSC outlining projects and New Open Source Software. Jason Curtis, RSC-WM Learning Technologies Advisor will identify some of the issues regarding esafety and highlight resources and information. There will also be a presentation by JISC TechDis who are the leading educational advisory service working across the UK for Accessibility and Inclusion.

The afternoon session ‘Make it Accessible’, introduces some key universal rules for making reading and learning materials accessible. The course will continue to introduce computer software to assist in making specific alternatives formats, including large print MP3 audio DAISY talking books and Braille.

Target Audience: The forum is aimed at anyone working with learners who need support with writing, reading, planning and organisation and is open to learning providers across all post-16 sectors who are based in the West Midlands including HE, FE, ACL, Specialist colleges, WBL and Offender learning."

Funding with LSIS

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:07:00 +0000

LSIS regional response fund of £150k will support immediate improvements needs in the further education and skills sector brought about as a result of changes to funding mechanisms and allocation.

The fund can be used to :

help organisations to respond to the challenges of reduced funding and new priorities

and promote collaborative sector led activities that allow providers to enhance quality improvement in strained times.

The deadline for application forms is the 25th of February the details can be found at http://www.lsis.org.uk/

Save the Date

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:26:00 +0000

Discover-e 2011

This years online conference is being held on the 17Th and 18Th of May. This looks to be packed with case studies best practice and information from the RSC West Midlands Learning Providers. The conference sessions will be delivered through webinar software Elluminate. All conference and fringe sessions will be run through Moodle. We are hoping to have several of the JISC services available to help you navigate your way through what each service does and how they can help you.

Save the date in your calendar 17Th and 18Th May 2011.

Create and Convert

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:27:00 +0000

With the new Public Sector Duty coming to force in April 2011, any help in being proactive with our learners in providing content in an accessible form is warmly welcomed. JISC RSC Scotland have a new edition to the Edu Apps family called Create and Convert. This software is open source and will allow you to convert electronic documents into accessible format such as audio, large print or talking book. The software is free to use and can be downloaded from RSC Scotland website

http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/eduapps/createconvert.php

Alternative to iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:29:00 +0000

I have been lucky enough to have worked with iPad for sometime and I really would be lost without it. However this I feel is a really good alternative and at a fraction of the prize . The 7inch Android 2.1 Scroll Multi Touch Screen Tablet for £159.00 has many of the features of i pad. These include touch screen, landscape and portrait mode. The tablet has a built in web cam and speakers so you can listen to music, watch videos and view photos. The best part for me is the capacity to be able to add your own peripherals be2 x USB ports for adding your own e.g. external Hard drives.-- HDMI out for connection to a monitor or HD ready TV so you can view your movies on the big screen.-- Micro-SD slot – so you can expand the storage of your device up to 32 GB as you fill it up with movies, games, music & photos.

Take a a look at http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=506956&C=brilliant1&U=xmas%20promo%202010&T=android%20tablet%20SL&gclid=CJ6kkf6l86UCFQse4QodXlXzoQ

Alternative to Delicious

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:07:00 +0000

There are rumours that Yahoo may be with drawing the free social booking marking site Delicious it may be worth taking a look at another alternative if the rumours turn out to be true.This in itself is a lose to the e -learning world if the rumours turn out to be true you might want to take a look at is Mister Wong.

Mister Wong is very similar to Delicious you import your bookmarks from Delicious into Mister Wong and you can use public book marks and create books. MR Wong will allow you to translate in some different languages. One of the Pros for Mister Wong is that the navigation is really simple to use. http://www.mister-wong.com/

This may be an alternative however it may be the case that if enough people Twitter or Facebook against the lose of Delicious Yahoo may continue the service.

Are you blogging?

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Well after a couple of years of blogging, I now feel that I am able to reflect on this and say that on the whole it has been a positive experience and a learning curve.

For the first time user, choosing a blogging service could be tricky as their are a few to choose from. However Blogger has been very simple and straight forward. Customising gadgets such as email subscription or links to You Tube could not be easier. The best part for me is that you can get an answer to a problem really quickly either through Blogger itself or from the many forums that are available to post a question to online.

So the benefits to me as an e-learning advisor incluide being able to post out information quickly and hit a lot of people at one time. Filter news to what I feel is suitable and relevant.

The downside sometimes I feel that it's a bit quiet and I would like more feedback from the audience. There is obviously the time issue but so far the time spent writing the blog is well worth the effort.

So the big question is would I use this with my leaner's? Well the answer is easy Yes!. Blogging could of helped me within a Learning Provider in so many situations these include:

Keeping in touch with mobile learners ( learner's within the workplace)
Area for the learners to talk to me outside of the classroom
Revision
Reflection
News items
Problem solving

These are just a few of the advantages can you think of any more?

Using technology to increase community engagement and development

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:33:00 +0000

The Learining and Skills Improvement Service are offering grants of up £5000 to community to engage to learning providers to pilot the development of technological mechanisms in order to engage with the wider community to gain an understanding of their needs and aspirations. This is not about working with existing learners, but about engaging with those who may feel that the provider ‘is not for them’ and to understand the reasons why.
The provider should have a proven history of using technology and wish to build and extend current practice in order to further their links with the community. The closing dates for applications is the 3rd of December. To find out more information go to http://www.lsis.org.uk/WorkingWithLSIS/Opportunities/funding-Opportunities/Pages/default.aspx

Wordle

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:50:00 +0000

I came across Wordle through another blog the author describes them as "Word clouds are fantastic and often quite beautiful ways of presenting information"

This could be useful way to present a large amount of text in a pictorial way. You could also use them to collate and store text.

However for a dyslexic learner they may not be that easy to understand.

To generate word clouds from text you can use http://www.wordle.net/create – it’s free and fun. If you want to save your word cloud to use in a presentation or document, just do a screen print and then edit it down to the size you want in Paint or any other simple graphics package.

Innovation Funding from LSIS

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:35:00 +0000

The fourth round of innovation funding opened on the 01 September 2010 and closes on the 29th of October 2010. The funding is open to organisations in England whose primary function is as a provider of further education and training. Eligible providers will be organisations funded by the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) or Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and subject to inspection by Ofsted. The only eligible Higher Education Institutions are those with learning and skills provision funded by the SFA and subject to inspection by Ofsted.
Bids, for up to a maximum of £50,000, will be invited from consortia of provider organisations for projects which are genuinely innovative and which have the potential to significantly enhance the practice and performance of the learning and skills sector. LSIS will particularly welcome bids from providers working through cross-sector and extra-sector consortium arrangements. Bids from individual provider organisations will not be accepted in this funding round.
LSIS will continue to encourage innovative bids on a variety of topics that address the strategic priorities of the sector. However, for this funding round we will particularly welcome consortia bids that address specific issues and problems in defined locations - based on the principles of Total Place*

More information on the Innovation funding can be found at http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/fif

iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:12:00 +0000

I may be have been bitten by the i Pad bug, however so far I can't find anything that I dislike. Earlier this week I attended the Techshare conference at the ICC in Birmingham this was primarily regarding Accessibility issues. However the iPad was very alluring, the presenter Robin Spinks from the RNIB highlighted all the advantages these include :

Portable
Light weight
High quality LED
Fast Processor
Touch Screen
Virtual Keyboards

On closer inspection today I find you are able to carry out normal every day tasks like email, Internet use, playing games reading e-books I am also able to use the notes apps for very basic word processing. Robin described the i pad as a 'tool to share' as the iPad is very engaging and most definitely for content consumption. The question that Robin left us with is it a replacement for the Netbook on reflection I would probably say that the Netbook and the I pad are similar but definitely different . The iPad has a lack of expandability, you cant upgrade the iPad in any way and very poor for content creation.

However having said all of that the iPad is a different experience to the Netbook, i feel immersed in the graphics and believe that this is a different experience to any laptop, or net book

BECTA

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:49:00 +0000

Disappointed to hear that BECTA will close this is in my view is the origins of where we all started with e -learning, we have been through lots of really useful projects with BECTA and achieved so much. Starting with Ferl and the ILT champions,the Ferl Practitioners Programme, TENS projects and more recently the Generator self assessment tools.

I hope that this work isn't forgotten and we continue to carry on the e-learning work. I wish all the BECTA staff luck with their new careers

Second Life

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:53:00 +0000

I have been told so much about Virtual Worlds that I thought I would try this for myself. With some hesitance as I was struggling to see the relevance for my work. Fortunately I have been partly converted, this is due to a virtual training and tour which was arranged by colleague Jane Edwards AKA Lady Jane Plympton. The tour of Virtual Ability Net really helped me to visualise how a virtual world can make a difference to the life's may people. The guide and Director of Virtual Ability Alice Krueger, Gentle Heron in world told us her story. Second Life has opened many doors in society that would not of been possible in my 1st life. Being part of a community and not being judged or having any restrictions has made my life more bearable. Virtual Ability Island provides the home for our new resident orientation and training, developed for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Here, new residents can learn Second Life® fundamentals in an accessibility-friendly environment, and existing residents can receive ongoing training and information about health-related issues and support groups. This island was created through a partnership with the Alliance Library System.I am still learning about Second Life I can see that the positives out way the negatives and hope that others have the opportunity to take a tour. The possibilities are endless especially if you’re working in education. Take a look at Virtual Ability at http://virtualability.org/default.aspx

Discover 'e'

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Mon, 10 May 2010 08:22:00 +0000

2010 is RSC WM’s annual on-line event.

This year we will be celebrating 10 years of working with the post 16 learning and skills sector in stimulating and supporting innovation with e-learning and technology.
Information:
To mark 10 years of the West Midlands Regional Support Centre, Discover e-2010 has brought together case studies from across the post 16 learning skill sector which will “tell” and “share” how learning providers have progressed and applied technology to support teaching and learning. Guest speakers from further and 6th form colleges, HEI’s, specialist colleges, adult and community and work-based learning, will provide ‘live’ online presentations to explain how their organisation has used technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning for students / learners. Discover e-2010 will be interactive so delegates will have an opportunity to discuss and post questions to guest speakers as well as interact with other delegates.

Theres still time to book a place http://info.rsc-wm.ac.uk/events/event_details.asp?eid=524

My Study Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:54:00 +0000

The latest addition to the Edu Apps suite is MY Study Bar, this is intended to make the learner independent and can easily be run form a USB stick to allow the applications to be portable. The main difference from the Access Apps is that there are fewer programmes making it even easier to puts a whole range of individual and essential tools at your fingertips. Together, these have been designed to support the complete study cycle from research, planning and structuring to getting across a written or spoken message. MyStudyBar has 6 sections; each has a drop down menu offering personal choice, flexibility and independent learning, particularly for those learners who require additional strategies to support their learning. With over 15 apps to choose from

To download your own copy of My Study Bar go to http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/eduapps/index.php

E- learning and CPD

noreply@blogger.com (Alison) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:39:00 +0000

Can e-learning inform CPD, whilst on my visits to Learning Providers I am constantly being told that budgets have been cut for staff development and that CPD is now mostly internal with training being delivered by members of staff .

Staff development with e learning now requires you to be update with every piece of technology, know how to use all the latest gadgets and somehow pass this information to all of my colleagues regardless of whether they require the information or not. Can e-learning be a focus for CPD and can I make difference with my constant battle to know !more e stuff!

I came across a document on the e- learning centers website, that has helped me to re -think if how e- learning can be a driver for CPD and does being reflective make things 'better'. Even though Jim Floods article was written in 2002 this still seems really poignant for me today. He highlights some of the problems faced in Colleges in 2002 and I only have to think about our own journey we have travelled at the RSC to see that answer to the questions as Jim states is 'YES'

Our online conference in May this year focus on the journey of the RSC and Learning Providers over the last 10 years. This conference will show some effective practice and startling journeys keep a look on our website for the conference details.