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August, 2011

  1. #ILTCHAMPIONS LIST SUMMARY JUNE 2011

    August 12, 2011 by Robin Englebright

    The Curriculum Champions list was set  up over a decade ago as part of a programme to support the use of ILT in FE. It has around 600 members, covering some 75% of the UK FE colleges, and has representatives from the JISC, JISC RSC’s, LSIS, ALT and AoC.
    There were 214 individual posts in June from 75 posters. If you are, or know someone working to support ILT in FE, and feel the list may be of use, please drop me a line.
    This is an anonymised  summary of the discussions.

    3D learning object software:
    How can you build 3D learning objects that are scorm compliant? Cengage construction costs £10k/pa http://edu.cengage.co.uk/.  Caspian thinking is  £1000 http://www.thinkingworlds.com/. I’d also highlight the recent Final report from the JISC funded project: supporting education in Virtual worlds http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning/ltig/vwvle.aspx

    Bookmarking sites
    Various methods of providing curated lists of links have been tried and tested, ranging from a word doc, used as a directory to services like Delicious.
    James shared his: http://www.delicious.com/james.clay , tags are applied to allow tailored lists to be used for various applications, so http://www.delicious.com/james.clay/els070 lists the stories discussed in the e-Learning Stuff podcast number 70.. but could equally be used for a specific teaching topic, or even student.
    http://www.only2clicks.com/ was suggested as a more visually engaging alternative, and pearltrees http://www.pearltrees.com/ provides a mindmap style approach to maintaining a list.

    Broadband dongles
    Several comments that Vodafone coverage was patchy, and its worth checking out the coverage maps.
    http://www.compare3gmobilebroadband.co.uk/3g-coverage-uk.htm although these may be “optimistic”. Both the “3” network and T mobile got positive comments.
    It was pointed out that using a USB extension cable can prevent damage to the dongle.
    Personally I have T-mobile plan in my 3G android phone which also works with Orange network, giving better coverage, than the Vodafone 3G dongle.
    Vodafone good in London and South East, T mobile better outside London to North and West…  I’ve recently been using the Android phone as a wireless access point for my iPad.

    Social Media
     A Facebook list for champs was set up and now has 49 members http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_135043806573157. There was a brief discussion about the way people approach and separate various social media- facebook for home, Linkedin for work etc.

    Catering Video 
    Suggestions for providing access to catering videos, included uploading the video to You Tube or Vimeo, and printing out and laminating a QR code. This provides a wipe clean way of linking, and tracking views. 
    http://www.uppcast.co.uk/ was suggested as an alternative hosting solution.

    CDE Lunchtime Seminar
    -ULCC’s James Ballard seminar on the Personalisation of Learning, it is easy to synchronise the two as you can hear when James clicks on new slide! 

    Default college browser
    Most respondents indicated the college used IE by default.
    Issues with Dawson Era- e-book provider and IE8 precipitating a college to investigate into a move to IE9, or Firefox, but raise questions about the ability to push a common bookmarks list as part of the build. It seems possible port a list in Firefox: http://firefoxatwork.blogspot.com/, but there are alternatives to the favourites list (see “bookmarking sites” topic) such as using Diigo: http://www.diigo.com/tools/diigolet.
    Discussions highlighted issues with IE9 and Moodle2:
    – The upload of files fails with a ‘file not found’ or similar message
    – The font of docked blocks is virtually unreadable 
    Some functionality in Sharepoint requires IE to enable integration with office.

    Developing Digital Literacies – free JISC Workshops
    22 September, The Studio in Manchester
    6 October, The Bristol Hotel in Bristol

    e-assessment by exam boards
    The perception of A level e-assessment was that most investment has been in digitising paper scripts and then marking these online, rather than direct electronic input by the candidate. This was seen as a practical necessity by some, who could not cope when sometimes 1500 students sit an exam on one day.
    This is offset somewhat in some vocational areas with the C&G Gola system, which allows bookings of assessments when the learner is ready, and can provide instantaneous results.
    Far more take up has been seen in coursework/portfolio assessment processes.
    Systems like e-NVQ allow learners to upload evidence, and provide a framework for direct online verification. The ability to inspect any piece of coursework, provides more rigour, and less capacity to hide poor evidence.

    E-portfolios specific to apprenticeships and work based quals 
    The range of functionality provided by different e-portfolio systems means it may be necessary to use a combination to meet specific requirements. Some awarding bodies are producing portfolios directly linked to their awards.
    Learning Assistant is good for NVQ/Mapping qualifications.
    Assessment manager from ULCC was suggested as an alternative.
    Some systems require good web access to use the interface on site visits, which can be an issue. Paperfree maintains a local eportfolio database on a laptop, allowing the assessor to show students their progress, agree targets, update assessments etc, including adding evidence such as pictures, MP3 recordings of students answering questions if they had a specific learning difficulty, video footage for evidence, and any other relevant docs. Then on return to base, laptop will update main web based database.
    Mahara provides more of a social learning model, suitable for collaborative
    learning. Pebble (Reflect) is more reflective and self managing. 
    Infolio uses sound files and picture/videos to capture content.

    Electronic individual learning plans (eILP) 
    Discussions took place regarding the merits of various eILP solutions. It was highlighted that it is essential to outline what you hope to achieve from the tool and create a set of functional requirements in consultation with those who will use it. It is also worth investigating how flexible the system is, should requirements change.
    Pro Monitor, seems to be quite expensive, but an excellent tool for ‘achievement tracking’ and coaching for attainment. It is limited in how well the student can become involved and develop a reflective approach to their learning, and requires considerable effort on the part of teachers and personal tutors.
    e tracker, was considered inflexible by some users.
    University of London “eILP plug in and development” for Moodle, received positive feedback from several users. A Case study is available here:http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=299682 
    Northern Ireland have developed an E-ILP that has been implemented in all FE Colleges. 
    Vital (http://www.endsolutions.net/) can replace paper forms with ones that look exactly the same on screen so the learning curve for staff is not too steep.

    Free Online IPR Course Now Available > JISC Legal > View Detail 

    Transforming curriculum delivery through technology: New JISC guide and radio show launched.
    A mini-guide to the outcomes of the JISC Transforming Curriculum Delivery Through Technology programme http://www.jisc.ac.uk/curriculumdelivery, summarises the benefits of technology in curriculum delivery from  15 projects in the programme.
    PDF and text only versions can be downloaded  and print copies ordered from www.jisc.ac.uk/curriculumdeliveryguide  Accompanying the guide, as part of a series of radio shows entitled ‘JISC On Air’, the latest show entitled ‘Efficiencies , enhancements and transformation: how technology can deliver’  includes interviews with two projects involved in the programme, discussing the impact achieved in two very different contexts and disciplines. Listen here http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning/jisconair.aspx

    If I had £ to buy 3 tablets
     Suggestion were requested for android and win7 tablets, and the usual caveats about buying to meet user needs were expressed. Those tablets in use include:
    Archos tablets (70 and 10) run android. The 70 model has a 250Gb drive but the device won’t connect directly to other USB device such as a camera (despite what it says on the website). The 10 model works fine but only has 6GB of storage. Apart from Android itself, the only real issue is the screen shape. They are designed mainly to watch HD videos which they do very well complete with HDMI interface but because of that the screen is long and thin so trying to read PDF files is not as good as it could be.
    Experience of other tablets has been limited to show models.

    Invitation to attend eAssessment Scotland 2011 (which, despite the name, is open to people from around the globe!)
    Date:          25-26th August
    Location:      Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee
    Cost:          FREE!

    iPads in the class room
    An example of using iPads was provided: A construction lecturer gets students to video him with a Flip camera doing demonstrations ,e.g. marking out. These are uploaded to YouTube. The students then use an iPad to refer back to the videos when they need to, in the workshop.
    The benefits are: the speed of access to the videos, as an iPad comes on in a second; the quality of the videos through the combination of a third generation Flip with the iPad video reproduction; and the personalisation for the student.

    Joomdle 
    A cross between Moodle and Joomla: http://www.joomdle.com/

    Peerwise
    http://peerwise.cs.auckland.ac.nz/  a (free) tool to involve students in the creation, sharing, evaluation and discussion of assessment questions, has been trialled in some college and Uni situations with positive results. Case study on RSC Scotland site:http://www.rsc-sw-scotland.ac.uk/case_studies/CaseStudies.htm#MCC

    Retirement
    Valerie Schicker announced her retirement from the champs list, as well being a source of great help, and friendly advice for many years, Valerie organised the first Informal Champs Conference. 

    Self Assessment Review of ILT (was RE: VLE Ofsted Re-Inspection) 
    Many minor fixes have been applied to the Generator, and the senior leadership module is now complete. Over the Summer LSIS will be conducting a series of user evaluation groups and carrying out the final amendments based on the feedback we receive.The new version of Generator will be launched at ALT-C in Leeds in September, LSIS are working with the JISC-RSCs roll out the new tool from September.

    Student Council on the VLE? 
    A college asked for suggestion to add to their list of Student Council uses for the VLE:
       – Names (and possibly photos) of members of the Student Council;
       – An online ‘suggestion box’;
       – A section of the page for each sub-committee;
       – Videos for student elections;
       – Adding fundraising events to the calendar / uploading flyers.
    Several colleges use the Moodle Feedback module to run the student council elections.
    The Choice activity can be used for voting.
    Documentation:
    Minutes/action points of meetings
    Agendas for meetings
    Downloadable event flyers/posters
    Interactive:
    Feedback forms
    Surveys
    Rate Us
    Informational:
    “You Suggested: We Did…” like they used to have in supermarkets…

    Technologies in Sport 
    Sport teachers often use video to capture sports/public services/fitness work using services like http://www.dartfish.com/en/index.htm. Other suggestions include:
    use of the WII (especially for lower level learners)
    Dave Foord highlighted an alternative, simple way of doing basic movement analysis using a inexpensive video camera and PowerPoint http://davefoord.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/veryvery-simple-sports-movement-analysis/
    Get students to video their own performance, play it through an interactive whiteboard, which can be paused with indicators drawn on to highlight other players, choices which can be related back to theory (information processing etc).
    Alistair offered a number of ideas:
    Using PPT – once created a set of slides can be saved as individual .gif images and then bundled together using a free portable tool like UnFreez to create an animated GIF that learners can carry around on their mobile phones. 
    Create your own stop frame style animations (for example simple biomechanic simulations of hinge points, forces and leverage) using PowerPoint by drawing the first slide, duplicating it, changing the position of elements on the new slide, duplicating this and continuing the iterative changes. Save as gif images, animated through unfreez. 
    In Xerte toolkits use the Synch video template so that a video stops at key points and presents additional text/image info at that synch point. Not a sport example but slide 11 of http://xerte5.techdis.palepurple.co.uk/play_3984 will demo nicely. 
    The ‘multiple perspectives’ template allows you to have different videos on the same page with additional notes and info – eg videos of good, bad and indifferent skill demos.
    See http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/UpwardlyMobile/ (tutor created content>images) for more on PPT to animated gifs. 
    See www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte for more on Xerte. 
    A staff development resource  that covers these more: JISC Techdis support package for inclusive teaching and learning – http://itq.jisctechdis.ac.uk/#gpm1_2 and the associated taster resource on the top menu.

    The future of the National Learning Network materials service
    LSIS have worked with Xtensis, to ensure its continued operation for the next two years.
    The site will be run by LSIS from July 22nd.  Xtensis has kindly granted a free license to use the software that delivers the site, so it will look and perform the same as it does now.
    The current service is funded until summer 2011. From that point it will be taken over by LSIS.
    The NLN materials will continue to be available at www.nln.ac.uk
    All existing links to links to the site  – Learner URLs,  VLE links and Noodle links – will continue to work as now .
    There will no longer be: registration and/login, the facility to create collections.
    Users who want to create new collections or store any pre-existing collections associated with their login can copy them across to a new service provided by Xtensis, called XtLearn.
    Some of the materials no longer work, either technically because they were based on redundant technology, or in terms of their content (old-fashioned, outdated practice etc).  The LSIS survey identified a wish by users to see them brought up to scratch. It also identified members of the community who would be willing to join or lead such developments. LSIS will work with partners to facilitate these developments as far as is practicable.

    VLE Ofsted Re-Inspection
    A long discussion took place about what to show inspectors with regard to VLE. I tried to summarise it, but I think it needs a little more time. I will try and condense it into something readable 

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