1. edgehill.ac.uk/ls

2. Learning Edge – The Students’ Ideal VLE Adrian Cain

3. edgehill.ac.uk/ls The VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) today Infrastructure – The VLE, it usage and other technologies Student views - Headlines from EHU eLearning Survey Considerations of your design Student informed VLE – Enhancing your online practice Themes Specifics (and solutions (Handout)) Ideal VLE question (Students’ voice) NSS Comments How to stay informed Tip and tricks Staff development Considerations of your potential design The VLE of the future Change – Can we predict it? What do we look at? Analytics – Informing the future

4. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Primary 2011-12 Annual Edge Hill University Student eLearning Survey – (4 th Annual survey. Est. 2008) ‘The 5 Most Important Things My Lecturer Does’ (CLTR Conference 2012) - Colin Gibson, President, Edge Hill University Students Union (Prime data sources – Personal EHU Research and EHU Teaching Awards) 2012 NSS – EHU Students comments Supporting BB Exemplary Course Rubric Data stats – Google analytics EHU students voice - No staff opinion or other external sources or publications Sources

5. edgehill.ac.uk/ls The VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) today

6. edgehill.ac.uk/ls

7. Growth of the VLE +

8. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Other technologies http://prezi.com/kuocyppvcc69/technology-enhanced-learning-presentation/?auth_key=72ea8e2376828e40869768624959cc9906fa5a13

9. edgehill.ac.uk/ls The Students’ Views Some Headlines from the 2011-12 Annual Edge Hill University Student eLearning Survey Insight into our students’ experience and expectations of TEL The EHU Student eLearning Surveys: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1348/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1348/ Headlines from the 4 th EHU Student eLearning Survey: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/

10. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Learning Edge 78.7% agree that it enhances the knowledge and understanding they get from lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. 74.9 use it ‘a lot’ 95.7% think it is important “This is the first time I have used eLearning and I love it, it gives me freedom to log in wherever I have time and continue my study with ease and it is fast and effective.”

11. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Communication 87.6% agree that the announcements enable them to keep track of changes to the delivery of modules. 51.4 % agree that online discussions are important “Tutors being able to keep us up to date on any changes. I get them emailed to my phone so I always receive them as soon as they are sent so I have the information on me at all times.” “Being able to communicate with others on my course is important, to be able to discuss ideas and thoughts on lectures” “When the lecturer fails to update with recent lecture notes, or fails to provide regular announcements to keep us informed of assessment dates/date changes/lecture changes etc”

12. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Content/Lecture Notes 94.7% agree that Accessing lecture notes & presentations is important to them 65.2% thought it was important to access video or audio clips online “Availability of lecture notes prior to lecture so that I can print out and add my own notes to them during the lecture.” “It is a more practical way of being able to look at previous lectures as well as having your notes because you cannot write everything down.”

13. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Assessment 84% agree that it is important that they can submit/collect assignments online. 42.7% agree that Online self-tests & quizzes are important “I find having access to lecture notes/slides enables me to reinforce any learning I have partaken in, and the quizzes/mocks are a useful way of checking learning is up to date.”

14. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Design and Layout “Consistent format across all modules means I know where to look for information.” “Inconsistency of layout between modules e.g. where TurnItIn is located varies and can be difficult for some to find.” “Layout and colour changes make it more personal and colour which suits you for looking at the screen” Learning Edge has a 99.9% availability record and is linked directly to the Student Information System Students concerns around the consistency and application of Learning Edge features and tools are becoming more apparent as access or other technical issues reduce.

15. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Other Technologies… Facebook 54.8 % agree that Facebook could be used to support student learning Student 'owned' technology to support informal learning – the idea of a Facebook 'Hub' (drawing there own materials in) compared to the Learning Edge 'classroom/ Library‘ There are some references to tutor participation in student Facebook groups but these areas are largely student-owned and managed. Staff wishing to participate in Facebook groups should be aware of the potential risks in befriending students as advised by JISC Legal in Facing up to Facebook: A Guide for FE and HE

16. edgehill.ac.uk/ls 45% of total internet use was conducted via a mobile device 6 million people accessed the Internet over their mobile phone for the first time in the previous 12 months Source: Data from Office for National Statistics ‘Internet Access - Households and Individuals, 2011 Bulletin’Data from Office for National Statistics ‘Internet Access - Households and Individuals, 2011 Bulletin Other Technologies… Mobile 50.5% agree Mobile Technologies could support student learning 59% of Mobile Learn app users found it useful 55.8% of participants own a smartphone (36.1% in 2011) “Can look up lecture notes (on Mobile Learn App) while in lecture if lecturer is going too fast and still manage to copy down notes.” “The announcements on a mobile device are not very easy to navigate.”

17. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Discussion Discuss your use of the VLE and other technologies. Share your practice with your group; talk about what you think works well, and why. Use the BB course evaluation rubric handout to frame your discussion/thoughts around your use of the VLE

18. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Student informed VLE - Enhancing your online practice

19. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Question: What would an ‘ideal’ Learning Edge contain? Student comments from the 4 th EHU Student eLearning Survey: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/ http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/

20. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Student Survey – Themes Contacts: names, office hours, contacts (staff & student) Content: instructions, lecture notes, handbooks, journal articles, eBooks, calendar, sample assignments, past exam paper questions Communication: announcements, notifications, updates, dynamic information Communities: messaging, chat tools, forums for discussion, instant messaging, mail, social network Challenges: blogs, journals, wikis, turnitin, self study quizzes (formative support, progress checks)

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26. NSS (2012) EHU 1 st in North West for 7 out of 21 questions Organisation and Management (11/14 – North West) 13. The timetable works efficiently as far as my activities are concerned 14. Any changes in the course or teaching have been communicated effectively 15. The course is well organised and is running smoothly Important note of balance for the next few slides A summary of (potentially) associated negative comment …… but we got lots of really good ones too!!

27. edgehill.ac.uk/ls NSS Comments (baseline) ‘The online Blackboard teaching can be unreliable’ (FDEYLEAD) ‘General organisation. Blackboard not being available’ (FDTLSEC) ‘The universities virtual learning environment is not very good’ (ITTKS23) ‘Blackboard was not explained clearly when it changed over to two sections’ (FDEYLEAD) ‘I feel Blackboard should have been completed before the start of Sept. 2011, to save confusion and swapping between the two’ (FDEYLEAD) ‘Access to Blackboard was sometimes difficult’ (HLEARNIS)

28. edgehill.ac.uk/ls NSS Comments (T & L and support) ‘As a distance learner…Blackboard system has been good for me but I notice a lot of people fail to benefit from this facility’ (FDTLSEC) ‘Blackboard is infuriating, still nothing posted and the course started 9 days ago emails are not answered promptly when flagged as important. Support is given when one decided to quit rather than when one is struggling’ (FDPROFDEV) ‘Lots of information not put on Blackboard’ (FDTLSEC) ‘learning edge module content, that was often withheld until a few days after the session we had attended - before would be good, but we often spent the whole lesson going through it slide by slide rather than discussing and having social interaction, which is where I find that you really learn things, through other people’ (ITTPRIM)

29. edgehill.ac.uk/ls NSS Comments (Resources) Resources aren’t going to change overnight – we need to communicate what we have better Not enough books in the Library –reading lists –ebooks –digitise sections –permalinks Not enough computers at key times in the Library –LINC –app for un-used PC –help-desk to log off students who have left PCs

30. edgehill.ac.uk/ls How to stay informed ………and get (a little) organised

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32. Options available when: –Creating or –Editing an Announcement Blackboard OnDemand Video Guide

33. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Encourage students to ‘subscribe’ to discussions Users emailed when new posts/replies are made Reduces staff and student need to constantly check for updates SETTINGS Forum settings available: –When creating a new forum –Via the forum’s Edit menu Must tick ‘Allow Member to subscribe …’

34. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Use the HTML editor to improve the appearance of your text: Font sizes Colour Highlights Hyperlinks Be consistent throughout the course. Remember to attach.pdf files which are mobile friendly and printable as well.

35. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Go to the course: Control Panel Course Tools Add Test Student The panel opposite appears: Your student account name is: YourLoginName_S (i.e. caina_s) You can add this student to any course you are an instructor on. Learning Edge: Add Test Student http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1050/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1050/

36. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Summary of a student’s discussion contributions Verify the visibility of selectively released content to a student Directly access to the Grade Book with a quicklink. Individuals viewed content Blackboard OnDemand Video Guide

37. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Grades Highlight students with low scores so you can take remedial action or high scores to offer positive feedback. Access Contact students that have not logged in for X weeks to remind them that participation is a required element of the course. Due Dates Send a reminder to students to submit their overdue assignments, surveys or tests. Customise (Create Rule) Missed Deadlines, Grades Alert, Activity Alert and Access Alert You can monitor multiple different parameters

38. edgehill.ac.uk/ls View a sub-section of the Full Grade Centre. Great for large cohorts and multiple tutors. Can be created to filter by: –Group –Specified Performance –User (manually select a number of users) –Category / Status (eg. needs marking) –Custom (A combination of filters) Blackboard OnDemand Video Guide

39. edgehill.ac.uk/ls plus……….. Enable Additional Tracking Statistics Blackboard OnDemand Video Guide User Activity in Content Areas User Activity in Forums User Activity in Groups Summary of User Activity Blackboard OnDemand Video Guide 180 Day maximum!

40. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Use tools that work well ‘on-the-go’ with the app –grades, announcements, journals, discussions, tasks, media, blogs Format content for mobile viewing –.pdf file attachments –Mp3 and mp4 video and audio links Help students use the apps –promote Mobile Learn & EHU Central –remind students to set their notification preferences eShare Guides Blackboard Mobile Learn: Best Practices for Making Online Courses Mobile-Friendly http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1372/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1372/

41. edgehill.ac.uk/ls LTD offer teaching and learning training: Face-to-face group sessions Online resources – Blog, Guides, On DemandBlogGuidesOn Demand One-to-one sessions Campaigns: VLE Upgrade Emerging Technologies Collaborate Assignment Handler Baseline / Getting Started DDE Blackboard area – Coming soon! Learning Services offers other training such as ICT, information literacy, technologies for researchers etc. Staff Development

42. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Blogging - Advice on setting up a blog and using it for your team’s purpose. The iPad - An exploration of the potential uses of this particular tablet computer. Web Feeds - Using RSS feeds to keep up to date with information from the web. Mobile Devices - An introduction to using mobile devices, including a look at using Blackboard Mobile. Images - Advice on using images in Learning Edge. Audio and Video - An introduction to the different ways audio and video can be used in education, including creation and hosting. Clicker Systems - Ways in which classroom voting systems can be used. Mobile Friendly Content - Preparing your course content with mobile access in mind. Staff Development

43. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Learning Services Helpdesk ltdsupport email LTD Operations Co-ordinator LTDOs Faculty Administrators Level’s of support 1 – Help desks 2 – LTDOs 3 – Escalated to providers Exemptions include; Content and tool development/management/set-up, bespoke process issues, enrolment issues, etc. Technical Support

44. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Discussion “… whether the use of technology could enhance your practice.” Reflect and evaluate how the use of technology could enhance your practice: Consider Why is your idea Appropriate? How will you go about implementing it? What are the challenges? Are there any risks? Use the BB course evaluation rubric handout to frame your discussion/thoughts around your use of the VLE

45. edgehill.ac.uk/ls The VLE of the future

46. edgehill.ac.uk/ls How could the technologies of the future change education? Who should be in control of learning? VLEs v PLEs What skills will enhance students employability? (Digital Literacy, 9K Expectations – Colin Gibson) What is the point of a University Education? (Open Educational Courses, Badges) Analytics – giving accurate and timely quantitative student engagement data. Informed by local and national student surveys. Change … Time-to-Adoption Horizon: One Year or Less Mobile Apps, Tablet Computing Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Two to Three Years Game-Based Learning, Learning Analytics Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Four to Five Years Gesture-Based Computing, Internet of Things Horizon Report 2012

47. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Analytics (Mobile) - to inform your design Bitesize information applicable to peak usage (Morning, Lunch, evening, travel periods) Faculty Welcome Sites (Blackboard) To give pre-enrolled students an insight into the online learning environment with regard to their faculty (In conjunction with a CRM Getting Started area) Extras

48. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Thank you & Questions

49. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Resources & Reading eShare Collection: The EHU Student eLearning Surveys: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1348/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1348/ Headlines from the 4 th EHU Student eLearning Survey: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1341/ BB Exemplary Course Rubric: http://www.blackboard.com/getdoc/7deaf501-4674-41b9-b2f2- 554441ba099b/2012-Blackboard-Exemplary-Course-Rubric.aspxhttp://www.blackboard.com/getdoc/7deaf501-4674-41b9-b2f2- 554441ba099b/2012-Blackboard-Exemplary-Course-Rubric.aspx VLE Design Aesthetics - Some Ideas: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1445/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1445/ Audit for Dyslexia Friendly VLE: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1444/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1444/ Exemplar A-Z Student Guide to Blackboard: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1446/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1446/ Blackboard Mobile Learn: Best Practices for Making Online Courses Mobile-Friendly: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1372/ http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1372/ eShare Collection: Learning Edge: Blackboard Mobile Learn: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/937/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/937/ Moving assessed student presentations online: how a change in practice brought "...a breath of fresh air" to the student experience: http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1265/http://www.eshare.edgehill.ac.uk/1265/

50. edgehill.ac.uk/ls Resources & Reading Horizon Report 2012: http://www.nmc.org/publications/horizon-report-2012-higher-ed-editionhttp://www.nmc.org/publications/horizon-report-2012-higher-ed-edition 7 Things You Should Know About Analytics: http://www.educause.edu/Resources/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutAnaly/202736 http://www.educause.edu/Resources/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutAnaly/202736 EDUCAUSE: 7 Things You Should Know about…: http://www.educause.edu/ELI7Thingshttp://www.educause.edu/ELI7Things Practice with Personal Learning Environments: http://mary-karpel.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/practice- with-personal-learning.htmlhttp://mary-karpel.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/practice- with-personal-learning.html Developing digital literacy in higher education: http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education- network/blog/2012/feb/28/developing-digital-literacyhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education- network/blog/2012/feb/28/developing-digital-literacy Digital literacy can boost employability and improve student experience: http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/blog/2011/dec/15/digital-literacy- employability-student-experience http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/blog/2011/dec/15/digital-literacy- employability-student-experience The Emerging Landscape of Educational Delivery Models: http://mfeldstein.com/the-emerging- landscape-of-educational-delivery- models/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterhttp://mfeldstein.com/the-emerging- landscape-of-educational-delivery- models/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter Learning from MOOCS: http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/hack-higher-education/learning- moocshttp://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/hack-higher-education/learning- moocs MOOC Reflections, Clark Quinn: http://blog.learnlets.com/?p=2562http://blog.learnlets.com/?p=2562 Open Badges: http://openbadges.org/en-US/http://openbadges.org/en-US/