1. ‘Moodling in’: Using a virtual learning environment to deliver staff induction An interactive workshop presented by Andrea Lambon Assistant Director, Library and Learning Resources Birmingham City University

2. About us: Birmingham City University – 23,000 students Library and Learning Resources – 170 staff in 8 libraries and Learning Resource Centres

3. What we are going to cover in this session: consider what issues need to be addressed examine how a VLE can be used to host a staff induction programme evaluate the suitability of a VLE to deliver staff induction list recommendations based on lessons learnt

4. What we wanted to achieve: to make induction a positive experience to make the programme relevant, manageable and engaging to be able to assess learning to provide a tool for consistent delivery to give time for learning and reflection

5. Activity Think about your induction process and identify any issues you need to address

6. Issues we needed to resolve: Paper based daunting line manager reliant inconsistent delivery instruction rather than engagement little assessment of learning no consideration given to how people learn Activity: Pick one of these issues and say how you would go about solving it

7. What we did: Used a VLE – Moodle to host documentation, assessments and activities on the VLE divided the programme into modules produced a series of checklists to guide the line manager and inductees through the programme employed Course Genie to provide a different interface for supporting information developed online quizzes with instant feedback and results created links through to other useful information evaluation of the programme at the end of each module

8. What we did: Use of a VLE - Moodle

9. Divided the programme into modules

10. Produced a series of checklists to guide line mangers and inductees through the programme

11. Host the documentation, written assessments and activities including video clips and scenarios

15. Employed Course Genie to provide a different interface for supporting information

16. Developed online quizzes with instant feedback and results

17. Created links through to other useful information

18. Evaluation of the programme

20. Activity What other modern technologies could be used? and How can we employ them?

21. Evaluation of a VLE to deliver staff induction: Feedback from one new member of staff: ‘The Moodle platform is ideal for staff induction with facilities for expanding and including links to further useful material it should be exploited to the full’

22. What a VLE offers: allows information to be presented in a variety of formats provides the facility for engagement and assessment tailored programmes as line managers can dictate the priorities and modules they want their staff to undertake enables the line manger to assess learning and understanding self paced learning for the inductee a reference tool that can be referred back to

23. What a VLE can’t do: replace the human touch  Line managers now spend time in feeding back rather than instructing  Buddying introduced to provide informal support  Still plenty of ‘on the job’ training required  Work Journals to record reflective learning

24. List of recommendations based on lessons learnt: A VLE should be used as part of a blended approach to learning begin by reviewing your current process choose the right format for you agree the structure of the programme prior to commencing work on the VLE make as interactive and engaging as possible using a variety of formats to maintain interest try to ensure that you have a good level of technical skills and abilities in your team prior to setting up the VLE

25. List of recommendations based on lessons learnt: be prepared to create your own materials including video clips and photos set aside time to develop the VLE engage with your line managers as they will be the ones delivering the programme get a basic programme in place and then add to it. It will never be finished and will constantly need updating!

26. Plans for the future: Continue to develop modules add further assessments and activities to increase interaction include more innovative delivery i.e. Podcasts, training videos introduce ePortfolios to record learning and development set up a staff induction blog to the wider library community look at how Moodle can be employed to support staff training in general monitor, evaluate and review.

27. Any questions? andrea.lambon@bcu.ac.uk