Projects

Embedding e-learning using e-learning Advocates - 2007/8

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Manchester Metroploitan University

Status: Completed September 2008

Brief description

The central objectives for this project were for the advocate to increase basic use of the institutional VLE, in the Department of English at Manchester Metropolitan University, from a fairly low base to somewhere near 100% and to support interested colleagues in more adventurous use of elearning tools.The advocate also wanted from the outset to make his department 'more confident and effective' in securing appropriate institutional support for its elearning needs.

Project Summary

Background

When I arrived at MMU the department operated only three WebCT course areas, in all of which the same colleague was involved. We now operate eight, on the older WebCT Campus platform. Most of these are fairly basic document delivery mechanisms. In September 2007 the Faculty of Humanities, Law and Social Sciences at MMU will be making the transfer from WebCT Campus to WebCT Vista. This transfer will open up a range of new opportunities for the more flexible and creative use of elearning. Several of my colleagues, for instance, are involved in the online teaching of Creative Writing, operating live workshops with students around the world. These Creative Writers are keen to explore the potential of podcasting and their experimentation will, in turn, inform innovation in the department as a whole. As an elearning advocate my aim would be to lead my colleagues in building a new departmental portfolio of WebCT resources that greatly extend our elearning practice. In particular I am interested in developing elearning within the department as a support for independent student learning. Most English degrees incorporate a final-year dissertation, and many now incorporate a dedicated skills unit at preliminary level. Our programme is unusual in connecting these elements through a consistent trajectory which foregrounds key transferable research skills at every level of study in units focussed on the formulation, researching, planning and completion of an independent project. Elearning has a vital role to play in helping students to develop their skills as apprentice researchers and as part of a learning community, sharing experiences and knowledge.

Aims and Objectives

Methodology

I will devote one day per week to the project. This time will be divided amongst the following activities:

I will hold a series of around ten workshops open to the whole department to pool ideas on the ongoing development of resources. Where appropriate I will invite visiting presenters to these workshops: elearning support staff; colleagues from within the University; and colleagues from the wider subject community. I would like, for instance to host current elearning advocate Dr Lee Horsley, of Lancaster University, to speak to colleagues about elearning and creative writing.
Much of my time will be spent working with individuals on the development of their personal teaching resources. I will be a co-designer on all new WebCT areas and will be able to share my design skills, templates and transferable resources with colleagues. I will offer weekly drop-in slots and appointment times, when colleagues can come to my office to work on their individual resources, varying the days on which I offer these to accommodate colleagues’ teaching commitments.
Some time will be spent developing my own skills and knowledge. I will take in-house courses in general web design and enlist the help of Learning and Teaching Unit staff to help me learn specialist tools such as Course Genie and Respondus. I’ll invite in-house Vista experts to review our ongoing work to ensure that we’re getting the most out of the platform.
I will use a departmental Strategy day in Mid-September 2007, at the beginning of the Autumn Term, to consult with colleagues about the way ahead for elearning within the department. I will arrange presentations from colleagues already using elearning in various innovative ways and give my own presentation on the potential of WebCT Vista.
I will also use some of the time granted me as an advocate to network with the wider subject elearning community. I will attend ESC and JISC events and use the ESC and JISC websites to make contacts and familiarise myself with the best of current practice.
To evaluate the impact of my period of advocacy I will canvas the views of staff and students towards the end of the year via online discussion forums and a questionnaire. I will explore the possibility of placing the latter online, with a pop-up request to fill it in appearing when students log into core WebCT resource Researching English.

Report

E-learning Advocates Project Report - Jess Edwards, Manchester Metropolitan University (MSWord 74kb)

Project leader

Dr Jess Edwards

Manchester Metropolitan University

Tel: 0161 247 6167

Research period

September 2007 - September 2008

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