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Welcome to the LearningEdge
Regular readers might be forgiven for wondering what has become of the VLE Review blog. With the review now over an implementation project has taken over. To reflect this new focus, the blog has been renamed and given a makeover.
The name change isn’t just for the blog, it covers the whole virtual learning environment (VLE). The role of the VLE is rapidly changing to become more than a single technology ‘product’ – Blackboard 9.1 is now only part of the picture as it becomes a ‘hub’ or core learning system capable of being extended by other systems and learning technologies that integrate seamlessly with it. Staff or students should from September 2011 only need to go to one place (Blackboard) in order to access blogs, wikis, announcements, TurnItIn, podcasts, videos, conferencing, digitized content, discussion and so on. In recognition of this expansion, Edge Hill’s virtual learning environment has been given a new name where symbolically learning comes first and foremost. Welcome to LearningEdge!
While things have been quiet on the blog front recently, there has been a lot of activity going on behind the scenes – think of a swan gliding along the water in a stately fashion whilst its legs are paddling like the clappers below – that’s a good description of the LearningEdge implementation project team!
We’ll be posting updates on progress and inviting your comments and suggestions on a regular basis as we work towards going fully live with the LearningEdge by September 2011. We’ll also be adding pages to the menu which will give you information about how the implementation is being handled in your Faculty. Like the strapline at the top of the page says … the journey continues …
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Introduction to Blackboard 9.1
Learning Technology Development are working closely with Faculties to introduce staff to the new features and functionality of Blackboard 9.1.
A recorded version of of the Introduction to 9.1 Presentation currently being offered to Faculty Champions and Faculty of Education Teams is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmeq1BlIs1I.
The video is about 6 minutes long and gives a brief overview of the new features available in Blackboard 9.1 and highlights some of the key developments and changes from version 8.
If you want a sneak preview of 9.1 take a look.
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I'm opening the envelope … and the winner is …
If you are a regular reader of this blog you will know that we have been conducting a virtual learning environment (VLE) Review for this past academic year. If you are not a regular reader, a scan of earlier blog posts will soon bring you up to speed on the whys, hows, whens etc. As well as the blog, we’ve run consultation events, workshops, interviews and staff and student surveys in order to to gain as much feedback as possible from all interested parties. Thank you again to everyone who engaged with the project, you have helped to inform the decision-making process.
A speedy decision was needed following the conclusion of the VLE Review as the contract for the current VLE (Blackboard version CE8) was due to expire [and in fact did expire on the 15 August] .
Oh yes, the decision … following a report to the University’s Information Strategy Committee, a decision was made to move to Blackboard version 9.1 – with it being fully operational from September 2011.
Blackboard 9.1 offers some exciting new features such as integration with Facebook as well as other Web 2.0 services such as wikis and blogs. Although this is an upgrade to a system rather than a complete change, it will take some familiarisation, however it is anticipated it will allow staff to not only maintain their level of TEL provision, but to also enhance it with greater ease.
September onwards will see the start of a rolling staff development programme that will introduce and develop your understanding and skills in relation to the new version of Blackboard as well as other aspects of TEL … more information on this will follow shortly ….
Lindsey
