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In the loop …
We’ve been a bit quiet on the blog front as the team’s energies have been focused on the round of consultative workshops we have begun. So far, we have run them for teaching staff in the Faculties of Education and Health and with Central Support staff. The workshops are generating lots of discussion and ideas which are being captured and analysed by the team. Next up is the workshop for the Faculty of Arts and Science (next week) and still in the pipeline is a workshop with students.
It doesn’t end there either! SOLSTICE are repeating their survey into students’ perceptions and expectations of technology-enhanced learning at Edge Hill. This is due to launch in the next week or so (watch this space). You may be interested in reading the results of last year’s survey.
We will also be following up the staff consultation workshops with a survey for all staff. Hopefully, nopbody should feel left out of the consultation.
If you can’t wait to get your voice heard, we’re happy to take your comments via this blog.
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We are not alone …
It seems that Edge Hill is not the only university to be undertaking a review of their VLE provision. At the moment, there are about 15 others facing a similar process and many of these are focusing on their student and staff needs as opposed to fitting these around particular VLE products. We also know that there are a further 7 universities who have completed a review and who are willing to share their approach and experience with the rest of us.
It looks like we are about to see a national VLE Review Special Interest Group (SIG) emerge from this initial, tentative sharing of information and good practice and Edge Hill will be getting involved. As they say, knowledge is power. One thing I have realised is that the ‘marmite effect’ of an institutional VLE is not simply an Edge Hill phenomenon … we are definitely not alone in that respect.
Anyhow, to return to our own VLE review, it would be helpful to know from you what you think the VLE and related tools should be capable of doing to enhance students’ learning. Please keep your comments coming and be part of what now seems to have become the VLE Review movement!
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I've seen the future and it's …
… the Edge Hill Virtual Learning Environment. Really? It could be, but only with the help and support of Edge Hill staff and students.
A colleague recently made the astute observation that Blackboard is like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. From the formal and informal feedback I receive on people’s experience of Blackboard, the Marmite analogy seems to apply whether you are a teacher or a student. The challenge for me is how can we change to a perception of the VLE as chocolate?
After rolling out the use of Blackboard in all first year modules in 2008-09, we have had an opportunity to take stock as it has been a significant learning curve for the whole University. Rather than continue to do more of the same, we would like to do something radical and review everything to do with the VLE – the product, related applications and tools, pedagogy, accessibility, ease of use for all users regardless of location. This is where you come in…
All Edge Hill University staff and students are invited to get involved in the VLE Project starting this month. During October and November we will be issuing a survey and holding workshops to gather a wide range opinions on Blackboard, blended and online learning. We will also be running this blog for the duration of the project to keep you updated and of course, to get a lively discussion going with your comments.
Over to you …
