Relinking University Teaching

1
Relinking University Teaching

• Neil Ringan
• Director, Learning Innovation Centre
• University of Huddersfield

2
Relinking - Why ?

• Over time, various support has been added
• library, registry, computing, learning technology
• But does the support actually support ?
• Have we lost sight of the core business ?
• Possibly
• Are MLEs a way to redress the balance ?

3
Relinking - What ?
Systems
4
Relinking Systems

• Disparate range of Management Information Systems
• student management, assessment, library, finance
• Organic development - little thought of
  inter-operability
• Separate support streams, with no cover or
  overlap
• Ownership and access to data
• Quality assurance of data
• Ensure MLE development involves all stakeholders
• Set explicit data quality standards
• Use the MLE as the lever to bring things together
  
• Agree who manages the data and set support
  standards
• Implement MLE as closed and open up as necessary

5
Relinking Processes

• Inappropriate timescales for electronic
  environments
• Roles, responsibilities demarcation
• Ineffective procedures ? inaccurate data
• User perception the system is wrong
• Appropriateness of processes - manual /
  technological
• Huge potential if the systems and processes work
• Examine existing procedures - then throw them out
• Look for simpler and more efficient ways of doing
  things
• use the technology to help not hinder
• Identify who, what, when, how and where
• Apply processes consistently across the
  institution

6
Relinking Staff

• Roles and responsibilities are changing
• academic, technical, administrative, clerical -
  hybridisation
• What is it realistic for individuals to do
• material development, course administration,
  student support
• Staff need accurate and timely data to do their
  job
• Staff development - IT, pedagogy, VLE, MIS
• Move to project team initiatives
• Make systems work for the staff who need them
• Effective co-ordination of staff development
• Provide effective, pro-active support services
• Consult and involve from day one

7
Relinking Management

• Too many strategies and too many masters
• A large business cannot operate effectively via
  anarchy
• Business Process Re-engineering
• Why do we do things in the ways we do ?
• Lack of clarity means systems dictate processes
  we use
• Have a clear vision of what you are trying to do,
  and why
• Develop clear, effective strategies - SMART
  objectives
• Senior management commitment - and involvement
• One person to oversee all systems and processes
• Effectively managed C IT should resolve the
  problem, not cause it

8
The Big Picture
Effective system implementation
9
Our Approach

• e-learning development manager
• project manage the implementation of Blackboard
• consult with stakeholders on processes supporting
  the MLE
• develop and implement appropriate procedures
• co-ordinate training, development and support
  processes
• Baseline review of student management processes
• Blackboard Implementation Group
• all Schools, all levels of staff, all MIS areas,
  all support services
• Blackboard operational support desk
• Team of advisors to work with staff
• pedagogy, multimedia, web design/HCI, assessment

10
Summary

• Turning a VLE into an MLE is about a lot more
  than systems interoperability
• The processes and procedures which enable the
  systems to be implemented are key
• Relink systems so that they work for us
• Relink staff so they can do their jobs
  effectively
• Relink processes and management so staff and
  systems are effectively supported