Learning and Teaching using integrated userowned and institutionallyowned systems

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Learning and Teaching using integrated user-owned
and institutionally-owned systems

• PADDLE
• Piloting A DecentraliseD Learning Environment
• Henry Blackman Carol Comer
• University of Chester
• http//www.chester.ac.uk/ple/

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Our Project
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The Story

• University of Chester - Small NEW University
• NOT leading with eLearning
• HEA eBenchmarking Programme Self-Evaluation
• Good VLE - but resistance from Staff
• F2F 1 Hour, 2xWeek Lecture/Seminar Culture
• Desire to Step Change from Management

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What Is A PLE?

• Personally chosen applications or web services
• Uses standards
• Aggregate, display or act on data
• Data from personal, University and work life

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Affordances of the PLE

• Learners are busy
• Content is PUSHED to learners (and other staff!)
• Underlying tech mobile, web or desktop
• Standard, freely available tools utilised -
  Already using?
• Content updated in PLE when updated in VLE
• Interaction is preserved where possible

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Introduction to PADDLE

• Funded by JISC
• Delivery outside the VLE
• Not reinventing the wheel, use RSS, iCal, FOAF
  etc
• Use existing aggregators, readers and devices
• Track effects on learners, teachers and pedagogy
• Judge the technology, effects - sharing approaches

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Our 2 Year Project

• IBIS Chester In-House VLE extended
• RSS (podcasts content), iCal for ALL content
• Small pilot module October - More modules January
• Blended learning modules (circa 3/4 online)
• Evaluation of effects, attitudes and technology
  success
• Every teacher learner has access to this
  technology!

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Our Project Students

• Non-traditional
• Work based students
• Mature!
• Non-IT students, but IT literate
• Studying Health Informatics Foundation Degree

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Staff Development

• Develop and promote across the University
• Utilise the University eLearning Strategy
  structure
• Academic Development Advisor (eLearning)
• Faculty eLearning Coordinators
• Learning Technology Unit

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The Technology
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How IBIS Works
Create Content
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How IBIS Works
Define content order
Time release
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How IBIS Works
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Examples
VLE
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Examples
RSS Reader
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Examples
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Technological Restrictions Workarounds

• Alternate display of objects

• RSS reader support for media and forms variable

• Limited mainstream support for iCal subs, and
  FOAF (etc)

• Ride wave of Firefox 3, Netvibes modules and new
  Web 2.0 startups

• All content displayed - negating RSS advantages

• Order specified, time released content delivered
  on a schedule

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Pedagogic Restrictions Workarounds

• Induction Pre-course training given

• Learner prior experience with technology limited

• RSS delivers time-released content

• Structured but also dynamic responses adjusted
  with delivery

• Embrace diverse learner behaviour

• Is a PLE just changing delivery mechanisms

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The Future

• Better support for various feed readers
• Reflections - Forms Support Video - Media
  Support
• Supporting unknown technology
• Other technology supported when clients are
  available
• Netvibes/Apple Dashboard/Google Widgets with
  Netvibes UWA Facebook Plugin
• Our VLE is PART of the learners experience not at
  the centre - it should NOT be a silo

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The Future - 2
Courtesy Alex Faaborg
Integration of Distributed Data Via Microformats
and Brokers
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Questions, Comments and Suggestions!
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Who We Are?

• Henry Blackman, Head of Learning
  TechnologyProject Lead, h.blackman_at_chester.ac.uk
• Carol Comer, Academic Advisor eLearningProject
  Manager, c.comer_at_chester.ac.uk
• Alice Jones, Learning Technologist
  alice.jones_at_chester.ac.uk