The Way Forward

1
The Way Forward

• The future use of Learning Technologies
• in the University of Brighton
• Dr R Stanier

2
The past the present

• The past
• Bill Atkinson - a man with a vision
• The present
• A variety of sophisticated
• technologies that allow the creation
• of a rich learning teaching
• environment

3
Mind Reading...
Please mentally select a card and concentrate on
it. I will perform this feat via mind control...
4
Mind Reading...
And now, whisper the name of your card out
loud.Please don't skip this part, it is very
important.
5
Mind Reading...
I have selected your card and have removed it
from the pile.
Surprised?
6
The Human Factor

• Its the Human input that counts
• Learning technologies are simply a set of tools
  for humans to create with
• Bill Atkinson saw the potential for ordinary
  people to drive the technology

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So why bother?

• Student expectations
• JISC, QAA RAE
• Marketing
• Keeping up with other institutions
• Not forgetting learning teaching the student
  experience!

8
What have we got already?

• Student Intranet - cheap cheerful
• Minimal Realisable Expectation
• Standard Technologies
• Lots of enthusiasm
• But we need more...

9
Consider this...
Online calendars Discussion groups Structured
content assessment Revision systems Email
News communities Student tracking Information
Access Information Management

• All information accessible on off campus
• A simple mechanism for creating online courses,
  content assessment
• Discussion groups for student/tutor
  student/student communication
• A student centred environment to aid information
  management

10
Information Management

• Learning is now about information management as
  much as it is about subject matter
• Average 52,000 hits for parasitology
• Huge variety of different information sources

11
Whats needed...

• We need to increase staff IT Skills
• We need to be able to make appropriate choices
  about the technology
• To respond to student expectations adapt to
  changes in learning cultures
• All this needs appropriate support...

12
Learning Technologies Group

• Providing Learning Technology services
• Academic Liaison
• Training
• Design
• Help define standards

13
LTSOs

• Facilitating the process
• Local knowledge
• Enthusiasm

14
Learning Technologies Network

• Drawn from all subject areas
• Early adopters
• Subject-specific knowledge
• Enthusiasm

15
Site Information Services Support

• Computer Officers Course Resource Officers
• Site-based service
• Support academic use of technologies in the
  learning teaching process

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What's available outside the University

• JISC - Joint Information Systems Council
• LTSN - Learning Teaching Support Network
• E-University

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The importance of JISC as a driving force in UKHE

• DNER
• MLE
• JANET
• Advice
• Support?
• MANs
• Innovation
• International Relations

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How do we go forward?

• Big Bang?
• or
• Planned Cultural Evolution

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The Big Bang Theory - Coventry

• 1m over 3 years
• Driven by directorate
• 30 strong task force
• All modules listed

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The Big Bang Theory - Coventry
I cried when they made me use WebCT

• Resistance from staff
• Take up greatest where high level of technical
  support
• QAA average 20.1

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University of Brighton

• We have 60,000 over 2 years
• Task force of 11 (LTSOs steering group)
• Policy of facilitation rather than dictation
• QAA average 21.6

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The way forward

• Capitalise on what were good at - Teaching
• Planned Cultural Evolution
• Make best use of the support available -LTSOs
  LTG
• Being able to make appropriate choices
• Using content NOT developing it

23
The future

• Richer and more interactive content learning
  support
• Easier content production access
• Mobile Communications - the prefered method of
  communication
• Digital TV - ubiquitous technology

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Your students need you!