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Linking development and innovation with mainstream activities. Grainne Conole & Paul Browning Belfast, 25 June g.conole@bristol.ac.uk. ICT R&D - it can only get better?. The current picture looks rosy, we have a wealth of good ICT research a growing mass of resources and developments - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a national centre of excellence in the development and use of technology-based methods in teaching, learning and research
1
Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Linking development and
innovation with mainstream
activities
Grainne
Conole
&
Paul
Browning
Belfast, 25 Juneg.conole@bristol.ac.uk
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
ICT R&D - it can only get better?
• The current picture looks rosy, we have – a wealth of good ICT research– a growing mass of resources and developments– new types of specialist ICT professionals– emergence of niche units of expertise– a wealth of supporting national and international
agendas and initiatives– Having lots of R&D activities must automatically
benefit mainstream university activities?
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
But there is a gap…..– R&D findings don’t always relate to university strategy– R&D activities often occur in isolation and don’t link to
mainstream university activities– There is a lack of communication and understanding – Developments/resources are often built without enough
reference to end users needs– Resource are often not widely used across university– There is sometimes a conflict between ICT R&D interests
and mainstream needs/focus
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Key factors– ICT research and development
• is a moving target• will have a significant and growing impact in the future
– Scale up• evidence of the area maturing, eg emerging standards• need to look at issues of scale up and impact on
organisational change
– Joining up• imperative that wide range of disciplines impacting on this
research area are brought together• need wide range of skills and a multidisciplinary approach
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Harnessing the potential of ICT• We need to
– close the loop between R&D and mainstream activities– have a clear understanding and focus on university needs– provide mechanisms for best using ICT R&D expertise
into mainstream activities
• Benefits– a more cohesive and focused set of activities– more directly relevant to the university and end users – better integration with mainstream activities and agendas
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Technical: Functionality, interoperability, robustness
Pedagogical: Types of learning, integration, support
A complex matrix of issues
Structural: What structures, who should do what
Support: Training and staff development, student help
Strategy: Institutional leadership, Joined up strategies
Culture: organisational change, ownership, time to adapt
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
The wider agenda
University learning and teaching innovation fundsHefce quality enhancement funds
CTI, LTSN, TLTP, FDTL, JISC e_Lib and DNER
National drivers: NGfL, ufi, e-university The International context: globalisation, competition/collaboration
Research findings The Virtual Society and PACCITLink to practice
Res
ourc
esD
rive
rsR
esea
rch
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Strategies for closing the loop– a better understanding of the underlying factors
– provision of a communication route for R&D activities
– reflection on experience in the field and feed back
– articulating the link between R&D and strategy
– awareness of key university political agendas and drivers
– Constant communication and dialogue
– Representation on appropriate formal structures
– Mutual respect and understanding
– Critical projects - to act as flagships or testbeds
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Case study ILRT within a University of Bristol context
– Outline of underlying philosophy– Overview of
• ILRT’s research and development activities• main ingredients for sustaining R&D activities• key strategies for linking to mainstream activities
– Example of a ‘critical’ project for joining up
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Information gateways, digital libraries
Internet design, research and development
Institute for Learning & Research TechnologyA diverse range of R&D, services and consultancy
Digital image research and services
Virtual worlds, learning tools and environments
Pedagogical research and evaluation
Consultancy, courses, conferences
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
People and supportgood practice, expertise and resources
70-80 staff with a wide range of expertise Technical, pedagogical, research and development, digitisation
and imaging, teaching and learning, project management, knowledge management & organisational change
Project-based, supportive structureEncourages creativity, track record of
sustainability, supported by a strong virtual presence and networking structure
Cross-disciplinary Expertise, research and
development
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Inter-linked activities
Technical R&D
Pedagogical R&D
Projects and services
Advice and consultancy
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Advisory services, teaching, staff
development & training
Services and resources, digital libraries and
information gateways
Pedagogical and technical research
Tasi
LTSN Economics
LTSS
IDBiz/ed
Bopcris
Filter
Toolkits
Evaluation
Reviews
Web design & usability
M/VLEs
Easel Medcertain
Harmony
Cultures
Renardus
BB-LTSosig
RDN VTS
WinEcon
RegardRGSS
Short courses
ETS masters
Workshops
Conferences
modules
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
LTSS - harnessing project expertise
LunchbytesWorkshopsLearning
resources
Discussion fora
Interact
Try it
Showcases
VTS tutorials
Internet Catalogue
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
ID - build and consultancy
Virtual worldsBespoke VLEs
Advice & consultancy
Workshops
VIOLETIntranet buildData
Showcases
Usability & design
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
A ‘critical’ project - VIOLET• VIOLET
– Virtual Integrated OnLine Environment for Teaching”
• Sister project to IRIS– The UoB "Research & Enterprise" portal
• VIOLET aspires to – deliver a "Teaching & Learning" portal
• IRIS and VIOLET together– underpin efforts to realise the vision of a University
Portal.
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Builds on
• Internal Research and Development work
• Growing cross-institutional need
• Timely recent report from Learning and Teaching group
• Institutional strategies– Learning and Teaching strategy– Information Strategy– Emergent C&IT strategy
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Timescale and aims
• Four-month feasibility study – which will conclude at the end of July 2001
• The project aims to – explore the issues around an appropriate Virtual
and Managed Leaning Environment for the University
– to make recommendations for the future
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
3 main strands– To implement
• a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf VLE (Blackboard)
– To ensure • that the DataHub is populated by authoritative student and curriculum
information from the Dolphin student system
– To create • a bespoke VMLE (building on Medici and Law Intranet) that uses the
DataHub information to provide a framework into which learning resources may be added
– Evaluation - Cross institution team• To compare COTS & bespoke, explore use, make recommendations
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Themes and strands
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Stakeholder involvement• COTS VLE strand
– Medicine (link in with bespoke)– Education (to explore learning aspects)– Conversion from existing systems
• Bespoke VLE strand– Builds on Medici and Law sites– Reworking of Medici in zope– Vets, Dentists, Education– others in the pipe line
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Critical factors• Key Strengths
– Pragmatic approach• based on current need and
demand
• the state of the technology
– Joined-up thinking• Combining expertise across
UoB
• Generating shared ownership
– Eye to the future• Educating stakeholders
• Strategic perspective
• Key Issues– Joining up can be hard!
• Technically - closed MIS systems, but glueware like Zope really helps
• Culturally - closed MIS mindset, but an Information Strategy really helps
– Adequate resources– Problem still seems huge
• Integration of COTS and bespoke
• Resource implications
• Fostering ownership
• Training requirements
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Compromise• Integration requires
– cross-institutional collaboration
– an understanding of the different perspectives and agendas involvement
– a belief in the process/expected outcomes and benefits
• It’s a tricky balance!– Researchers don’t want to
link into ‘real’ activities– What funders want doesn’t
always match local aspirations
– Developers not listening to end user needs
– Tension between commercial, local & researchBut….
Thorough integration of R&D activities with mainstream agenda benefits everyone
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Whole greater than the sum of the parts?• Each project builds on other R&D activities• There is ongoing communication with other projects in ILRT.
What are they doing? How can the outputs from one project feed into another?
• The feedback loop is cyclical with research informing development and experience of use in the field feeding back into research
• Outputs are fed into other ILRT activities, the University and appropriate external channels
• Individual expertise and interests, role of staff development• Influence of proximity• Academic credibility and respect, mutual understanding
The Institute for Learning and Research Technology is a centre of excellence in the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies for learning and research
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Institute for Learning and Research Technology
Success factors
– a clear link between R&D activities and mainstream– a mechanism for communication back and forth– evidence of relevance to end user needs– utilisation of sector expertise and niche specialities– a broad multidisciplinary perspective– appropriate utilisation of national/international initiatives– integration with local agendas
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