Reflections on developments with learning technologies: Yorks
journey and some discussion on sector trends (2003 -2013) HeLF 10th
anniversary meeting Richard Walker - University of York City
University: 6th November 2013
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Yorks journey key phases of technology development
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Whats changed? Our language and service outlook: 2003: Our goal
is to provide an e-learning infrastructure linking communication,
content delivery, course delivery and assessment with a focus on
pedagogic needs (Online Strategy) 2013: ..emphasis on the use of
technology to empower the learner, giving students more control of
and responsibility for their learning and development. (E-learning
vision statement) Service portfolio: from VLE to mobile learning,
lecture recording, Web 2.0 and Google Apps Service structure: from
a centralised model: VLE Service Group (dedicated /embedded IT
support) to: - co-operative management with IT Services:
(competitive service development) - network-based steering groups:
LT Forum: departmental VLE Coordinators Service ownership: from
silo to distributed and overlapping responsibilities Cross-service
management: porous service boundaries
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Shared ownership of e-learning services E-Learning Development
Team: VLE service & mobile learning app; e- assessment & e-
assignment (submission & marking) & IT: Google Apps for
Education; streaming service & IT, AV & Timetabling:
lecture capture service & QA: collaborative provision for
validated online programmes & Learning Enhancement: academic
skills tutorials & Turnitin & Library: social media &
digital skills training; reading lists & digital library &
Admissions /Widening Participation office: outreach &
transition services on VLE Research Office: Virtual Research
Environment
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Yorkshare Service Portfolio 2012/13
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Changing expectations & concerns of our students But some
things stay the same! Establish system for staff to give feedback
on student performance Facilitate access to individual assessment
records to support checking of grades
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Yorks technology adoption cycle Adapted from the Gartner Hype
Cycle
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsphttp://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp
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Yorks technology adoption cycle How does Yorks journey match
your own institutions TEL development? Adapted from the Gartner
Hype Cycle
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsphttp://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp
Discernible trends in technology development Establishing an LT
infrastructure: 1.Scaling-up & mainstreaming of institutional
TEL services: centrally managed 2.Focus on a core set of learning
technologies : widely deployed and adopted Consolidation:
embedding, integrating & extending LT services: 3.Embedding of
learning technology concerns within institutional strategies: from
silo to joined-up thinking 4.But attention also to learner
entitlements: control, access & mobility Renewal: innovative
pedagogy & course delivery models 5.Transforming academic
practice through pedagogically-led applications of learning
technology for student learning 6.New course delivery models
through online education To what extent does the data from the
UCISA surveys support these trends?
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1 Scaling up & mainstreaming of institutional TEL
services
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Institutional adoption of VLEs Number of students using
VLEs
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2 Focus on a core set of learning technologies: widely deployed
and adopted
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3 Embedding of learning technology concerns within
institutional strategies: from silo to joined-up thinking
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Top six most commonly cited institutional strategies that have
informed TEL development
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4 But attention also to learner entitlements: control, access
& mobility
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Software tools used by students which are not
centrally-supported.
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5 Transforming academic practice through pedagogically-led
applications of learning technology for student learning?
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Categories of TEL usage for taught modules over the years
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6 New course delivery models through online education
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Concluding observations from the UCISA data The data reflects
the mainstreaming of TEL services with expanding central teams over
the past decade. Convergence in the provision of centrally
supported online services for teaching and learning; notably VLEs
and e-assessment services are now well established Yet
transformation of learning & course delivery still to be
realised - for change to be transformational it requires academic
staff to be given the time, the tools and the trust to develop
their practice in the use of digital technologies (Laurillard,
2010). Implications here for: - staff development: exploring the
use of student-controlled learning modes, as opposed to simply
encouraging traditional modes of instructor-oriented delivery; -
integration and support for student-owned devices - embracing the
BYOD agenda and scope for support for student-led interactive and
collaborative learning, delivered in a more flexible way. (Walker,
Voce & Jenkins, 2013)
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References Gartner Hype Cycle.
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp
http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp
JISC MLE information pack Introducing Managed Learning Environments
(MLEs).
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/buildmlehefe/lifelonglearning/mlebriefingpack.aspx
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/buildmlehefe/lifelonglearning/mlebriefingpack.aspx
Laurillard, D. (2010). Digital technologies and their role in
achieving our ambitions for education: an inaugural professorial
lecture. London; Institute of Education National Union of Students
[NUS] (2010). Student perspectives on technology demand,
perceptions and training needs. Report to HEFCE by NUS.
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rereports/year/2010/studpersptech/
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rereports/year/2010/studpersptech/
Walker, R., Voce, J. & Jenkins, M. (2013). Charting the
development of technology enhanced learning developments across the
UK HE sector: a longitudinal perspective (2001 - 2012). Interactive
Learning Environments. Routledge: London.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10494820.2013.867888
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10494820.2013.867888
Walker, R., Voce, J., & Ahmed, J. (2012). 2012 Survey of
Technology Enhanced Learning for higher education in the UK. UCISA
Report.
http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/~/media/groups/ssg/surveys/TEL_survey_2012_with%20Apps_final
http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/~/media/groups/ssg/surveys/TEL_survey_2012_with%20Apps_final
