The University Management Committee, at its meeting in June, considered the recommendations from the Learning with Technologies Implementation Group and approved the two central aspects of a Unified Virtual Learning Environment and its support.
- The implementation of Moodle – www.moodle.org, an open-source Virtual Learning Environment, as the technical foundation for the Unified System.
It was recognised that it was important for any proposal for supporting learning with new technologies to recognise Strathclyde’s devolved culture, the existing strengths in certain technologies and the University’s history of successfully managing large in-house developments. It is intended that the functionality provided in the first instance is at least at the current level. In most cases, however, it is envisaged that the breadth and functionality provided will be significantly increased.
LearnOnline in its current format (WebCT) will continue to be provided during academic year 2009/2010. It is the intention that all WebCT classes will be migrated to the new platform by summer 2010 with the WebCT platform ceasing service in September 2010. A schedule for the migration from other platforms will be outlined towards the beginning of 2010.
- The establishment of a Learning Technologies Partnership Network, to provide ongoing support and enhancement for the Unified model. The Partnership Network will consist of:
- Learning Technology Advisers
- Learning Systems Developers
- Educational Developers from CAPLE
- Multimedia Developers in Learning Service
working with Academic and Professional services staff in Departments and Faculties
The ‘Learning Technologies Partnership Network’ was devised with the aim of developing and promoting usage of innovating technologies in teaching, learning and assessment. This development will see the existing VLE Project Team merged into the Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement with the intention that the team draws on expertise from around the University.
A Project Board with representation from Faculties , Professional Services and the Students’ Association will manage the migration and development phase. The project plan and communications strategy is being created to ensure that staff and students are kept fully updated during the progress of this project. These will be published on the website at a later date when finalised. If you have any questions, please direct these to Howard Ramsay, VLE Project Leader, in CAPLE – howard.ramsay@strath.ac.uk .