moving from blackboard

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Decommissioning the University VLE: Using SharePoint to Engage

with StudentsCS703

Dave Coleman & Alex Bradbeer

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About Dave Coleman

• SharePoint Server MVP• 10 years working with SharePoint• Blogger, Writer, Speaker• dave@sharepointedutech.com• @davecoleman146• http://sharepointedutech.com

www.spedutech.com023 8097 0968

About Alex Bradbeer

• Learning Technologist• Arts University College at Bournemouth• SharePoint Noob!• Ex-Lecturer, Graphic/Web Designer• abradbeer@aucb.ac.uk• www.aucb.ac.uk

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Agenda

• The problem with VLE’s!• Why SharePoint?• Implementation at AUCB• The future• Questions

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Pop Quiz

1. SharePoint Admin?

2. SharePoint Developer?

3. SharePoint Consultant?

4. Power User?

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Pop Quiz

1. Schools?

2. Colleges?

3. Universities?

4. Business?

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The Problem with VLEs!!

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What is a VLE?

• Virtual Learning Environment• Utopian dream of packaged learning(!)• Is it a drop box?• Is it a communication device?• Is it a magic ‘teaching’ box (eLearning)?• Essentially it is a platform to disseminate

learning resources to students

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What we had (2005-2011)…

Blackboard v.9.2

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What we have established (so far!)

SharePoint

+

WordPress

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What a ‘VLE’ means to us

Academic ‘Jump Point’ for studentsCentralised Repository for Learning Resources

– a place for staff to ‘publish’ contentMaking Announcements to year groups

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Aspects of a ‘VLE’ we don’t use

☒Annual Recycle – we update the same areas☒Assessment – we record/publish grades

through our student records system☒SCORM-based learning packages or

‘eLearning’ – we are primarily a studio-based institution

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The roots of the VLE problem

• Boxed approach: 1 size fits all• Lack of (easy) development• Isolated (separate from other systems)• Not in tune with today’s cornucopia of social

media, searchability etc• Overly complex - too many (archaic) tools• Cost

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Why we chose SharePoint

• We originally wanted a DMS…• …but it provided us with platform to develop

more:– Gateway/portal to other resources– Centralized Platform (Single Sign On)– Improve Business efficiencies

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Sign in…?

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…and again… and again?

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Course Blogs

Course Blogs

IntranetIntranet

Student RecordsStudent Records

Email Live @ EDU

Email Live @ EDU

StatisticsStatistics

SharePointSharePoint

Initial SharePoint Vision For AUCB

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Implementation at AUCB

• Minimal Stake Holder involvement – Key individuals from departments– Board level agreement around DMS– Quiz course leaders to establish what should

replace Blackboard

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Phased Approach

• Preparation:– Active Directory – spring clean!– ISA – firewalls to keep content internal and utilise

as SSO mechanism

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Phased Approach

• Phase One:– Student Portal– Staff Portal– DMS– Single Sign On – Email, Student Records etc– Course Blogs (WordPress) – RSS feeds acting as

announcements; pages as media publishing

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www.spedutech.com023 8097 0968

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Why add WordPress?

• Richer (media) experience than SharePoint• More immediate for staff to get used to

(familiarity, simplified)• Flexibility – plugins etc

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Phased Approach

• Phase Two:– Intranet– My Stats– Contact Directory– Enhancements – Remote access to servers;

opening hours lists etc

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The fast moving landscape

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Where are we heading

• Transparency – business processes• Communication – using suitable channels

– Announcements– Email– SMS– Blogging etc

• Efficiencies – Academia parallel with Business; departments activities less isolated

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Questions

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Contacts

• Email:- dave@sharepointedutech.com• Twitter:- @davecoleman146• http://sharepointedutech.com• abradbeer@aucb.ac.uk

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Thank you for attending!