moving from blackboard

www.spedutech.com023 8097 0968

Decommissioning the University VLE: Using SharePoint to Engage

with StudentsCS703

Dave Coleman & Alex Bradbeer


About Dave Coleman

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


About Alex Bradbeer

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


Agenda

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


Pop Quiz

1. SharePoint Admin?

2. SharePoint Developer?

3. SharePoint Consultant?

4. Power User?


Pop Quiz

1. Schools?

2. Colleges?

3. Universities?

4. Business?


The Problem with VLEs!!


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


What we had (2005-2011)…

Blackboard v.9.2


What we have established (so far!)

SharePoint

+

WordPress


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


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


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


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


Sign in…?


…and again… and again?


Course Blogs

Course Blogs

IntranetIntranet

Student RecordsStudent Records

Email Live @ EDU

Email Live @ EDU

StatisticsStatistics

SharePointSharePoint

Initial SharePoint Vision For AUCB


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


Phased Approach

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

as SSO mechanism


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


Why add WordPress?

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

(familiarity, simplified)• Flexibility – plugins etc


Phased Approach

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

opening hours lists etc


The fast moving landscape


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


Questions


Contacts

• Email:- [email protected]• Twitter:- @davecoleman146• http://sharepointedutech.com• [email protected]


Thank you for attending!

moving from blackboard

Education

sharepoint admin

sharepoint developer

sharepoint consultant

learning resources

initial sharepoint vision

phased approach phase

vle problem boxed approach

phased approach preparation