www.intute.ac.uk

Making the most of Informs

Lisa Charnock

Mimas Development Officer - Intute

Today’s Session

• A bit of background

• How are people using Informs?

• Hands-on

• How might you use Informs?

What is Informs?

• Flexible software tool for the creation of online tutorials

• Database of user created content for sharing, re-using and amending by other users

• Community of practice and committed user community (mainly in area of information skills )

The ‘Guide at the Side’

Live website

From Huddersfield to Intute

• Background: – 2001 – 2003 Informs created at the University of Huddersfield

– 2006 – 2007 User community lobbied for safe future home for Informs: scoping project recommends Intute. JISC fund 6 month project to transfer Informs to Intute

• Informs at Intute – Launched on 1st May 2007 and registered users more than double

– over 2000 learning objects - tutorials which can be shared and re-used - in our database

• New features implemented so far– New interface, improved help, search, statistics, quiz features

– Developing user community communication tool

Informs at Edge Hill

Using

• Embedded within the module’s units

• Reduced the amount of text on screen

• Increased learner interaction with content

– Repeated use by students on the study

• As ‘chunks’ of scaffolded/supported learning increasing in complexity

Spring Board

Student Feedback (WebCT)

• “wow¬!!!!!!!!!!!! i am in total agreement with those of you who are singing the praises of this course. assignments will hopefully never be the same again. thanks foe the tip re. RDN as it should save any mistakes in using non-relevant material”

• “Oh my word... i cani believe it. how much info is out there? aaggghh its amazing!!! i feel miles more confident looking for info now, which is great. i agree with joanne this really should be available to students b4 they embark on their degree. Like u guys i wish id have had the knowledge back im year 1!!! i am however chuffed that i know now what i didnt know then!!!! HAHAHA ive already found sum stuff i can use for mi next essay which is great!! “

Student feedback 1 year on

• “One of the most vital things that has helped me was using the electronic resources ..”

• “have had positive comments saying im using a wider area of resources”

• “I have seen an increase in my marks this year and I am sure that is due to understanding better where to get resources and show to use them, which the course helped to show”

House Style

Hands-on

• Demo

• Your turn

Contact

Informs Contacts:http://www.informs.intute.ac.uk/contact.html