VUMA!

1. VUMA! FROM INFANCY TO ADOLESCENCE: STATUS OF THE VUMA! PROJECT UNISA Library Research Seminar Friday 27 October 2006 www.vuma.ac.za Anke McCallum

2. VUMA! – LIFT OFF?? • Not ready to launch

3. HISTORY OF VUMA! • VUMA! developed out of early FOTIM initiatives in areas of learning solutions & telecentres • To enable member institutions improve levels of service to students • Pilot Telecentre – put on hold indefinitely • Virtual Education Site – supported by FOTIM Board

4. HISTORY OF VUMA! cont Objective : • to broaden access to higher education programmes • through a virtual site or portal • Available to any student from any FOTIM member institution • Providing access to a wide range of electronic services. • Site would allow students to customise the service to suit their own needs

5. YOUNG VUMA!

6. YOUNG VUMA!

7. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE • FOTIM Exco and Board • VUMA! Governing Board • Task Teams • Project Manager • Web Master • External consultants • Administrative support

8. VUMA! NAMED VUMA named by Grade 12 learners

9. WHAT IS VUMA! ? A sophisticated website with some portal functionality, hosted on FOTIM server, accessed via Internet, providing & managing access to variety of services : - Links to relevant sites in public domain - Materials purchased by FOTIM - Materials made available by institutions e.g. life skills, study skills - Other appropriate materials

10. WHAT IS VUMA! ?

11. VIRTUAL TRAINING EXPERT

12. INTENDED CONTENT • Info on FOTIM institutions • Practical advice on applying for loans, compiling CVs, portfolios etc. • Life skills – stress, depression, HIV/AIDS, sexual harassment • Computer & Information literacy • Writing & study skills, exam skills • Typical exam questions, model answers • Many more…

13. VUMA!’S PLACE ON CAMPUS • Not intended to duplicate services provided by institutions • “Added value” • Although intended to befun, aim is primarily academic and support • Will target entry level learners initially • Develop into a site for all

14. VUMA!’S PLACE ON CAMPUS Campus Commons (SRC,Health,Sport,Learner Support) INFORMALLEARNING GOALS Research Commons (Library, etc) VUMA! University Community Knowledge/Information Commons (Library etc) FORMAL LEARNING GOALS Learning Commons (Web CT, etc)

15. UNDERSTANDING THE NET GENERATION • Net Generation- born 1980s + • Also called the Millennial Learner” • Life experiences that shapetoday’s learner are quite different • Research shows: the younger the age group, the higher the percentage that use Internet for school, work & social

16. LEARNING PREFERENCES • Digitally literate • Immediate & multi-tasking • Thrive on hands-on learning • Social networking, mobile & connected • Prefer to learn & work in teams • Oriented to inductive learning & crave interactivity • Thrive in image-rich environments • Mention Google more than going to the library

17. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY! • It’s always been there for the Net Generation • They care about the activity technology enables, not technology per se • Technology is invisible & intuitive – they multi-task, expect 24/7 access to information with zero tolerance for delays • VUMA! niche – “Guide on the Side” – guide, support & supplement formal learning

18. IMPLEMENTATION • Various challenges facing us • Under pressure to implement a.s.a.p. • Site requires new design – pilot site not really “student friendly” • Urgent need for content • Urgent need to market to learners on campuses

19. SUPPORT We need the support and cooperation of our institutions - senior management - computer centres - faculties - academic staff - SRCs - learners

20. WHERE TO NOW? • Appoint a Service Provider • Design and Implementation of Beta Version, Sourcing of Content, Assessment, Maintenance & Technical Support • Marketing of Site to Studentson Campuses • Launch during 2007??

21. THANK YOU Anke McCallum Programme Manager FOTIM Tel : 011 318 2848 Email : anke@fotim.ac.za www.vuma.ac.za

22. QUESTIONS? www.vuma.ac.za