Introduction

1. LEARNING FORUM A blank canvas: next steps with the new VLE Introduction - About the new VLE - Key features - Timescales and availability - Support, migration and training Dr John Couperthwaite, Operations Manager (Educational Technology)

2. Why Change ? Why Change ? (1) "The certainties of the past are no longer certainties. The models of higher education that marched triumphantly across the globe in the second half of the 20th Century are broken," write the report authors, Sir Michael Barber, Katelyn Donnelly and Saad Rizvi. "Just as globalisation and technology have transformed other huge sectors of the economy in the past 20 years, in the next 20 years universities face transformation." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21670959 “Quality higher education, open to all that combines learning through doing and social interactions with world-class storytelling from renowned institutions. It can be accessed any time and anywhere; it aggregates the best online learning materials; it uses the presence of a massive number of learners and the data they produce in innovative ways to improve learning; it challenges and rewards learners and celebrates small steps of progress and the big achievements.” FutureLearn, 2013

3. Why Change ? Why Change ? (2) “If we succeed in blending this ever-richer range of teaching and learning opprotunties, and do so in a learning environment which locally and globally remains committed to the highest quality, there will never have been a better time or a better place to be a university lecturer.”

4. Personalised access to core course tools WebCT style toolbar with tool links activated if available Canvas Screen A list of recently updated files and course tools Fully editable page with simple tools to add links to additional pages, tools and other courses Toggle between Admin / Teacher and Student modes

5. Key Features Key Features LEARNING • Easy page authoring • Rapid content linking • Integration with Creative Commons • Integration with social media COMMUNICATION • Recent activity dashboard • Personalised Web2.0 alerts • Mobile website and app • Collaborative working tool ASSESSMENT • Custom rubrics • Rapid marking and feedback • Full integration with all tools • Analytics dashboard COURSE MANAGEMENT • To do lists • Fully integrated Syllabus tool • Learning Outcomes • Group sign up pages

6. Key differences ·         its openness (files uploaded are available to students by default; courses can be made available to the public) ·         ease of use (interface is not limited to standard form controls) ·         rich content editor’s integrated multimedia features (Kaltura built in to stream uploaded video; staff and students can record audio/video on the fly) ·         Web 2.0 features (students can receive notifications in other social media sites) ·         integrated assessments and Speed-Grader (for rapid online marking and feedback ·         Instructure’s agile development cycle (updates every two weeks)

7. Anatomy of WebCT The Anatomy of a WebCT Section Pages as FOLDERS Text as HEADERS and FOOTERS Resources as ASSETS in FOLDERS module module module module module

8. Anatomy of Canvas The Anatomy of a Canvas Course Pages as PAGES No FOLDERS RESOURCES embedded in pages

9. Planned Roadmap Planned Roadmap

10. What can you do now ? + Q & A What can you do now ? 1. Review your WebCT site: engagement with students; structure; and resources; 2. Sign up for a demo, http://www.instructure.com/; 3. Speak to myself, Peter Rainger or Dalbir Kang; 4. Consider if other teaching and other support staff will need training; 5. Review whether WebCT content will require migrating; 6. Consider whether releasing to your students in Sept 2013 is possible 7. …watch the demo…