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Explore using a VLE for effective staff induction, covering issues, benefits, tools, and recommendations for successful implementation and continuous improvement. Learn from a case study at Birmingham City University.
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‘Moodling in’:Using a virtual learning environment to deliver staff induction An interactive workshop presented by Andrea Lambon Assistant Director, Library and Learning Resources Birmingham City University
About us: • Birmingham City University – 23,000 students • Library and Learning Resources – 170 staff in 8 libraries and Learning Resource Centres
What we are going to cover in this session: • consider what issues need to be addressed • examine how a VLE can be used to host a staff induction programme • evaluate the suitability of a VLE to deliver staff induction • list recommendations based on lessons learnt
What we wanted to achieve: • to make induction a positive experience • to make the programme relevant, manageable and engaging • to be able to assess learning • to provide a tool for consistent delivery • to give time for learning and reflection
Activity • Think about your induction process and identify any issues you need to address
Issues we needed to resolve: • Paper based • daunting • line manager reliant • inconsistent delivery • instruction rather than engagement • little assessment of learning • no consideration given to how people learn Activity: Pick one of these issues and say how you would go about solving it
Produced a series of checklists to guide line mangers and inductees through the programme
Host the documentation, written assessments and activities including video clips and scenarios
Employed Course Genie to provide a different interface for supporting information
Activity What other modern technologies could be used? and How can we employ them?
Evaluation of a VLE to deliver staff induction: Feedback from one new member of staff: ‘The Moodle platform is ideal for staff induction with facilities for expanding and including links to further useful material it should be exploited to the full’
What a VLE offers: • allows information to be presented in a variety of formats • provides the facility for engagement and assessment • tailored programmes as line managers can dictate the priorities and modules they want their staff to undertake • enables the line manger to assess learning and understanding • self paced learning for the inductee • a reference tool that can be referred back to
What a VLE can’t do: • replace the human touch • Line managers now spend time in feeding back rather than instructing • Buddying introduced to provide informal support • Still plenty of ‘on the job’ training required • Work Journals to record reflective learning
List of recommendations based on lessons learnt: • A VLE should be used as part of a blended approach to learning • begin by reviewing your current process • choose the right format for you • agree the structure of the programme prior to commencing work on the VLE • make as interactive and engaging as possible using a variety of formats to maintain interest • try to ensure that you have a good level of technical skills and abilities in your team prior to setting up the VLE
List of recommendations based on lessons learnt: • be prepared to create your own materials including video clips and photos • set aside time to develop the VLE • engage with your line managers as they will be the ones delivering the programme • get a basic programme in place and then add to it. It will never be finished and will constantly need updating!
Plans for the future: • Continue to develop modules • add further assessments and activities to increase interaction • include more innovative delivery i.e. Podcasts, training videos • introduce ePortfolios to record learning and development • set up a staff induction blog to the wider library community • look at how Moodle can be employed to support staff training in general • monitor, evaluate and review.
Any questions? • andrea.lambon@bcu.ac.uk