BUILDING CAPACITY

1. BUILDING CAPACITY FACILITATING PEER SUPPORT AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF Mary Jacob, E-learning Advisor (sunset photos by Paul Bacsich, used with permission)

2. This programme will enhance the application of JISC outputs and outcomes in the Higher Education Sector. The programme will work with senior change agents in HEIs (Pro Vice-Chancellors or equivalent) to create senior management led change in a number of key strategic concerns that are facing that institution. This programme will enhance the application of JISC outputs and outcomes in the Higher Education Sector. The programme will work with senior change agents in HEIs (Pro Vice-Chancellors or equivalent) to create senior management led change in a number of key strategic concerns that are facing that institution.

3. Aims

4. Aims Use JISC outputs to facilitate peer support among academic staff Create an Information Commons Information Commons: a virtual or physical space that is conducive to the effective sharing of ideas and information. Definition from Syberworks Glossary http://www.syberworks.com/glossary/i/i1.htm

5. Why? • Gap in support • Outside of formal training sessions • Outside of PGCTHE or post-PGCTHE • E-learning Benchmarking • Informal ‘coffee culture’ for sharing good practice

6. Project Team Rebecca Davies, Director of Information Services, Pro Vice Chancellor for Services Martin Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor for Quality, Standards, Student Experience Mary Jacob, E-learning Advisor Kate Wright, E-learning Development Officer Andy Greenway, Assistant Paul Bacsich, Sero Consulting and Matic Media

7. Workpackages • Mapped priorities • Literature search • Model for information monitoring • Expanded Nexus • Case studies put on HEA EvidenceNet • Pilot event in Senior Common Room

8. Priorities • Distance learning and e-learning focussing on community building and interaction • E-assessment, feedback, e-submission • FE collaboration with HE • Learning spaces, learning styles, learning environments • Timetabling learning spaces flexibly • Widening participation including digital skills and information skills

10. Virtual information commons • Nexus http://nexus.aber.ac.uk • More resources from the sector, including JISC • More case studies from AU

11. Physical information commons Pilot event 6 December 2010 Showcase good practice in e-learning at AU Showcase JISC outputs Invited speaker Les Watson Give a sample of things we could do in the space Focus group to collect feedback

12. Physical information commons

13. What next? Brown-bag lunch series Consider developing a space Embed information monitoring Continue growth of Nexus Further dissemination of project results

14. Success factors • Project management • Senior management involvement • External support

15. Messages for the sector Break down departmental silos Power of social networking Value of external validation Manage information flow Coordinate efforts with PGCTHE Dedicate staffing Give staff a reason to come into the space

16. Reflection • Both the Virtual and Physical Information Commons projects focussed on breaking down barriers so that good practice does not remain hidden within departments, invisible to the wider community. • The principle of joining up resources so that they are easily discoverable on Nexus mirrors the inter-personal sharing that took place in the pilot event. • It is not a trivial activity for academic staff to share the details of their teaching with a broader audience, but the benefits are great. • We encourage other institutions to make their own good practice more visible in this way.