Learning Technologies for loan

Over the last two years we have built up a number of learning technologies that staff and students can borrow. These include netbooks, flip cameras, pocket projectors, voice recorders, Mp3 players, headphones and video cameras. We also have student response / voting systems for use with the interactive whiteboards. We acquired some of the netbooks, projectors and flip cameras through participating in the Becta Technology Exemplar Network. The most popular items are the flip cameras which are always in demand by curriculum staff for use with students.
We started off just having signing out sheets for the equipment and then moved to a spreadsheet but recently created a booking database which gives us more functionality including reports of usage. We are continually updating and adding to our stock and have purchased some iPhone Touchs and some Kindles for use from September.
We, the Learning Resources dept, offer support and training in using the equipment and deliver e-Learning sessions incorporating use of technologies. The only negative aspect is that teaching staff sometimes 'forget' to bring the equipment back and we have to chase them up.
To advertise the technologies that are available we use a variety of methods including posters and infographics.

Recycling display in LRC

We have a rolling programme of displays in our LRC which are changed and updated frequently.
They are often related to a topical theme or a relevant date.
At the moment we have a Recycling display.

cpd23 - Thing1

I read about cpd23 and thought that I would like to take part and then a colleague recommended it too so I thought I'd better get on with it. I have a few blogs that I write - this is my main one 'Managing a Learning Resources Dept'. I'm a keen microblogger too and use Twitter a lot @clairedonlan.
My job is Head of Learning Resources at Middlesbrough College - the Learning Resources Dept is library services and e-Learning.
I'm interested in taking part in the activities for cpd23 and looking at other peoples blogs.
I'm not so good at following a prescriptive schedule for blogging or other such activities as i tend to use blogging as and when I want to comment or reflect on an idea or activity.
I'm going to try and see how it goes

ID cards

Student ID cards are issued to all students on enrolment. It has generally been expected and accepted that students should carry their ID cards while in College. Over the last year there have been many discussions as to whether the wearing of lanyards with ID cards should be mandatory or not. This has been influenced by the idea that in general for security and safeguarding purposes, it is useful to be able to identify current students as opposed to visitors or members of the public.
Students need to have their ID cards to access the LRC by 'swiping' through the turnstiles. This has been a really successful way of managing the access to the space and also enables us to monitor usage and deploy resources. Students are generally amenable and
co-operative about bringing their cards and using them in the LRC. The ID card is used as their library card too in order to use PCs and borrow books.
Last week the matter of student ID cards was again raised by senior management and the idea that they could have their cards with them but not have to wear a lanyard. There is also a development taking place that will mean that the cards become more of a smartcard with the ability to be used as payment for food and printing.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Student Council meeting

Today I attended the student council meeting.  They are held once a term and involve student reps from the different departments.  There are student council meetings held locally within departments and then representatives attend the whole college meeting.  The meetings are well attended by the students and the Principal of the college attends which means that it is a good opportunity for learners to have their views heard by the 'most important person'.  I attend in order to listen to the views of the students as it is important to know what is going on in general across the college at 'ground level' and also to answer any concerns about the LRC and e-learning / VLE.

Mobile Apps for Learning

Our project for using Mobile Apps for Learning / Education is continuing and we are making some progress.
I started the project a few weeks (months?) ago with the idea of looking at existing Apps that are out there and to see how they would be useful.
The project then developed to focus on three areas

1. to look at existing Apps that learners could download to their own devices 
2. to look at getting devices e.g. iPod Touchs or iPads, downloading Apps to them and lending them to learners
3. to look at developing a College App

For 1. I researched what was available and came up with a short list which I asked various staff, e-Learning and teaching staff to try out to see whether they are suitable.

For 2. The new iPod Touch was a breakthrough as I am convinced that you need to have a camera to collect evidence so that you can edit and share it - collaborative learning.  We have two iPod Touchs with Apps installed to test by users.  Also a capital bid submitted for some iPads but I'm not sure if this will lead to anything.

For 3. We asked students whether they would like a College App - the overall response was yes.  They wanted the usual components  - alerts, notifications, news, maps, images etc. and also to be able to access the library resources and their VLE courses.  We use Blackboard as our VLE so our e-Learning Manager and e-Learning Technologist researched and investigated the Blackboard Mobile option.  This would give us some general College specific sub-Apps plus access to Blackboard Courses.

To find out from students what they think about these developments, we created a display in the LRC two weeks ago.

(many thanks to our LRC Assistant Apprentice who has been brilliant in creating a fantastic display from my ideas and random scribbles!).

The idea was that we wanted to know which general Apps students liked, what they thought should be included in a College App and also to give them information about what a Blackboard App would look like.

This is the display 

Students can write on the display in the Like and Dislike grids.
We also produced some cards for students to fill in.

I asked approx 80 students in one morning to give their views on the display and fill in cards.
Most were really positive and interested.  The cards have been available since so I'm hoping that they will give us a good indication of what students would like including in an App.
The plan is that we will have something available for September.

Use of microblogging by librarians / information professionals

I am doing some research into the use of microblogging by librarians and information professionals.
I have created a survey using survey monkey and distributed it by direct message to some of my followers on twitter.  There has been a very good response but if you haven't filled it in yet and would like to then here is the link. It only takes 5 mins and your responses would be appreciated.  Thanks.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H9LDFD3