Benchmarking TEL - is it possible?

I am travelling to RSC Eastern to discuss with Catherine and Malcolm the resources available to survey CI in respect of awareness of TEL and the skill set of academic staff. Catherine has provided a lot of support already in terms of Survey Monkey questions previously used by colleges. This may give me the opportunity to benchmark as long as I only add to the questions (qualitative) rather than alter the meaning of the survey questions.

It is hard to stay focused on one thing at a time (so many opportunities available to move TEL forwards) - hopefully if I get a small team in the fullness of time I will be able to move TEL and help CI achieve Outstanding at the next Ofsted inspection.

Are Reflection Diaries/Journals the is key to moving forwards?

As this role becomes more focused I believe it has been helped by taking a couple of minutes a day to write up my current progress. Moving my thoughts (and feelings) to text ensure that I think reasonably deeply before pressing 'PUBLISH POST".

I wonder whether other CI staff would also find a reflective diary/journal good use of a couple of minutes aday. In addition, if an extra couple of minutes could be found to check out other colleagues reflective work based blogs and comment as necessary... what a network of reflective practice it would be.

Heres a question: Would video or audio be easier to record a persons thought (Big Brother style?) rather than just text?

I am starting to recognise just how big...

This is going to be a quick blog as while I have been settling down in my new role I have come to realise just how big my role is. Step one... I need to get my TLCs identified and obtain agreement for them to have some time support. Step two... need to produce my eCPD framework to identify how to take TEL forwards. Step three... Benchmarking where we are needs to be completed soon to identify where to focus the effort and identify any progress made.

I need to put all my other work at arms length (but not forgotten).

Reflection on the TEL and TLC email

After further reflection and discussion of the proposed email, I have decided that the email was useful in setting the scene. I will use the tenet of the email as the basis of my discussion with the HoCs. So I will now contact them individually to arrange a meeting to discuss TEL and TLCs face-to-face.

I just need to identify whether there will be any time resource available for the TLCs' from each centre.

HE in FE and email signature

It is amazing when thoughts go to cultural change... I have left off HE Operations (the department I work for) on my email signature as I fear that FE areas of college may present barriers to any requests or views on Technology Enhanced Technology I may make. Is it just me or do I need to be careful about my identity (whether more HE than FE?) when trying to encourage change in a mixed HE and FE 'community' college?

QR Codes

After researching QR Codes I have generated my own using the website... http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ I have included a smaller version at the bottom of my email with the hope that colleagues will start to ask me what it is.

My email signature now reads...
Paul Jennings
Curriculum Manager - TEL
01206 712118
07948255841
www.colchester.ac.uk
paul.jennings@colchester.ac.uk
www.twitter.com/paulfloss
http://tel-paulfloss.blogspot.com/
P Before printing, please think about the environment

Email to explain TEL and TLC

I have just finished my draft of the email I intend to send to each Head of Centre outlining what Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is and also the need for Technology Learning Coaches (TLC). I hope I hope it is not too academic (for an email) but I want to ensure that the right acadmic environment is maintained (to encourage participation).

I will look at it again this afternoon after refleting for a while.

Digital Wisdom

My new role is already becoming busy... excellent. I am working on my first technology enhance learning session (using video in assessment). I think I will call the TEL sessions DIGITAL WISDOM after Mark Prensky's view that digital technology can make us not just smarter but truly wiser.

Moodle Moot

Reflecting on yesterday's sessions at the Moodle Moot I have come to realise that Moodle is becoming mature. Not just because the high number of users, but mainly the advances in the framework. The intention to use themes similar to how Drupal use them is a major plus. Eventually there should be no need to touch the core coding and therefore upgrading should be easier. There is still a debate of how closely it should be connected to a MIS - but this still revolves around the integrity of the data and the reliability of internal systems (weak points in reliability?).

It is interesting to note that the same challenges are present for all organisations in embedding a VLE into education. There needs to be strong communication conduits to ensure everyone understands the boundarie and more importantly the advantages of a VLE. The old issue of tutors sharing resources raised it's head again.

Getting to grips with new role

My new role is already busy. I am contacting colleagues to offer support for their blended/distance learning needs. I am off to Moodle Moot tomorrow and Wednesday so I'll report back then. In the meantime I will continue to read the handbook of emerging technologies.