Deliverables_Explained


 * EXPLANATION of DELIVERABLES / PROCESS: **

One proven way within the PolyU context of initiating change is to utilise internationally renowned experts / as well as consultants to provide substantive, credible and authoritative impetus behind the cultural change. These consultants could incorporate the areas of eLearning, Blended Learning, use of educational technology, eLearning Culture and Change Management. These experts will collaborate within departments, with the Faculty eLearning Advocates and with the wider PolyU community through various dissemination events. This approach will thus ensure the impact, weight and essential engagement with staff associated with the project. > At present PolyU has an established history of incorporating eLearning. For example the OPD, e3L project, PolyU position paper on eLearning and areas identified in the PolyU strategic plan. So acknowledge within the intent to enhance the existing eLearning culture at PolyU is that we are not starting from square one. To-date the establishment of an eLearning culture within PolyU has initially been to support staff in achieving an eLearning cultural change through the support and dissemination of funding for eLearning Projects, as well as consultation, professional development and In-Kind support.
 * 1) Invited international experts in e-Learning to work in Departments and with Faculty e-Learning Advocates.
 * 1) ** Needs Analysis - ** report on current PolyU eLearning practice and identification of the successes and barrier to incorporating eLearning / Blended Learning

As such, it is timely to strategically analyse what are the successes, barriers and needs of our clients in relation to enhancing the engagement of ELearning. An **investigation** will be conducted into PolyU’s existing eLearning practices. This is seen to be an essential first stage of the project in order to accurately identify current practice as well as areas of need / concern specific to the PolyU context and the enhancement of an eLearning culture. This stage is seen to be essential in order to ensure we are meeting the needs of academic staff in relation to incorporating change to the pedagogy and alignment with the provision of appropriate resources. This (e)Learning Map Resource will be used to ADD to the database of **Learning Design Templates** and each template developed will be able to be shared amongst the PolyU community. The (e)Learning Map Resource is a model used to assist staff moving from the theory and wide realm of Blended Learning choices to approaches that suit and are specific to their context. > ** Learning Design Templates (LDT) ** will be developed in order to assist staff in the implement eLearning in a time and pedagogically effective way. Initially the ones proposed are content neutral allowing staff to customize and adapt them to their context. The design of the templates and the areas they encompass will be adapted after reviewing the needs analysis and also will seek to look for common practices across currently funded eLearning projects (such as Video Case Based Learning) These Learning Design Temples will; · group individual WebCT / LMS resources into templates and sequences which situate the tools within a sound pedagogical framework; · promote lecturer understanding of the pedagogical principles underpinning the chosen learning designs; · allow academic staff to select from sequences and templates according to their teaching aims and the context; · allow flexibility within the templates so that suggested resources can be edited, added or deleted; · allow re-use of the templates in order to assist staff to effectively share best practice · allow options for blended learning, by ensuring academic staff have options for carrying out some aspects face-to-face and others online. 1. An evolving community of practice whereby all existing funded project leaders will be invited to participate as well as a wider call to the PolyU community 2. Professional development and many opportunities to foster a community of practice and to collaborate. 3. Trialing a specific eLearning approach within their course using the eLearning Mapping approach (with mentoring and assistance from EDC) 4. Sharing the approach and outcomes within the department and within a possible eLearning symposium held at PolyU 5. Adding their approach to the set of existing Learning Design Templates 6. Mentoring and In Departmental sessions with the invited eLearning Consultants Each Faculty eLearning Advocate will receive professional development / mentoring in the Learning Design approach. The Faculty eLearning Advocates will have access to a __online__ resource to assist them in order to embed their developed understanding of Learning Design (The (e)Learning Mapping Tool); as well as specific approaches (the initial 9 Learning Design Templates). The Faculty eLearning Advocates will also have access to __physical__ resources to support their work within their own subjects and departments and to support them in considering innovative use of technology in their own pedagogy.
 * 1) (e)Learning Mapping online resource
 * An (e)Learning Mapping Resource (ELM);** will be developed to assist staff in engaging with and implementing Blended Learning. This involves creating alignment between **learning activities** (e.g. reading and reflection, quizzes, discussion, problem solving, peer support, guided writing etc…), **content types** (e.g. theories and concepts, case studies, tips, rich descriptors etc…) **content delivery** (e.g. print media, video and audio, on-line environments etc…) and **learning outcomes** (as determined by the course and unit outlines). Some sites are indicated here to illustrate the sort of Flash Development we are aiming for - REFER to http://www.mindomo.com/ ; http://www.bubbl.us/ and http://www.gliffy.com/
 * 1) Learning Design Templates
 * 1) Establish Faculty e-Learning Advocates
 * The role of Faculty eLearning Advocates** will also be established. The initial goal will be to support staff with a demonstrated interest in e-learning (as advocates) to develop useful e-learning tools and activities for their own students which can then be shared more widely with PolyU teachers. This role will incorporate;

Specific input from invited eLearning experts (the invited eLearning speakers) and the opportunity to disseminate their approach and findings suitable to their context to a wider audience (through the symposium) is also seen to be beneficial to enhancing the eLearning culture at PolyU. Faculty eLearning Advocates will also be supported and encouraged to disseminate their work to as wide an audience as possible thorough publication and presentation

At present the following staff have expressed interest in this project and the Faculty eLearning Advocate role (refer Appendix 2). It should be noted that additional partnerships will be explored with ITS and the Library as well as __other staff__ through an open call for expressions of interest: (It is suggested that 16 eLearning Faculty Advocates will be the maximum number involved, 2 per faculty/school and if the expression of interest is oversubscribed then we would ask the associated Dean / Head of Department to nominate staff).

NOTE: The next 3 deliverables fall within an umbrella concept of Dissemination / Advocacy of the project. These will involve the following; > Various means will be used throughout the project to disseminate and **promote** the project to as wide an audience as possible. An essential aspect of cultural change is to ‘make some noise / create some energy’ about the process and benefits. And then at the end of the project share the results with as wide an audience as possible in order to enhance PolyU’s reputation for educational excellence. It is expected that these events will also challenge the assumptions about eLearning, raise the profile of eLearning / Blended Learning in relation to benefits..etc and celebrate, reward good practice.
 * 1) Teaching and Learning Innovation Annual Award, including eLearning Showcase;
 * 2) Symposium to share PolyU best eLearning practices;
 * 3) Dissemination / Advocacy of project impact and ongoing, evolving outcomes of the project through various means such as high level, high impact events in departments and also within the wider PolyU community in order to provide a driving force and high level profile.

Evaluation of the project Evaluation methods will be used to assess the **impact** of the project in enhancing the eLearning culture within PolyU. These will be ongoing during the project and presented for final consideration. The services of the EDC Evaluation Officer will also be utilized.