Portsmouth Business SchooleLearning Team

PBS Learning NewsAchieving the right blend!

The eTeam has landed - again!As the new academic year approaches, the usual frenzy of preparation and photocopying will no doubt take place. The PBS eTeam has already been involved in creating or assisting the creation of many Victory sites that will support your taught units or courses.

If you need help with using Victory or different types of media in your teaching, you now don’t have to wander far from the Richmond print room to find eLearning assistance - because the eTeam has just moved in next door to it!

Rachel and Mandy are ready to answer your questions in the new eTeam Drop In Centre, room RB1.07. They have been joined by Anthony Harrison, who can help you in creating video productions, either starring you, or your students themselves!

112

Email the eTeam! rachel.short@port.ac.ukmandy.mccartney@port.ac.uketeam@port.ac.uk

Issue 6 – Summer 2009

Anthony will be spending some time at his desk on Floor 1. The rest of the time he will make use of an edit suite at the University’s TV Studio, located in ‘The Rotunda’.

The eTeam Drop In Centre will offer you facilities to learn how to use Wimba Classroom using a PC and headset, so that you can experience a virtual classroom session alongside an eTeam coach.

Floor 1 is now a one stop shop for both eLearning and IT help.

The DCQE eLearning Centre

Workshop Programme & Useful Links

The Autumn DCQE Training Events Programme

Drop in on DCQE!

DCQE recently moved to the same traffic island as the city Land Registry. It is housed in Unit 3, St. Andrews Court.

DCQE eLearning staff are providing drop in sessions open to any member of staff. The availability of these are defined on the DCQE website – see the link on page two of this leaflet.

Why not seek them out: ‘X’ marks the spot!

X

2

What Can We Help You With Today?

David Starkey: PBS eLearning CoordinatorSince Issue 5, the eTeam has undergone a few changes, so it is probably useful to define the sources of help and information available to PBS colleagues from an online learning standpoint.Rachel Short has been promoted to Educational Technologist, and will functionally direct our new Online Course Developer (Mandy McCartney) and Media Producer (Anthony Harrison).The more accessible eTeam Drop-In Centre should make online learning more accessible to colleagues and students alike.

Report of the PBS eLearning Coordinator

Sourcing Advice, Help and News regarding ‘Online Learning’

1. The PBS eTeam Site on Staff Essentials:

The link to these pages of the university website is:

www.port.ac.uk/staffessentials/departments/faculties/businessschool/PBSE-learning/

2. The DCQE eLearning Centre Website:

www.port.ac.uk/departments/services/dcqe/elearningcentre/

3. The ‘eTeam News’ Twitter Site:

www.twitter.com/eteamnews

4. The eTeam ‘Pedagogic’ Discussion Twitter Site:

www.twitter.com/pedagogic

5. The PBS eTeam Email Address to request Training, Help or Information:

eteam@port.ac.uk

6. The Victory Demo Site (which is used to demo Wimba Classroom)

https://victory.port.ac.uk/webct/logon/126530317041

Learning Software supported by the PBS eTeam

Packages from the firms below, QuestionMark Perception, & Xerte, will be supported.

How To Apply Media in Teaching (2)

Applying eLearning in Practice (contd.)

11

D) I want to ‘Enhance my Victory Site’

Contact eteam@port.ac.uk to discuss the options available. These might include:

1. Using the ‘Tab and Menu’ PowerPoint Template

A PowerPoint template is available which has tabs along the top and a menu down the left side that permit lectures to be much more easily navigated than is the case with inexorable A – Z slide progressions that can be the hallmark of dry and boring lectures.

2. Using Wimba Create

Wimba Create can take text and image pages created in Microsoft Word and produce them out to web pages with colourful section headings and backgrounds, and with a menu structure that can replace the fairly unattractive Victory hyperlink sub-menus. Contact the eTeam about how to use Wimba Create yourself, or have them use it on your behalf to populate your Victory site with created web pages.

3. Using Video and Audio

You can choose to shoot and edit video or audio files yourself, using faculty or your own equipment. This can be compressed and uploaded to the streaming servers, and then linked to from a hyperlink on a site page (preferred), or embedded in a site page using embed code. Contact the eTeam for help writing or finding embed code.

Note: The use of PowerPoint to record audio directly into PowerPoint slides (in MP3, or worse, WAV format), is not recommended. It creates large files that don’t download in a reasonable timescale. Students won’t read ‘em – and you’ll weep!

E) I want to ‘Create Learning Objects’

The eTeam is introducing the ‘Xerte’ learning object authoring tool within PBS to make very attractive Flash learning packages, some of which were described in Issue 5 of PBS Learning News. To see a typical learning object created with Xerte Toolkits, follow the link http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/toolkits/play_560.

You can also create a Flash-based media driven package of screen recordings using Camtasia Studio and Camtasia Theatre. Contact eteam@port.ac.uk to arrange specific training on screencasting using Camtasia and using the laptops on which it is installed.

Finally, you could use Adobe Captivate, Flash, and/or Presenter to produce objects offering sophisticated multimedia quizzing and assessment, including watch-demo-try functionality. Captivate 4 was recently released. The eTeam can help you here too.

A) I want help ‘Building a Victory Site’

Contact eteam@port.ac.uk to book a training session with an eTeam developer. Different levels of training are available, dependent on your needs and skill level.

B) I want to ‘Record a Podcast’

You can record a podcast in a variety of ways.

1. Using Wimba Voice Tools

You can use the Wimba Voice Tools package that can be embedded in your Victory site to embed an audio message directly into your Victory site, or upload a podcast to iTunes or other RSS feed reader .

2. Using a Faculty Laptop, Camtasia Studio Software, and a Headset

You can use one of the multimedia laptops available from the IT helpdesk to record a video and/or audio file in TechSmith Camtasia Studio, and then upload it to the streaming server in WMV format (or soon, in Flash format).

3. Using the Faculty Podcaster Microphone Kits

Contact the Richmond IT Helpdesk to book out the kits that include Rode Podcaster USB connectable microphone, stand, headphones and Audacity software. You can se the hardware with Audacity on your office PC – find Audacity in the Utilities menu.

4. Using a Portable Sound Recorder

Two MP3 recorders area available from the Richmond IT Helpdesk. They record direct to MP3, and can be used standalone, or taking input from an external wireless microphone transmitted and receiver. This combination is useful if you want to record a seminar or tutorial, and make it available through Victory later. It can also be used to record staff research seminars where recording the video too is not needed/advisable.

C) I want to ‘Record Student Presentations’

You can use a sound recorder or video camera for this purpose. To make sure you know how to use the equipment, or to have a session recorded for you, contact the eteam@port.ac.uk and the right person will contact you. If you want a video to be both made and edited for you, Anthony Harrison will contact you to survey your needs using an eTeam form designed to ensure everyone knows who is responsible for doing what and when. He can also advise on what is do-able, and what is inadvisable!

How To Apply Media in Learning (1)

7

http://www.twitter.com/eteamnews

310 3

New eTeam Services Available

Report of the PBS Educational TechnologistApplying eLearning in Practice

Rachel Short: Educational TechnologistOver the summer period, the team have delivered a further 20 staff training sessions in the use of our VLE. We continue to be available for PBS eLearning training in the following applications: Victory 1-4, Microsoft PowerPoint, Wimba Create, Wimba Voice Tools, Wimba Classroom, Camtasia Studio, Camtasia Relay, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Captivate, Adobe Presenter and the ‘Use of Video in Teaching.’ To book onto one of these 1-2-1 sessions, or for an informal discussion, please contact: eteam@port.ac.uk. We’ll call you back.

Wimba Create and Xerte

One of our key drivers is the promotion of Wimba Create which is a tool for creating and categorising content independent from Victory similar to the layout of a website that can then be imported to your VLE course. The eTeam can build your course content based on the unit materials or you can choose to attend one of our training sessions and then use the software to create your own individual template. More information and resources can be found at the following URL: www.wimba.com.

Another area that we are keen to explore is Xerte. This open-source piece of software is approved by JISC and the HEA. It has been used predominantly at the University of Nottingham and received a significant amount of funding to be established as an innovative way to compile content similar to a website, but with no programming knowledge required. Our resident expert for creating your course content using Xerte is Anthony Harrison. In the first instance, please contact the eTeam: eteam@port.ac.uk. For additional information: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/.

Induction Talks and Partner Contacts

This year we have been able to support three postgraduate courses with presentations in the use of our VLE, in the run up to induction week. The eTeam will deliver a series of workshops to new students on all programmes within PBS as these are requested. If you feel this will be beneficial to your course, please send your request: eteam@port.ac.uk. In an effort to retain greater links with our partners, the e-team will also be extending its services to the students and staff at all of our partner institutions. If you are aware of cohorts of students and specific members of staff that this could be of particular benefit to, please let us know as soon as possible: eteam@port.ac.uk.

Media Spotlight: Video in Teaching and Course Promotion

94

Report of the PBS Educational Technologist (contd.)

New eTeam Drop-In Centre: RB1.07

Careers in Law: Charlotte Harrison

PBS Student Placements: Level 3 (Post Placement)

Student on Placement: (Between Level 2 and Level 3)

Recent eTeam Video Productions

Relocation, relocation

The eTeam moved back to Richmond Building on the 4th September 2009. The purpose of this was to make the team more accessible to students and staff within the Business School. We will be able to provide greater face-to-face support, and demonstrations about topics such as: ‘How to use Wimba Live Classroom’, ‘Getting the most from PowerPoint’ and ‘Developing a site with Wimba Create’. We will be located in RB1.07. If you have any queries relating to our VLE, e-learning, blended learning or the principles of pedagogy within HE, please feel free to drop in, or send your query to: eteam@port.ac.uk.

Victory in 2009/2010

In preparation for the academic session 2009/2010, the eTeam have been progressing the creation and development of a number of unit sites and course portals within Victory. The deadline for the request of all new sites is the 4th September 2009. If you are responsible for a unit, please ensure that you have an 09 version that has been formatted prior to the start of the semester. For course portals, if you wish the site to be clear of all the students from previous sessions, please request a migration of the site to an 09 version by sending an email to: elearn@port.ac.uk.Turnitin and e-Portfolio

The IS maintenance window for the security patch and installation of Turnitin occurred on the 14th August 2009. A new University policy in the use of the chosen anti-plagiarism/ plagiarism detection software is currently being finalised. Staff can access Turnitin at the following URL: www.submit.ac.uk. This will change for the academic session 09/10 and there will be a ‘Power Link’ in Victory instead of the direct URL. Consequently, some of the screens will appear differently to what staff are used to.

The e-portfolio is an online version of a physical portfolio. It enables staff and students to collate information relating to CPD, conference notes/ funding bids, reflections and thoughts, podcasts and associated notes. It is particularly useful for combining your CV, appraisal documents and links to evidence websites. The e-portfolio is password protected and the participant is able to send a link for their portfolio to colleagues, prospective employers and partner institutions. To contribute in the trial of e-portfolio with your students, please send your request to elearn@port.ac.uk. This will appear as the third tab on your ‘MyVictory’ homepage. If you have any queries or concerns relating to the use of Turnitin or the e-portfolio please email: eteam@port.ac.uk.

PBS eTeam Video Productions

Please feel free to ask about making video productions with the PBS eTeam…

5

Mandy McCartney: Online Course Developer

Victory Training

Victory training has become a popular past time, with many staff arranging refresher sessions. Mandy has enjoyed meeting new staff, who have been keen to get started using Victory, and who are progressing well with their Victory sites. If you want a refresher session, or help in enhancing your own site, contact us via eteam@port.ac.uk to book an appointment. Alternatively, pop in and see us in our new office next to the staff print room on Richmond Floor 1 (RB1.07).

Report of the PBS Online Course Developer

Anthony Harrison: PBS Media Producer

8

Report of the PBS Media Producer

Victory Matters

When Mandy joined the eTeam her main task was to continue the push to achieve a Victory presence for all units by September 2010. The eTeam had achieved the first milestone of having all Level 1 and Level M sites with a Victory presence slightly ahead of target.

We now expect to reach a 100% Victory VLE presence for existing units by the end of 2009. As we are approaching the presence target, site enrichment (and maintenance) will become our main focus, alongside staff training.

Benefits of using Victory

A VLE can be used to provide access to lecture materials, pdfs, videos, podcasts, discussion boards, email, announcements, assessments and individual student portfolios. Victory can be used for more than this by creating a Wimba Classroom for a unit, where on and off campus students can be taught at the same time. For more details, please contact the eTeam at eteam@port.ac.uk.

Working with Departments

We are currently working with the School of Law, updating their Victory presence and compiling course portals for them. Department staff audited their units, and provided us with an updated list to work on. This enabled Mandy to ensure all units have an Victory presence before the start of the new term, including sites for new units. At the request of the Postgraduate Centre she created a new ‘Postgraduate Centre General Administration for Students’ Victory site. The Postgraduate Centre is keen to engage students with Victory from induction, with this site available from September. It will provide general information about key dates, FAQ’s, ‘how to’ guides and other generally requested information related to postgraduate enrolment.

Anthony Harrison has joined the eTeam from DCQE as Faculty Media Producer. Anthony, already known widely as ‘Ant’, has been responsible for some of the videos shot and edited to show what is involved with doing a placement, and what is involved in both law and accounting careers. Several of these now feature on the university’s ‘Play’ media player on the UoP website home page. Ant has a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Technology from the University of Portsmouth, and has been based in the Rotunda in recent months.

If you want to be provide video feedback to students, or need a more complex production involving both interviews and cutaway footage, then Ant can arrange it for you. If you want to talk to him about what you have in mind, or need to book time in the Rotunda TV Studio, please email eteam@port.ac.uk in the first instance, and describe what you have in mind.

Ant can operate the faculty Sony PMW-EX1 broadcast quality camera, is becoming a skilled video editor, can distribute footage to the streaming server, or produce DVDs or Blu-ray disks of productions for you.

He can advise you about how to make a good production, what the editing phase will involve, and what he will require of you to ensure the production can go ahead without waiting for missing information to be provided – which is inefficient. Ant can also record assessed presentations for you. Email eteam@port.ac.uk to request a shoot, providing unit name and number, venue, time and date. We’ll book you a slot!

PBS will soon have quite a range of media creation hardware and software available to colleagues, all bookable from the Richmond IT Helpdesk on Floor 1. This includes laptops featuring video editing and screencasting/podcasting software, and an eSata port for connection of fast external editing hard drives, (also available). Eight video cameras that record to either internal hard drive or SDHC memory card are available.

If you want to ask your students to create assessed video documentaries, then Ant can provide instruction to small groups in using our video cameras and laptops so that a good quality production results. However, he will need reasonable advance warning of this requirement, which will typically involve notification to eteam@port.ac.uk of the need during the semester prior to the sessions being delivered as a minimum.

Get Help Using Media in Teaching

76

Report of the PBS Online Course Developer (contd.)

Wimba Collaboration Suite The Wimba Classroom Interface

Technology Spotlight: Wimba Classroom

Wimba Create

This is a tool that will help you to take text and pictures in Word and efficiently transform them into course content. From one word document you can generate a set of web pages including navigation and embedded hyperlinks. Wimba products are described on the eTeam ‘Staff Essentials’ website, with links to recent DCQE ‘how to’ screen recordings etc.

Wimba Voice Tools

This suite of audio tools supports vocal bulletin boards, voice-based emails, the simple creation of podcasts using a headset, and the embedding of tutor messages for a class in vocal form. Why not borrow a headset from Richmond’s IT Help Desk and try it out?

Wimba Classroom

This is a live, virtual classroom environment, with robust features that include audio, video, application sharing, content display and playlist, which can be configured and launched from within Victory. Its a very effective addition to your teaching, especially if you have distance learners. Its intuitive interface and ease-of-use ensure that educators and students engage as if they were meeting in one room.

The eTeam also has a demo Victory site with a presentation in Wimba. We aim to use this to show colleagues on a one to one basis what can be achieved in Victory with Wimba, with a new focus on the development of work-based learning courses.

Wimba Collaboration Suite

The eTeam can now offer training in the Wimba Collaboration Suite. If you are new to this, please talk to the eTeam about how it can enhance your teaching within Victory. It comprises three main tools. Note: Wimba ‘Pronto’ is not in use at the UoP.

Open a Web Page, use the Whiteboarding Tools, or Share an Application

Start or Stop Archiving (to record or make available to students later)

Play list for slides turned into images in the Content Area

Chat Rooms for Instant Messaging

Classroom participants, their status and means of attendance

An image or logo that is appropriate for the course or unit

Whiteboarding Tools

The Features of a Typical Wimba Classroom

The Content Area