BNE workshops on blended learning

Last week the first of a series of 5 workshops (26 staff in total) were done with the School of the Built and Natural Environment (BNE) to help staff develop their modules for the blended learning Degree in Construction Management which is due to start in Semester A 2008.

BNE will offer blended learning modules on their Construction Management course to their learners who will be on campus only for a limited time, allowing them to better combine learning and working (typical attendance at year five part time is one day per month).

This is a huge task, that will get done, but it will need time to get 35 modules fully developed. We will make a start next year, then roll out this approach further next years.

During the workshops it was not the technical aspects of Blackboard that was discussed, but mainly work on the approach to learning to follow. Discussion was also held on how to make learners self-reliant, how to make the mix between online and face-to-face activities and most importantly, how much time and resource the staff will need to develop materials. Some very interesting topics were identified during the workshops including:

• How to present you courses so that they are personal, and inviting to learners?
  
• Using and integrating online testing
  
• Use of Wiki's to write collaboratively
  
• How to get support for developing materials?
  
• Who will develop materials? Staff? Support staff? Or do you just grab it from Merlot, Jorum, or Opencourseware?
  
• How to support site visits
  

Five more workshops will be carried out before Semester A 2008 and after that we will be ready to carry out and adapt the workshop approach within other academic schools.

Professorial vacancy at Caledonian Academy

We are recruiting again. Caledonian Academy is relatively new and we have established a dynamic group of colleagues working across research and development. We now have a new Chair post and would welcome applications from interested colleagues.

Professor of Learning innovation
Glasgow Caledonian University, UK
£51,276 to £64,125 per annum

The Caledonian Academy is a flagship initiative at Glasgow Caledonian University driving forward innovation in learning and teaching through the integration of research and practice. require an ambitious and creative Professor of Learning Innovation to lead the embedding of ideas and new approaches from research into the curriculum, ensuring that the Academy’s research and development initiatives are complementary and integrated.

You will lead academics within a dynamic Learning Development team, work closely with academic schools and will carry out research in an area of strategic importance to the university. You should have an excellent national or international profile in research. You should have a PhD and be prepared to lead a Doctoral degree programme and contribute to postgraduate level teaching and professional activities. For more information contact allison.littlejohn@gcal.ac.uk Application form Closing date June 30th 2008 .