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Moodling in Using a virtual learning
environment to deliver staff induction

• An interactive workshop presented by
• Andrea Lambon Assistant Director, Library and
  Learning Resources Birmingham City University

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About us

• Birmingham City University 23,000 students
• Library and Learning Resources 170 staff in 8
  libraries and Learning Resource Centres

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What we are going to cover in this session

• consider what issues need to be addressed
• examine how a VLE can be used to host a staff
  induction programme
• evaluate the suitability of a VLE to deliver
  staff induction
• list recommendations based on lessons learnt

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What we wanted to achieve

• to make induction a positive experience
• to make the programme relevant,
• manageable and engaging
• to be able to assess learning
• to provide a tool for consistent delivery
• to give time for learning and reflection

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Activity

• Think about your induction process and identify
  any issues you need to address

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Issues we needed to resolve

• Paper based
• daunting
• line manager reliant
• inconsistent delivery
• instruction rather than engagement
• little assessment of learning
• no consideration given to how people learn
• Activity
• Pick one of these issues and say how you
• would go about solving it

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What we did

• Used a VLE Moodle to host documentation,
  assessments and activities on the VLE
• divided the programme into modules
• produced a series of checklists to guide the line
  manager and inductees through the programme
• employed Course Genie to provide a different
  interface for supporting information
• developed online quizzes with instant feedback
  and results
• created links through to other useful information
• evaluation of the programme at the end of each
  module

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What we didUse of a VLE - Moodle
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Divided the programme into modules
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Produced a series of checklists to guide line
mangers and inductees through the programme
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Host the documentation, written assessments and
activities including video clips and scenarios
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Employed Course Genie to provide a different
interface for supporting information
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Developed online quizzes with instant feedback
and results
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Created links through to other useful information
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Evaluation of the programme
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Activity

• What other modern technologies could be used?
• and
• How can we employ them?

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Evaluation of a VLE to deliver staff induction

• Feedback from one new member of staff
• The Moodle platform is ideal for staff
  induction with facilities for expanding and
  including links to further useful material it
  should be exploited to the full

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What a VLE offers

• allows information to be presented in a variety
  of formats
• provides the facility for engagement and
  assessment
• tailored programmes as line managers can dictate
  the priorities and modules they want their staff
  to undertake
• enables the line manger to assess learning and
  understanding
• self paced learning for the inductee
• a reference tool that can be referred back to

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What a VLE cant do

• replace the human touch
• Line managers now spend time in feeding back
  rather than instructing
• Buddying introduced to provide informal support
• Still plenty of on the job training required
• Work Journals to record reflective learning

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List of recommendations based on lessons learnt

• A VLE should be used as part of a blended
  approach to learning
• begin by reviewing your current process
• choose the right format for you
• agree the structure of the programme prior to
  commencing work on the VLE
• make as interactive and engaging as possible
  using a variety of formats to maintain interest
• try to ensure that you have a good level of
  technical skills and abilities in your team prior
  to setting up the VLE

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List of recommendations based on lessons learnt

• be prepared to create your own materials
  including video clips and photos
• set aside time to develop the VLE
• engage with your line managers as they will be
  the ones delivering the programme
• get a basic programme in place and then add to
  it. It will never be finished and will constantly
  need updating!

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Plans for the future

• Continue to develop modules
• add further assessments and activities to
  increase interaction
• include more innovative delivery i.e. Podcasts,
  training videos
• introduce ePortfolios to record learning and
  development
• set up a staff induction blog to the wider
  library community
• look at how Moodle can be employed to support
  staff training in general
• monitor, evaluate and review.

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Any questions?

• andrea.lambon_at_bcu.ac.uk