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VLE BY THREE: COMPARISON OF VLE IMPLEMENTATION IN
DIVERSE INSTITUTIONS
A one-day workshop from ALT

DATE: 9 May 2002
TIME: 10:00 - 16:00
VENUE: Reading Business School
COST: Stlg 80 (ALT members), stlg 130 (non-members)
BOOKING DEADLINE: 25 APRIL 2002

OVERVIEW
Based on a highly successful panel session at ALT-C 2001, this
workshop will provide delegates with the opportunity to consider
various strategies for the implementation and embedding of virtual
and managed learning environments (VLEs and MLEs).  As more
and more institutions select and adopt on-line learning systems,
the need for carefully thought-through implementation strategies is
becoming increasingly important across the sector.  It is clear from
our experience that the implementation strategy adopted must be
aligned to the culture and structure of the organisation, and that
very diverse institutions may in fact share very common
approaches to implementation.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED
The workshop will focus on a comparative analysis of the strategies
which have been adopted by three institutions which have selected
the
same MLE (Blackboard).  Each presenter will describe the context
of their institution and outline the implementation strategies which
have been chosen to ensure the effective adoption of a VLE within
this context.  Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss
how the implementation strategies presented could be adopted or
translated to their own institutional contexts and to explore how the
potential for institutional and cultural change is dependent on the
implementation strategy.  Although each of these three institutions
has adopted the Blackboard learning environment, the issues
which will be discussed can be applied to any learning environment.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
By the end of the workshop participants will have:
*Identified the key success factors from a range of implementation
 strategies for VLEs and MLEs in different institutions
*Discussed how different approaches to VLE and MLE
implementation could be
 successfully adopted within their own institution
*Evaluated potential cultural change issues associated with VLEs
and MLEs and how these can be affected by the implementation
strategy adopted

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Staff involved with the implementation of virtual and managed
learning environments in FE and HE institutions, including learning
technology advisors, information services staff, those responsible for
student management systems and, because of the institutional
change issues, senior managers, in particular those with
responsibility for learning and teaching.

PROGRAMME
10:00 Registration
10:30 Background to the three institutions
10:50 Implementation strategies
11:30 Coffee break
11:50 Discussion groups: implementation within individual
institutions
12:30 Initial feedback
13:00 Buffet lunch
13:45 Institutional and cultural change issues
14:20 Discussion groups: rationale, institutional and cultural
change
15:00 Coffee break
15:20 Plenary feedback and discussion
16:00 Close

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Each presenter has significant experience in the implementation
and support of Blackboard within their institution.

Dr Arthur Loughran is a Senior Lecturer within the Centre for
Learning and Teaching at the University of Paisley. His current role
is as Project Manager for the selection and implementation of new
learning technologies for the University.

Dr Neil Ringan has been involved in the use of technology to support
teaching and learning since 1989 and is currently Director of the
Learning Innovation Centre at the University of Huddersfield.  He is
responsible for co-ordinating the implementation and management
of Blackboard and other learning technology systems across the
University.  http://www.hud.ac.uk/lic

Dr Barbara Watson has been a learning technologist for 8 years
and is currently the Learning Technology Team Leader at the
University of Durham. She supports the use of C&IT in learning and
teaching throughout the University.
http://www.dur.ac.uk/ITS/ltteam/

VENUE
This workshop will be held at Reading Business School.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Travel directions can be found by clicking on ‘about us’ at
www.readingbizzschool.com.

Parking is available for £6.00 per day in the Riverside car park.

Please note that it is the responsibility of delegates to arrange
their own accommodation.

*******************************************************

ALT WORKSHOP BOOKING FORM
VLE by three: comparison of VLE implementation in diverse
institutions

Date: 9 May 2002
Time: 10:00-16:00
Location: Reading Business School
Cost: stlg 80.00 for ALT members; stlg 130.00 for non-members


Name: ____________________________________________

Department: _______________________________________

Institution: ________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Postcode: _________________________

Tel: ______________________________

Fax: ______________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

Please indicate membership status:
 Individual / Institutional / Corporate

 ___ Please send me ALT membership details

 Please indicate any special dietary or physical requirements:

___________________________________________________

ALT will maintain the data you supply in keeping with the UK Data
Protection Act.  All delegates will receive a list of participants,
including name, organisation and email address.  Tick here if you
do not wish to be included on that list. __

PAYMENT DETAILS

a) I enclose a cheque for stlg _______ made payable to the
Association for Learning Technology and drawn on a UK bank

b) Debit stlg _________ from my Visa/Mastercard

Account no: ______  ______  _______  ______

Expiry date: ___ /___

Cardholder's name: ___________________________

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_______________________________________________

Signed: ________________________        Date: __________


c) Please invoice against purchase order number ____________

Please note that bookings will only be confirmed on receipt of
payment.  Payment will be refunded if notification is made in writing
by Thursday 25 April 2002.  An administration charge of £20 will be
made.  No refunds will be payable after this date, but substitutions
(confirmed in writing) will be accepted.

Please complete the booking form & return it NO LATER THAN 25
APRIL 2002 to:
ALT Administration, Oxford Brookes University,
Headington, OXFORD OX3 0BP, UK.
Fax: 01865 484165
Email: [log in to unmask]

Disclaimer
While great care is taken to provide accurate and helpful
information and advice at this workshop, ALT cannot accept any
responsibility for any losses subsequently incurred. Participants are
expected to check all essential information and seek professional or
expert advice as appropriate to specific circumstances.

ASSOCIATION FOR LEARNING TECHNOLOGY
Registered Charity Number 1063519