Dear All,
Following on from the success of the workshop 'Effective e-Learning with
VLEs' , Netskills have introduced a brand new workshop to the portfolio
'Effective Course Development for VLEs'.

This workshop is designed for those who have already attended the first
workshop and puts the theory learnt into practice.

The first of these workshops have been scheduled at the venues below:

9th May - Netskills, Newcastle Upon Tyne

25th June - BIFHE, Northern Ireland (booking possible in next couple of
weeks - please keep an eye on web site)

16th July - Manchester Computing

This workshop has been subsidised by the JISC, so we are delighted to be
able to offer it at half the usual price (60 pounds instead of 120
pounds) for participants from HE and FE.

An outline of the workshop is included below.  To book a place, please
go to http://www.netskills.ac.uk/workshops/forthcoming.html and fill in
the appropriate online booking form.

Kind Regards
Juliet Schroeder
Marketing and Training Coordinator
Netskills 0191 222 5008

Effective Course Development for VLEs
Putting theory into practice

Building on the themes of the successful Netskills workshop Effective
E-Learning with VLEs, this workshop is aimed at individuals who are
either currently delivering or are preparing to deliver some aspect of
their current teaching provision using a VLE. It addresses some of the
practical issues of developing and designing content, as well as finding
and utilising reusable content for VLE courses. Models of delivery from
supplementary to fully online (web enhanced, web focussed, web driven)
are explored in terms of course design and implementation. 

The workshop examines and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of a
range of content types both produced by the course developer and found
online as existing resources. The integration of VLE communications and
assessment tools with content to enhance learning is explored along with
practical issues of content type, structure and navigation. Product
specific issues and practicalities are not covered.

Workshop Content:
The workshop will comprise presentations, demonstrations and hands-on
sessions with opportunities for questions and discussion. Participants
will each receive a workbook which contains workshop exercises,
presentation slides and other relevant materials.

Topics covered will include:

Models of VLE course structure 
Finding, evaluating and implementing reusable content e.g. NLN, Digital
Brain 
Learning objects and standards including ADL, IMS, SCORM 
Formats for presenting content 
Content presentation design 
Developing Web Enhanced, Web Focused and Web Driven courses 
Use of communication and assessment tools to enhance content 

By the end of the workshop participants will have:

Searched for and evaluated reusable content on the web 
Gained an understanding of the benefits and limitations of VLE course
design 
Evaluated a range of exemplar courses using different delivery models 
Explored the design process in producing VLE courses 
Assessed the suitability of a range of content types and structures 
Investigated the practical issues involved in utilising reusable content


Workshop Requirements
Participants should be familiar with the use of a computer keyboard and
mouse, Microsoft Windows based products and the use of a web browser
such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. Participants should have attended
the Netskills workshop Effective E-Learning with VLEs.

The cost of the workshop is £ 60 for participants from UK higher and
further education. Other participants should contact Netskills for the
relevant fees. Note: Costs include lunch, morning coffee and afternoon
tea. 

Joining details and further information will be sent to participants
prior to the workshop