UEL process for choosing methodology
- Reviewed each methodology, blogs, supporting documents, guides, etc.
- Identified 2-3 that better suited our aims and objectives, had tools and facilitator’s guides available, had positive reviews from users, and seemed to be doable.
UEL perspective on ELTI (SWOT)
S: comprehensive approach (culture, infrastructure, expertise); has a range of support materials; has significant number of adopters to get feedback from.
W: has to be adapted for local context; some terminology is not applicable; might have different interpretation for ‘learning technologies’ for your university; can be perceived to be too long.
O: can be modified and possible tailored to different groups (academics, support staff, students).
T: if changes are global no comparative analysis across the sector is possible (if this is one of the objectives).
More to follow upon completion of the project.
General Advice
1. Working team
- Invite people capable to deliver
- Have a broad representation
- Might want to have several ‘on demand’ members
- Involve senior management members
- Time allocation depends on scope, size of the university, your objectives and availability of resources
2. ELTI questionnaire and follow up focus groups
- Modify to fit your objectives and context
- Reword if needed (e.g., abbreviations, job titles, terminology, etc.)
- Provide definitions and examples if needed (e.g., what is e-learning according to your e-learning strategy)
- Keep a log of ELTI questionnaire changes as suggested by HEA
- Make a questionnaire available on-line
- If targeting different groups, modify questions (academic schools, services, students) to make it relevant
- Provide incentives (e.g., a school with more active participation will get a prize)
- If possible, arrange for research assistant to collect and analyze survey data·
- If possible, set aside budget (printing, prizes, catering, PR, e tc.)
- Make sure to check your survey does not coincide with other surveys done at the University
- Obtain ethics committee approval (if required by your University)
- Stick to deadlines
3. PR activities
- Discuss PR campaign with your Marketing Department
- Use all means possible/available to get a buy-in
- Present at meetings
- Write an article for your internal University publication(s)
- Display info on notice boards or TV/LCD displays
- Present at various committees
- Meet with heads of schools and University senior management team
- Send status reports to senior management team
- Create posters and/or flyers
4. Information management
- Use blog to communicate your progress to University community and beyond.
- Use your VLE as a site for regular e-mail communication, working documents, discussion foruns, data dump, etc.
- Communicate regularly with your consultant and methodology colleagues.
