Learning and Teaching Support
Title of service: eLearning support
Status of Document: This document lists and describes the services offered by LTG in July 2010
1. Introduction
The Learning Technologies Group (LTG) support academic colleagues in the use of IT in learning and teaching. We provide training, advice and guidance to members of the University in making use of the tools in the virtual learning environment and with regard to planning and evaluating the use of technology.
We promote and support the use of C&IT in teaching at Oxford via our user communities, websites, news publications, workshops and events. We offer University staff and students training in IT literacy skills and how to effectively use online tools and classroom technology in research lead teaching. Support is given for podcasting, multimedia capture and display of material.
We provide information on new technologies through the creation of reports and guides which are published on our website and provide a source of reference for users. LTG staff work with colleagues in the Department of Education and the Oxford Learning Institute to efficiently disseminate information about the use of learning technology within the University.
We provide and develop a central Virtual Learning Environment (WebLearn) for the University, tailored to the needs of students and staff. Our staff carry out research into the latest developments in the use of C&IT in traditional university teaching and learning. We feed the outputs of this research into our practice and provision.
2. Summary of OUCS’s Responsibilities
2.1 The service operates 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2.2 The service aims for all email queries to receive a response from a staff member within two working days.
2.3 LTG colleagues work with other sections of OUCS to ensure that elearning is considered in any relevant decisions and discussions regarding teaching and learning within the university.
2.4 Members of LTG will represent Oxford University on relevant national and international bodies where appropriate and will recommend to staff any conferences that may be of interest.
2.5 Through the Client Relations Team user requirements from the wider university are gathered and analysed to feed into future OUCS service provision decisions.
2.6 Through LTG Services Section support is given for podcasting and multimedia capture and display of material.
2.7 Courses offered by the IT Learning Programme are available for individuals to work through remotely via material provided on WebLearn.
2.8 We maintain web pages aimed at promoting the use of IT to support learning and teaching at Oxford University.
2.9 LTG staff support users of e-learning tools through responses to individual queries wherever possible, or by reference to training courses or material. In addition user meetings are arranged to gather user requirements and disseminate details of new features
2.10 We are happy to give individual advice and support on use of local learning technologies. The LTG does not have the staff resources regularly to attend academic colleagues in their own colleges or departments however such visits to can be arranged on a case-by-case basis where necessary.
2.11 LTG staff have expertise in learning technologist recruitment and appraisal and will provide support and assistance to colleges and departments in recruiting learning technologists including acting as part of a recruitment panel, assisting with appraisals, or providing other OUCS staff for these services.
2.12 The LTG provide a central source of information about training, funding and events relevant to academics using learning technology and provides regular email bulletins to subscribers to disseminate good practice from relevant case studies when appropriate
2.13 We provide training for elearning tools through relevant courses organised by the LTG and relevant other bodies.
2.14 We deliver seminars and updates for users, in advance, on new technologies or impending OUCS service changes.
2.15 The LTG strive to facilitate communication between OUCS technical experts and distributed learning technologists within the University.
2.16 LTG staff attend relevant induction seminars so that members of the University are aware of the services available from OUCS and of strategic elearning issues in the collegiate University.
2.17 Our training rooms are equipped and flexible to support the diverse group of learners within the University.
2.18 LTG presentation, training materials, reports and guides are available in accessible formats and can be provided in alternative formats on request.
2.19 Our news letters, announcements and updates are distributed by a variety of methods and in more than one format.
2.20 The technology tools we promote have accompanying accessibility information.
2.21 Web based materials are tested on a variety of user agents, platforms and browsers and are produced in line with the OUCS accessibility statement and University of Oxford web accessibility guidelines.
2.22 Wherever possible our materials are suitable for a range of audiences and jargon–free.
2.23 Our services are open to all members of the University.
2.24 The contact details of LTG staff are provided on our web pages.
3. Summary of Clients' responsibilities
3.1 Members of our communities of users are required to abide by the University IT Regulations and to comply with any relevant legislation
3.2 We strive to be courteous, polite and efficient to all our customers at all times and expect the same from you.
3.4 Whenever a tailor-made course is delivered by the LTG teachers in department or college own teaching facilities, it is department or college responsibility to provide agreed software, technical facilities and support.
3.5 Where users have benefitted from significant advice help or support from LTG staff they may be asked to contribute case studies or examples to the LTG website for dissemination of good practice.
3.6 Users of e-learning tools are responsible for the maintenance, content creation, and resource creation of their ‘space’ and’ materials’ and adherence to any relevant legislation regarding content, including accessibility and copyright.
3.7 We would also ask the client to provide feedback on the tools we provide and input into future development plans.
4. Premium Services
4.1 Members of LTG are available on request to make presentations to course teams and programme groups in support of programme redesign or a co-ordinated departmental approach to use of technology to support learning and teaching.
4.2 Members of LTG are sometimes available on request to support academic colleagues in recording audio materials as part of the University podcasting project.
4.3 On a charged pro rata basis LTG can facilitate the production of transcripts to online audio materials e.g. podcasts.
