G4L - East Midlands NTI Gateway for Learning
Region East Midlands
Overview
The G4L project is built on the ongoing development of a regional New
Technology Initiative consortium, working to provide training and support
in the areas of Energy and Environment. The NTI group, consisting of 4
Universities and 2 FE colleges, will be offering learning opportunities
which comprise a combination of elements from the different institutions.
The challenge is to provide end-users with a simple, usable interface which
shields them from the distributed learning management system sitting behind
it.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims to explore the delivery of e-learning courses to SMEs,
which utilise learning resources and administration that is distributed
among a consortium of Universities and FE colleges and delivered often in a
Work-Based Learning context.
A key objective is to identify an effective methodology, together with
appropriate technology, to present learners with a seamless learning
experience in which the back-of-house distribution of courses and materials
remains largely hidden.
Whilst true personalisation of the learning experience is not a central
objective, the perception of both flexibility and tailorability to personal
needs is key. With this in mind, for SME application, the production of
effective interfaces for leaner and content management and learning
administration is paramount.
Project Methodology
A model for the compilation and presentation of distributed e-learning
elements is being developed in consultation with learning technology teams
at the partner institutions.
A package of web-based tools and a simple web-portal is being developed.
Interface design, courseware templates and back-end database
architecture/build are to be contracted in.
An NTI Waste Management course currently under development will be used as
the main e-learning course to be delivered using the system. Additional
resources, modules and short courses will also be made available via the
G4L package.
A comprehensive evaluation of the technical approach adopted, the
effectiveness of the package in delivering seamless learning experiences,
and system usability will be carried out.
Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders
This project will provide an e-learning solution to the need for the
consortium of universities and colleges to provide coherent learning
experiences built from distributed resources and support.
The system produced will be scalable and will provide a model for similar
training-management and delivery scenarios, as well as providing a tool-set
to support these.
The key stakeholder groups are:
Tutors; learners (and the SMEs providing them); course
administrators; and curriculum developers.
Lead institution
Project partners
-
Brooksby Melton College, Project management (initial project
phases)
-
Tresham Institute, NTI administrator
-
De Montfort University, Curriculum partner
-
Nottingham Trent University, Curriculum partner
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University College Northampton, Lead Curriculum partner
-
LearnDirect (UfI), Project advisor
Project Staff
Project Director
-
Dr. Paul Rowley, Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology
(CREST), Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering,
Loughborough University, Leics. LE11 3TU UK Tel: 01509 227020 P.N.Rowley@lboro.ac.uk