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Presenter

Professor Galbraith joined the University of Hertfordshire in September 2008 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

He previously held the role Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at Glasgow Caledonian University which he joined in 1993 after spending ten years at Strathclyde University.

His primary research interests are within the area of Building Physics and Material Science with emphasis on moisture within building components and the development of appropriate prediction models and measurement techniques. He has interests in Sustainable Living and has led the development of a new Centre for Sustainable Communities at the University of Hertfordshire.

As the sole Deputy Vice-Chancellor he is currently engaged in all strategic and operational decisions which underpin the positioning and success of the University. Most recently he has led the development and implementation of a new strategic plan for the University which has involved wide engagement across all academic and professional areas of the University.

He is engaged in the full range of strategic leadership discussions and decision making with particular emphasis on Academic Development (review of Academic portfolio and positioning, student recruitment, assessment practice, the student experience  (Improving NSS results and overall league table position) and research strategy).

 Jon Alltree

Jon was appointed the university’s Director of Learning and Teaching in August 2007. He qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1983 and worked in a variety of NHS hospitals before joining the University of Hertfordshire in 1995. 

He lectured for eight years in the Department of Allied Health Professions, during which time he developed a strong interest in Learning and Teaching issues and became the Faculty Champion for StudyNet — the University’s Managed Learning Environment. He joined the University’s Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching in 2003 and became the Blended Learning Unit’s Deputy Director from its inception in April 2005.

Although he has a particular interest in integrating technology into the curriculum, he is also interested in disciplinary differences, assessment and change management. His doctoral thesis considered the implementation of StudyNet.

Abstract

In 2009/10 there were 10 million student and staff logins to StudyNet, the University of Hertfordshire’s Managed Learning Environment (MLE). StudyNet is central to the University’s Blended Learning agenda which has seen major innovation at Institutional, programme and individual level over the past 10 years. The embedded use of technology to support student learning at Hertfordshire has been completely transformative and a return to the pre-StudyNet, pre-Blended Learning days is unthinkable.

This interactive presentation will consider StudyNet and other enabling factors, including:

• A centrally supported strategy that combined a clear direction of travel with a mix of investment, usage targets, a local ‘Champion’ network, staff development and incentives to innovate
• The role of the Blended Learning Unit (BLU - a HEFCE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) in supporting the strategy, with particular reference to Curriculum Design innovation and Change Management through partnership between teaching teams, students and the BLU

The presentation will outline the key milestones in our journey, highlight some of the critical success factors and share some of the successful practice innovations that have emerged. It will also explore some of the challenges that are yet to be overcome. 

All HE institutions have their own successes and face their own challenges and the interactive aspects of the presentation will explore whether the audience believes similar strategies have worked, or could work, elsewhere. It will also capture alternative solutions and challenges of the day.

Finally our presentation will look to the future, with particular reference to two major strands of our Blended Learning activity that potentially have widespread interest: embedding technology supported Assessment for Learning in new areas of study; and ensuring a proportion of highly flexible/online modules are available to all our students.

You can hear Graham talk about the session in a podcast, which you can view online in the Flash player, or download the original mp3 file.

Facilitator

Mark Russell

Mark's main areas of interest are in the area of assessment for learning, just in time teaching, technology enhanced learning and curriculum design. Mark is the Project Director of the JISC funded Effecting Sustainable Change in Assessment Practice and Experience (ESCAPE) project and leads the University of Hertfordshire’s (Learning and Teaching Institute’s) strand on Curriculum Design and Innovation. Mark won the Times Higher Education Supplement e-tutor of the year (2003) and is a UK National Teaching Fellow. 

He has recently received a University of Hertfordshire ‘Chancellor’s Medal’ for his recently completed PhD, A Personalised Assessment Programme in Engineering Education. Chancellor’s Medals are for outstanding research and are the highest recognition the University gives for its PhD awards.

He receives numerous invites to present his work at other Universities.