JISC

Overview

TAG – The Alternative Guide to UCLan will be based on an interactive website, which will provide a dynamic platform for projects within UCLan to support students in their transition into higher education. The tool will provide information, written by students, that will allow potential students to develop realistic expectations of HE. The tool will guide students to identify the skills and attributes required in HE and how to start developing them prior to arrival through support, formative assessment and problem based learning. The tool will allow students to access an interactive tour of UCLan to enable them to become orientated with the campus prior to arrival. The social aspect of the site will utilise Web 2.0 technology to encourage students to develop relationships and peer support and to share concerns or seek advice to support them in their transition.

Aims and objectives

To produce a dynamic website that will act as a platform for other developments designed to support students in their transition into higher education and to promote best practice both internally and externally. The tool will engage users, supporting students in their move into higher education, identifying at an early stage issues students need to be aware of during the period of time from when a student applies to UCLan until the submission of their first assessment. Tools will be developed to enable students to select the most suitable course and support the development of their key academic skill prior to arrival.

Project methodology

TAG will include case studies, articles and videos produced by current students covering a range of issues, experiences and use off services at UCLan. The site will also feature an interactive campus map and in-depth videos tours to allow them to be come orientated with the campus, locating key offices and learning areas. The tool will also include forms of diagnostic testing to help with course selection and tools to develop academic skills. The tool will also utalise social networking tools to enable students to develop relationships with their peers prior to arrival.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

JISC Requirements:

• Project Plan
• Progress Reports
• Completion report
• Final report
• Project website

Project Deliverables

• Blog
• Guide to engaging students in the project and capturing their experiences.
• Guide to support and resources students require prior to arrival
• Overview of project teams experience of developing and delivering project
• Template and guide to developing an Alternative Guide for other institutions.
• Four stage interactive map of the campus
• Completed TAG to be used as guide / template / direction for other institutions
• Project evaluations
• Best practice for developing a TAG for other institutions.
• Publications
• Case studies

Technology / Standards used

The TAG project will adhere to open standards, ensuring the tool developed will be transferable.

The technology used to construct the site will be a Content Management System, in this case RedDot.