JISC

Overview

Currently, the University has a single virtual learning environment (VLE), BlackBoard, used by all academic Schools. The VLE has components integrated with the student records, finance and user authentication systems indicative of the long term information strategy to develop an effective managed learning environment. The University also has an internal networking interface, Connect, which allows registered staff and students to interact with each other. Recently, the University has begun using Google sites, which allows users to share information with colleagues and students, plus allows sharing with the public.

Interactive work-based learning environments (iWoBLE) project is needed and important because at present, the VLE and the Personal Development Portfolio/e-portfolio tools are not used in the systems for managing and supporting students on placement or their employers, even though many courses include work placements as part of the student experience. This project would stimulate use of a VLE and the support provided to placement students, employers and tutors. When successfully piloted via Westminster Business School's Business Experience and International Unit, focusing on one year Undergraduate placements, Postgraduate Internships and the Postgraduate Mentoring Scheme, the tools and resources can be shared with other Schools and with other institutions in Further and Higher Education.

Aims and objectives

• To create working online communities that will allow participants to immediately capture/record reflections, communicate ideas and provide feedback on work-based learning – these will underpin face-to-face interactions.
• To provide forums for learning and exchange, wherein stakeholders (employers, students and tutors) can contribute to the development of the work-based and lifelong learning activities of the University.

Project methodology

The project manager intends to use MS Project for the project planning, scheduling, executing and tracking.

The project will be limited to the following programmes under the Business Experience and International Unit: 48-week long placements for undergraduate students, 1-3 month long internships for postgraduate students, and semester-long mentoring pairings. Tutors and staff involved will be those allocated by Heads of Department to perform visits to the students.

Critical Success Factors:

• Money: close relationship with the Finance Manager to ensure that budget is adhered to.
• Stakeholder satisfaction: questionnaires and focus groups to ensure that employers, students and tutors are happy with the process and level of support.
• Quality: reviewing processes and levels of support and making adjustments, as required
• Service development: reviewing relationships with existing stakeholders and providing new and better services
• Intellectual capital: learning by doing and sharing best practice with other Schools and partners in Further and Higher Education
• Strategic relationships: identifying new ways to support work-based learning for employers, students and tutors
• Employee Buy-In: achieving buy-in and motivating staff to develop their skills and programmes during the project life.
• Sustainability: ensuring that the model and project reports are disseminated extensively; providing guidance and support to those across the University and at partner institutions that wish to adapt the process for their own purposes.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

Outputs:

• A model for the effective use of a ‘standard’ VLE to develop effective support for students on work placements and to develop a learning community engaging employers, student and university staff. 
• More mature institutional integration of IT systems facilitating the inclusion of a broad range of externals with differing levels of online access. 
• Presentations, articles and reports (interim, final, and evaluation) delivered by the Project Team: Project website and blog for the purpose of informing, engaging and promoting. 
• Training materials for workshops delivered by coordinating staff aimed at employers/mentors, tutors and students 
• Practical implementation handbook for use by Schools and the wider community for adaptation. 
• Exit strategy/sustainability plan

Outcomes: 

• Establishment of a sustainable learning community to develop among the employer representatives and with staff / the university curriculum, thus enhancing their own lifelong learning.
• Recorded employer engagement through online means with WBL development and activities - in support of students and for their own professional development of mentoring and supervision – i.e. key management of soft skills.
• stakeholders across the university will understand how the online methods for engaging employers in WBL can impact positively on student performance. 
• Enhanced anytime/anywhere support for Westminster students on work placements to help ensure the quality of student experience.
• Improved relationship management between employers, institutions and the learner by readily capturing information as it occurs, allowing the project team to evaluate, revise and improve the processes in successive years.

Lead Institution

• University of Westminster