Our 2009 Resolutions

A 'Feedback' forum was setup for members to allow them to post their feedback on any of the last year topics and events. We also added a 'Suggestions' forum to give them an opportunity to discuss topics, ideas or issues.

The IT development team are currently working on linking the Ning Validation Support Network to the University’s HIVE repository where members will be able to hold outputs from validations. Practitioners will be able to search these documents by using criteria, such as subject, which will enable practitioners to learn from previous experiences via a “self-service” approach..


Chris Gray (QIS) started Learning and Teaching Strategy (LST) discussion on VSN. He asserts that LST represents a key element of the programme specification. The strategy should articulate how the course will be delivered, whether this is on-campus, via technology supported learning or in the work-place. He suggests that when designing a new programme course teams must consider the types of teaching, learning methods that will be used. These should reflect the market, aims and outcomes of the award.

Validating Technology Supported learning event

We organised an online event on Technology Supported Learning and Validation on Thursday, 11th December which consisted of two presentations. The first one was led by Glynn Skerratt, principal lecturer from Faculty of Sciences, who has been involved with designing for distance learning with off-campus students for many years. The second one was presented by Barry Wardle & Keith Booles, senior lecturers from Faculty of Health who talked about their experiences using podcasting (audio files) to support enquiry based learning for pre-registration nursing degree and diploma students.

We made the presentations available in a forum on the main page in Ning social network in .wmv and .mp3 format. The idea was to enable the community members to view these presentation prior to the event and note questions so they can ask the presenters on the event day

Glynn, Barry and Keith were available online from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday 11th December to answer members questions in the forum. We provided physical space, both at Stafford and Stoke, so members could get help when they had problems accessing the presentations or the forum on that day. The event is followed by interesting and valuable threads of questions from academics.