Case study:A team based approach to develop e-resources

The use of this e-learning approach

• ‘Development of a sustainable and transferable team-based approach to the provision of e-resources’
• The first year of the project UReCA (Understanding Research and Critical Appraisal in Health Care) for developing e-resources highlighted the weaknesses in staff development. ‘Specifically these related to lack of familiarity and confidence with the tools used to deliver materials and support online discussions and conceptualising the link between paper-based activities and e-resources.’

Context

‘The UReCA project had provided the evidence-base for the advantages of:

• flexible access to resources via 24/7 online environment
• differentiation of resources online increasing the range of options available and matching them to specific groups where appropriate
• reflections on the structure and design of e-resources informing the developing structure and design of the modules taught sessions

UReCA dissemination events highlighted that key points for effective practice included:

• varied mix of skills and experience amongst staff team taken into account and confidence levels increased through co-operation
• supportive approach to e-tutoring and moderation of forum required to engage learners and staff team members ‘

Design

Design a programme, which promotes a gradual understanding, enables staff to communicate and supports face-to-face sessions.

Implement this e-learning approach

• A series of face-to-face sessions
• A series of interactive sessions open to all staff
• A hot lunch as an incentive
• ‘Summary reports of each session were posted to the staff blog. Session updates and news posted to the staff forum including links to the blog.’

Technology Used

• ‘part of the University's Web Architecture which is supported and developed by E-lab the division of Warwick IT Services’
• ‘The design of online staff development content and activities integrates a range of features available web content and related activities including those for creation of forms, quizzes, forums, blogs, personalised content etc.’

Benefits

‘Benefits to date can be measured by significant improvements amongst staff in:

• understanding
• enthusiasm for investigating e-resources
• ability to deliver e-learning
• wider participation in e-learning developments
• confidence in the use of e-tools
• networking. ‘

Disadvantages

• Investment in time on the design
• Cost implications
• ‘equired in maintaining parallel online support for face-to-face sessions and preparing supporting notes in hard copy for colleagues who find operating in an online environment more of a challenge'

Lessons Learned

• ‘Bringing staff together as a team provides a supportive environment’
• ‘promote (…) team members to communicate on 'similar wavelengths'.’
• ‘the benefits of taking a strategic approach to staff development are already becoming apparent in the growth of collaborative (peer-to-peer) initiatives and the dissemination of outputs via the staff forum’