JISC

Start date: 1 October 2007

End date: 31 March 2009

Funding programme: e-Learning Capital programme

Project website: http://www.uspace.org.uk

JISC theme(s): e-Learning

Committees: JISC Learning and Teaching committee

Overview

UsPaCe is a regional, cross-institutional, collaborative project that will investigate the application of suitable Web 2.0 technologies to support:

• Foundation Degree (FdSc, FdA and HNC) learners engaged in Work Based Learning (WBL);
• learners progressing from Foundation Degree to the final year of an Honours degree;
• WBL mentors.

UsPaCe aims to support the needs of WBL learners and mentors via the creation and sharing of resources and by providing online student support for learners in the work-place to be accessed via desktop or mobile devices.  Additionally UsPaCe will support and allow tutors, mentors, learners, employers and the South West Lifelong Learning Network (SWLLN) to interact, communicate and share ideas experiences and knowledge. .

Aims and objectives

The Objectives of UsPaCe are to:

Develop the UsPaCe activity space using iGoogle and:

• • Del.icio.us : website which enables collecting, notating and sharing of useful web pages
  • ELGG : open source social networking platform with eportfolio capabilities. ELGG will provide e-portfolio space and blogging facilities to allow employers and tutors to comment, enhance and feedback on e-portfolios
  • Mediawiki: software which allows web pages to be created and edited collaboratively and can be interfaced with ELGG to provide community workspace

  To enable:

  • Social Tagging via Del.icio.us
  • Group work and community formation via ELGG
  • Social networking via ELGG
  • Resource sharing via Mediawiki and Del.icio.us
  • Resource creation via Mediawiki and Del.icio.us
  • ePortfolio creation via ELGG

    Project methodology                                              

  • Develop the user access space using iGoogle to allow users to create a personalised learning experience. This personalised learning experience may also be accessed using mobile technologies;
  • Develop tutor support materials on the use of UsPaCe;
  • Host outputs from the activity space within the HELP CETL repository;
  • Tailor and repackage existing content e.g. from SURF WBL and SPAT as UsPaCe support materials;
  • Develop suitable iGoogle Gadgets based on user needs;
  • Include relevant resources from the HELP CETL and other CETLs;
  • Ensure suitable outputs are placed on JORUM.

  Anticipated impact

  • Creating and evaluating eLearning methodologies which can improve the quality of learning for students involved in lifelong learning
  • Exploring the use of virtual Communities of Practice in supporting learners and tutors using.
  • Create a resource which is suitable for use HE in FE as well as in HE, and which can follow the learner progressing to HE or employment
  • Providing the learner with an personalised learning experience
  • Involving multiple academics as module leaders
  • Facilitating the uptake of eLearning across several institutions, who are part of UPC. to support widening participation, work place learning, flexible delivery and personalised learner experiences;
  • Producing evidence and in-depth lessons learned on the cross institutional use of technology to support lifelong learners

  Project partners

  • Cornwall College of Further Education
  • Falmouth Marine School
  • The Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies, Worcester
  • City College Plymouth

  Project institution

  • Plymouth university