Swansea University - The Learning Lab

Swansea University
Case Study - The Learning Lab staff development initiative


Background and Context
This case study starts by quoting the well quoted e-learning developer Gilly Salmon (2005), in relation to the fact (according to Salmon) that most staff and students in HEIs don’t engage enough in e-learning. It then looks at the setting up of a virtual lab/space on the university website that is available to all staff and students (and live on the web) and has a range of resources, discussion, and links for staff to use with the aim of encouraging e-learning within the University. This virtual lab came about following a survey carried out to find out what the wider understanding of e-learning was within the university. The survey showed that Salmon was right in as much as there were a lot of gaps in staff and student knowledge, despite its acknowledged importance.

Technology used and promoted - What is a Swansea Leaning Lab?
The Learning Lab was set up as an informal place where students and staff can find news, resources, events (in-house and outside) and contact people who are involved with e-learning. People can ask questions on the forums or find someone to contact if they would like to discuss their own programme or learning for e-development. There are also areas for blogs, wikis and pod-casts all laid out in a used friendly manor (I think). Last but not least it has an easy to remember web address and promotes a community of practice through its non imposing and informal style (my thoughts).

Tangible benefits
· There has been an increase in staff usage of some of the tools both on within the Learning Lab (blogs and Wikis) and also calls on the Learning Technologists to support wider university developments.
· The face to face sessions have been popular where IT and technologies can showcase what is happening, the pros and cons of different tools and how e-resources and learning can be integrated into teaching and learning (lunch provided).
· The promotion of a community and the support this could give for e-learning development was at the centre of the Learning Lab and the staff surrounding its development, not the tools

Disadvantages
No disadvantages were noted

Kathryn’s thoughts
I like the idea of the learning lab and having looked at it in detail I like much of what it illustrates and how it works. It is not however up to date (or at least the live web one isn’t). I also like the fact it has a section on accessibility (even though there is not a lot in it at present).

I think this is a slow but sure approach to e-development. Perhaps initially teaching to the converted. It is obviously aimed at staff more than students and within a face to face UG environment I would say it may have less impact that other distance or more flexible course.

I like the emphasis the team place on interaction being a community practice and not over forcing the tools on people. It is also notable that they use food (cake and lunch) as a lure to get people to join in but they don’t note it as a cost, it is an acknowledged part of the informality of the approach.