Welcome to SWGfL Merlin

The future of learning is here!

www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin

Definition of “Learning Platform”

“The term ‘Learning Platform’ refers to a combination of IT services that support teaching and learning.

Through a learning platform, hardware, software and supporting services are brought together to enable more effective ways of working within and outside the classroom.”

Learning Platforms – Making IT Personal, DfES

SWGfL Merlin

DCSF Targets

• By spring 2008 the DCSF expects all local authorities, to have ensured that all learners have access to a personal online learning space. LAs have been given the responsibility (and the funding) for ensuring that this initial element of a learning platform is made available to all schools.

• By March 2010 all schools are expected to be using a learning platform which integrates with a

management information system Becta Advice 2008

DCSF Targets

By September 2008 all secondary schools will be expected to provide information to parents covering achievement, progress, attendance, behaviour and special needs, on a timely and frequent basis – this should be at least once per term.

• By September 2010 all secondary schools will need to offer parents real-time access to this information (including the opportunity for secure online access) wherever they are and whenever they want.

• Primary schools must also meet the basic requirement by September 2010 and the real time requirement by 2012.

Jim Knight, BETT09 January 2008

Drivers for Change

• Personalised Learning Agenda• Anywhere anytime access• Building Schools for the Future• Making IT Personal• E-safety• The Internet

– YouTube, Bebo. Myspace, blogs, wikis• 14-19 Agenda• DCSF Targets

– Learning Space– MIS Access– Parental Access

Strategic approach in SW

• One size does not fit all – schools want choice – Would 2,400 schools ever choose the same thing?

• Let SWGfL do that which an RBC can uniquely do and avoid that which can be done best at a local level

• Technologies develop quickly – need ability to add services in future through an integrator service

Strategic approach in SW

Key principles moving forwards• Drive integration• Promote the right to choose• Aggregate to reduce costs• Develop managed services• Allow schools to build on what they have

already…• … and let schools move at their own pace

Welcome to SWGfL Merlin

The future of learning is here!

What is SWGfL Merlin?

SIMS

Your MIS

Simplified Sign On Service

UserDirectory

Inter-operability data interchange

Library

Space

Community

Personal

Virtual Desktop

VLE

Your VLEBlog

Wiki

Forums etc.

Tools

E.g.

Espresso

Sam Learning

Knowledge Box

SWGfL Content

Purchased Content

Big Day OutuLearnAudio Networks……

SWGfL Merlin - A starting

point…

Building your school’s platform – plugging in your choice of tools

An extended learning platform

Tools

Space

Single Sign On

Desktop

Simplified sign-on

Transfer of accounts between schools

Filtering and e-safety

Integration of MIS

Integration of a range VLE

Communication and collaboration between all schools in the SW

Discussions

Range of themes and interfaces

Wikis

Blogs

Search

Calendar

Targeted News

Bulletin board

Website creation

Surveys

Questionnaires

Personal online space

Interest groups Collaborative projects

E-portfolio

Parental password access

Target specific users

Storage of resources

Sharing resources

Chat

Upload a range of file types

Merlin

VLE

Assessment tools

Timetables linked to VLE

Resources linked to timetables

Structured course builder

Businesssystems

MIS

CV builder

Off-line learning

Whole school pupil tracking systems

Pupil record systems

Attendance

Reporting systems

Structured targetsetting

E-ILP

Learning Platform

What will SWGfL Merlin look like?

•Bespoke Early Years interface with full integration into SWGfL Merlin•Simple access to tools and resources•Age appropriate tools including simple word processor, online scribble tool, online diary•Creation of e-books for sharing with class•Functionality, tools and sharing controlled and managed by teacher

Screen shots

Moving On…• Additional tools and interfaces as pupils migrate

to full SWGfL Merlin• Customisable virtual desktop enabling

personalisation of interface with themes, images, widgets• E-portfolio can be shared with other users• Collaboration spaces to share and communicate

information

Scenarios

Demo site

• Targeted news - publish and push news to specific users

• Shared calendars - share events with members

• Multiple calendars - overlay on to personal calendar to provide complete picture of events

• Alerts – opt to receive alerts when documents are added or changed

• Surveys – collect responses and feedback and display instantly as graphs

• Personal Online Learning Space• Compatibility with Mobile Technologies (AKS)• E-safety

What will SWGfL Merlin do?

Benefits For Teachers

• Single access to a range of resources that can be customised for the exact needs of pupils• Create and share teaching materials which can be accessed by students and colleagues anywhere and at anytime• Support supply teachers with access to cover work and lesson plans• Receive submissions of work from pupils• Manage your diary, personal file space and receive targeted news within your personalised desktop space• Opportunities to collaborate and share across departments,

schools, LA and SW region.

Benefits For Pupils

• Access learning materials outside lesson time and from a variety of locations • Store work and notes online for use in assignments, homework and revision, outside normal school hours• Work at own pace with the potential to access a wider choice of learning styles and tools in a more personalised work space• Create and share an online portfolio, including digital

photos and videos of performance as well as text• Submit work and assignments for marking or

discussion• Communicate, collaborate and participate in live

discussions and forums with other students and teachers within a moderated, e-safe environment

Benefits For Parents• Play a greater part in children's learning, where they have access to SWGfL Merlin from home• Support children in learning which takes place outside school• Share their child's online portfolio and view a showcase of their best work• Communicate more effectively with teachers, school administrators and others supporting their child's learning• Engage with wider school issues through online

communication and shared spaces• Become active partners with the school.• Be reassured that their child is working within an e-safe environment

Benefits for Admin/Managers

• Simplified creation and management of accounts, user names and passwords through MIS system

• Ability to share up-to-date management information such as attendance and attainment• Reduce the administrative burden on teachers by using transferable data• Enable communication within school and beyond, on a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many basis• Increase communication with parents.• Forge closer links with other schools and agencies both locally and regionally

Benefits for LA officers

• Create and share materials which can be accessed by colleagues anywhere and at anytime

• Support colleagues with targeted access to confidential documents and information

• Receive submissions of work from schools and colleagues

• Manage your diary, personal file space and receive targeted news within your personalised desktop space• Opportunities to collaborate and share across

departments, schools, LA and SW region

Points to consider

Is your connectivity reliable and fast enough for an Internet-based

system?

Do you have a budget to buy more equipment if needed?

Can your staff demonstrate an awareness and

confidence in the embedded use of ICT to support

teaching and learning ?

How will you ensure the security and safety of the users of the learning platform and their data?

Do you have a AUP written into your school improvement plan that

would cover SWGfL Merlin?

Do you have a sufficient hardware for easy access to SWGfL Merlin from various locations within the school and home?

Change Management Theory

Vision Skills Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Change=

Skills Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Confusion=

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Anxiety=

Vision Skills ResourcesActionPlan

Resistance=

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Frustration=

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Adapted from Knoster, T. (1991) Presentation at TASH Conference, Washington DC(Adapted by Knoster from Enterprise Group Ltd.)

If just one component is omitted the change experience becomes negative

Change Management Theory

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Change=

Skills Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Confusion=

Vision Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Anxiety=

Vision Skills ResourcesActionPlan

Resistance=

Vision Skills IncentivesActionPlan

Frustration=

Vision Skills Incentives Resources Treadmill=

Adapted from Knoster, T. (1991) Presentation at TASH Conference, Washington DC(Adapted by Knoster from Enterprise Group Ltd.)

If just one component is omitted the change experience becomes negative

The Matrix For Change

CHANGE Vision Skills Incentives ResourcesAction Plan

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Vision

Vision

Level 4• Individual staff are given the freedom to experiment, and to make decisions

about how to use SWGfL Merlin .

• No strategy is in place for training or implementation.

Level 3• Senior managers are aware of the potential impact of SWGfL Merlin on

teaching and learning when used effectively.

• They identify any skills gaps and create initial implementation plans.

Level 2

• Senior managers modify school/department development plans to maximise the potential benefits of embedding SWGfL Merlin in a department or across the school.

• Gaps in provision and future potential uses are identified.

Level 1

• Staffing needs and responsibilities in terms of e-learning opportunities are embedded in a long-term and wider ICT strategy, which is directly linked to the school development plan.

• Senior managers are constantly reviewing the use of SWGfL Merlin and the potential of future developments.

Skills

Skills

Level 4• Initial training has been undertaken by a small number of staff but there are

no plans and no time to cascade training in the school. • Use of SWGfL Merlin is not planned or monitored by SMT.

Level 3• Administrative staff use SWGfL Merlin to publish information to teachers.

• Most teachers are only using SWGfL Merlin to pick up information and are not incorporating it into teaching and learning.

Level 2• Some departments have cascaded training to all teachers and are planning

ways in which SWGfL Merlin can be used to support teaching and learning. • There is some limited student access.

Level 1

• SWGfL Merlin is used as part of the daily life of the school.• All teachers have received training and support.

• Students and parents are able to use SWGfL Merlin and there are regular planned opportunities to share skills and good practice.

Incentives

Incentives

Level 4• Teachers have access to ICT in classrooms but learning is self-guided. • Little technical support is available to teachers. No evaluation or monitoring

of practice is taking place.

Level 3

• Senior managers plan implementation of SWGfL Merlin with staff in key departments.

• Time is given for initial training.

• Technical support is available to staff.

Level 2• Training is available to all staff, and everyone feels ownership and

responsibility for embedding SWGfL Merlin in their teaching.

• Feedback from students is shared between teachers/departments.

Level 1

• Regular department meetings are used to share good practice and show different Spaces created by teachers.

• Lead teachers support colleagues’ professional development.• Implementation of SWGfL Merlin is a key area for CPD and time is given to

staff to develop their use.

Resources

Resources

Level 4• SWGfL Merlin is provisioned and everyone has access. • Use is ad hoc and not planned in a systematic way.

Level 3• Teachers can gain access to some of their teaching materials through

SWGfL Merlin and have the means to do so in their classrooms.• There is little use of SWGfL Merlin by students.

Level 2

• Plans are in place to support student use across the school. For students without access at home, there are opportunities to logon at different times of the day.

• There is a co-ordinated plan for upgrading hardware and developing additional software resources.

Level 1• SWGfL Merlin is used regularly and confidently by all teachers. • All students have access any time they need it.• An ongoing plan is in place to maximise any new technology.

Action Plan

Action Plan

Level 4• Individual teachers use SWGfL Merlin on an ad hoc basis, with little formal

training. • No goals and objectives are set out for the use of SWGfL Merlin .

Level 3

• An implementation plan is created and training needs are identified to support the plan.

• Some teachers are starting to explore SWGfL Merlin , but there is no planned use.

Level 2

• A training plan is in place to meet the needs of all teachers, with ICT skills objectives included their personal development plans.

• Use of SWGfL Merlin is planned. Activities and schemes of work are shared between teachers and held centrally on SWGfL Merlin .

Level 1

• Ongoing professional development plans are in place for teachers to share skills and good practice.

• Personal development plans are focused on improving learning processes and developing effective pedagogy with SWGfL Merlin .

Preparing For Change

Vision

Skills

Incentives

Resources

ActionPlan

How can SWGfL Merlin facilitate your school’s development plans?

What will give your staff the incentive to embed this technology into their daily routine?

Do you need any other resources in order to achieve your goals e.g. learner access?

How can you create and communicate an action plan that is aligned with school priorities?

Vision Skills Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Change=

Who will lead its integration into your plans and what skills do they need to do this?

Preparing For Change

Vision

Skills

Incentives

Resources

ActionPlan

How can SWGfL Merlin facilitate your school’s development plans?

What will give your staff the incentive to embed this technology into their daily routine?

Do you need any other resources in order to achieve your goals e.g. learner access?

How can you create and communicate an action plan that is aligned with school priorities?

Vision Skills Incentives ResourcesActionPlan

Change=

Who will lead its integration into your plans and what skills do they need to do this?

Define your aims

What are your current priorities for school improvement?

How can SWGfL Merlin support you in achieving these goals?

Planning - Vision

• Becta SRF is used coherently to bench mark school’s use of ICT across all activities

• Senior staff are committed and engaged and aware of change management process ahead of adopting SWGfL Merlin

• School recognises the required commitment in time and resource to support staff in developing their use of Merlin

• SWGfL Merlin forms an integral part of school improvement plan

Planning - Skills

• Liaise with your LA, other early adopters and identify key staff

• Identify small steps and quick wins

• Plan deliver of training and support for key personnel

• Establish criteria for success and define review dates to monitor progress

Planning - Other

•Ensure MIS data is correct and maintained

•Ensure e-safety plans and procedures are in place

Finding out more

For further formation and updates regarding SWGfL Merlin

• Visit the SWGfL websitewww.swgfl.org.uk/services/learning_platforms

• Subscribe to the SWGfL mailing listwww.swgfl.org.uk/news_and_events/mailinglist.asp

• Contact you LA SWGfL Merlin key contact

My First Place

My First Place

Activities can be enlarged for easier display and use.

Graphics Tool

A free form graphic creation tool which saves the picture to the pictures folder.

Teachers can add pictures to the folders and add comments to pupils work.

Diary

Entries can be seen through choosing the appropriate day.

Teachers can add entries to the diary area and add comments to pupils entries.

Folders

Pictures, MyWords (files), Sound and multimedia files can be accessed through the folders area.

This is defined as “My” and “School” folders allowing teachers to provide content for pupils. Teachers will be able to add content to these areas through their “MyPlace” accounts.

Virtual Books

www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin

• Combines pictures, words, sounds, multimedia files

• Supports collaboration• Improves home-school links• Showcases collections of individual

or group work• Publish to class, school, parents and

even the region if appropriate

SWGfL Merlin

www.swgfl.org.uk/merlin

On-line Portfolio

All pupils and staff have an on-line portfolio which they can share with staff, parents and selected classmates.

Shared Places may be set up for any group of users, for any purpose:

•Curriculum

•Pastoral

•Extra-curricular activities

•Collaboration with other schools or outside agencies

Our Places-Scenarios

The owner or administrator of the shared place can set the membership and level of access.

They are ideal for storing confidential information.

Our Places-Scenarios

Sharing and support across

•Clusters

•LA

•South west region

Our Places-Scenarios

Calendars

•Shared calendars can be added in each Shared Place including whole school and LA

•A user’s personal calendar allows them to merge relevant calendars

Blogs

Tools for communication

Surveys and discussion forums

Tools for communication

Targeted news

Tools for collaboration

Shared document libraries with workflow

Wikis