1b. Operational Issues: Technical knowledge and ability in the use of learning technology
Details
Requirement: Technical knowledge and ability in the use of learning technology
You should show that you have used a range of learning technologies. These might include web pages, PowerPoint, Virtual Learning Environments, Computer-Aided Assessment, programming languages and so on.
Evidence might include copies of certificates (originals not needed) from relevant training courses, screenshots of your work, a note from academic or support staff who have worked with you or, if appropriate, confirmation that the work is your own from your line manager.
Description and reflection
I have been responsible for the development of several different customised offline versions of our in-house learning object creation (LOC) Tool. I had to add a number of features for colleagues within Modern Languages and Linguistics, such as Asian language support. I also had to design a new set of stylesheets for use by colleagues I work closely with. My latest developments on the tool have involved HTML5 activities being coded directly within the Tool - matching exercises and drag-and-drop tasks had previously required Flash. This latest development was in response to both the problems faced due to certain companies removing support for Flash and the need for greater accessibility for users. However, due to the nature of some of the learning objects we produce I had to provide significant backwards compatibility (back to Internet Explorer 6).
The LOC Tool was originally developed in collaboration with LLAS, who have developed an online version of the Tool. Although my primary focus has been on the offline version, I also provided support for debugging the online version.
Developing the Tool has provided me with experience of rapid, agile development to provide end-users with the required functionality. It has also enhanced my user interface development skills, allowing me to see the application deployed and in use. Teacher users report technical issues when they arise, and when this happens I make changes as quickly as possible. In this way the tool is continually being developed, and I learn in the process.
Evidence
One particular feature I added to the tool was a new 'dropdown gapfill' task type. This allows the developer to add one or more dropdown lists within a sentence, paragraph or other text, selecting from a user-defined list of options. This is an improvement as the only previous options were to have a dropdown list on the line after the text, or to have a gapfill where the user had to manually type answers from a list.
Figure 1b-1: Dropdown list options page
The following samples from the EAP Toolkit and the Study Skills Toolkit were also developed using the offline version of the Tool. These samples demonstrate the new HTML5 and Javascript-based features of the LOC Tool:
Practising listening skills for lectures
Introduction to describing graphs and tables
Using paraphrase in writing
Managing your study time