Overview

Background

 This project is internally driven, following the identification from within Learning Services of a need for a self-service method to allow users to discover an overview of the Technology Enhanced Learning Services (TELS)  available to them and to get some initial guidance as to what might best serve their purpose.

Scope

 The scope of this project is to produce a self-help tool to help potential and existing TELS users become aware of the services that are available to meet their learning and teaching aims. It is designed to be a bridging layer to matching the needs of the user with the relevant information about the services and increasing the visibility of the existing resources (predominantly on the website http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/services/learning-technology) .

The design of this tool will be user-centric with frequent usability testing undertaken to produce a tool that is simple and straightforward to use. Usability will be a key focus throughout this project.

The primary audience for this tool will be academic staff and students. There will need to be an on-going involvement of TELS staff to keep the tool up to date with information about the services.

The project will also involve the publicity and raising awareness of the availability of the tool prior to launch and for around 3 months following release.

Objectives

 By the end of the project a person will be able to discover the most relevant TELS for their particular need using a simple online tool designed with a focus on usability.

By the end of the project a user of our services should have an online method to provide feedback regarding a service.

By the end of the project service providers within TELS will have a method of managing the feedback provided by users.

In the 12 months following on from release the tool will continue to be maintained and used.

The tool will be integrated with the rest of the services supported within the team.

Deliverables

 Deliverables will be:

·         A database to store information about TELS

·         An online search interface that links to onward to relevant resources

·         Feedback system to allow users to rate and comment on the services

·         A frame work for support and maintenance

Benefits

Increased awareness of TELS to the audience of staff and students, which should reduce the reliance of external services that duplicate supported services (due in large part to the lack of awareness)

Users of this tool are able to access our services without intervention

Enhance student experience by helping them discover services that they can use independently.

Connecting people throughout the Academic community through case studies and feedback system

Gaining greater understanding of how users experience the various TELS through a systematic feedback system which could lead to service enhancements.

Success Criteria

Initial benchmarking will be undertaken to give us baseline usage figures for comparison.

·         By providing accurate self-service route to information this tool will contribute to the existing IS TEL KPI’s for increased take up of the services.

·         5% of the university population have accessed this tool in the 12 month since going Live

·         10% conversion of use of this tool into a visit to the IS web pages in the 12 month since going Live

·         5% of users have contributed feedback in the 12 month since going Live