Learning Design Bootcamp 2019 #ldbootcampuk
A post by Dr Maria Toro-Troconis, Head of Academic Research and Quality, CEG Digital @mtorotro
On the 18th July we had the last face to face session of the Learning Design Bootcamp 2019. The Learning Design Bootcamp offered an intensive three months programme for UK Learning Technologists and academics engaging in the design and development of a 15 or 30 credit module of their choice. See more
The Learning Design Bootcamp Committee consisted jointly of academics and Heads of Learning Technology from different UK universities. They were responsible for the selection of the participants as well as the general support, delivery and evaluation of the Bootcamp.
Four teams were selected from the following universities:
- The University of Warwick
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- University East London
- Solent University
WHAT DID THE BOOTCAMP INVOLVE?
The programme started in May 2019 and ended in July 2019. The teams were supported by mentors in the design and development of their modules following the CoDesigns Learning Design Framework.
The Bootcamp started with an intensive day at in March 2019 and another intensive day at the end of the Bootcamp hosted by Dr Julie Voce – Head of Educational Technology, Learning Enhancement and Development at City, University of London. At least one member of the team (Learning Technologist or academic) had to commit to attend both days.
There were 5 Lead Learning Technologists, 3 Learning Technologists and 2 academics present at the first face to face meeting in March 2019. The teams were asked about their motivations to engage in the Learning Design Bootcamp. The key motivaticators presented in the wordcloud below highlight professional development and collaboration as the main drivers to engage in the Bootcamp.
During the Bootcamp, the teams designed and developed their modules supported remotely by their mentors. At the last face to face meeting in July 2019, the teams presented their final designs and developments in their university’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Tim Neumann, Lecturer in Education & Technology and head of the UCL Institute of Education’s Learning Technologies Unit, was invited as guest speaker. Tim delivered an inspiring lecture talking about the Learning Designer as a tool to enable sharing of and communication about designs.
Tim discussed how designs can be taken forward within an organisational context, for example in terms of QA and costs, without unnecessarily restricting the variety of teaching methods and design frameworks. A panel of experts from the Learning Design and Learning Technology sectors evaluated the final designs and developments.
The panel of expert was comprised of: Professor Manuel Frutos-Perez from CEG Digital, Dr Julie Voce from City, University of London, Tim Neumann from UCL and Laura Coutts from CEG Digital.
Tim Neumann – Lecturer in Education & Technology and head of the UCL Institute of Education’s Learning Technologies Unit
WHO WON THE LEARNING DESIGN BOOTCAMP 2019?
The team from Manchester Metropolitan University won the Learning Design Bootcamp 2019.
Manchester Metropolitan University winner of the Learning Design Bootcamp 2019.
“The team showed a great level of engagement between the academics and the learning technologists and was a key strength in their presentation. The learning design aspects were clearly understood and demonstrated in the design of the module.”
LEARNING DESIGN BOOTCAMP 2020?
The Bootcamp Organising Committee will launch the next Bootcamp Call in September 2019. The Learning Design Bootcamp 2020 will be hosted by our winning team from Manchester Metropolitan University. If you’re interested in learning more about the Call 2020, keep an eye on the Learning Design Bootcamp page: https://learningdesignbootcamp.wordpress.com/call-2020/
The Bootcamp is free. The teams will need to cover their travelling and accommodation expenses.
LEARNING DESIGN RESEARCH
The activities and experiences of the teams have been followed by the Bootcamp research committee members and documented. The research carried out during the Bootcamp 2019 focused on the use of the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) as a method to identify the capabilities, opportunities and motivations of Learning Technologists and academics when engaging in the design of online/blended learning activities. The BCW model has proved to be an effective method in the context of Learning Design to analyse the behaviour of both academics designing online and blended solutions in Higher Education and Learning Technologists working with them, providing support and guidance as part of intervention design.
The initial findings from this research will be presented at ALT-C 2019.
Dr Maria Toro-Troconis – Head of Academic Research and Quality – Cambridge Education Group Digital – mtroconis@ceg-uk.com
If you enjoyed reading this article we invite you to join the Association for Learning Technology (ALT) as an individual member, and to encourage your own organisation to join ALT as an organisational or sponsoring member.