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I have just completed my regular TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning) update for work and thought it might perhaps be of wider interest in terms of the variety of tasks involved.

My role as Technology Enhanced Learning Officer involves a combination of the following duties:

• Local Systems Administrator for the VLE  (Blackboard Learn 9.1)
• Local Systems Administrator for the university ePortfolio system (PebblePad)
• Provision of user support and training to both university staff and students for the VLE, PebblePad, social media, and any other technology applications that staff may wish to explore  with a view to incorporating them into their learning and teaching – blogs, wikis and use of video and podcasting are all current examples of such technologies being trialled in the university
• Create, develop and upload interactive learning materials  – in consultation with Project Managers – for use by learners on WBL Projects.
• These can then be incorporated into a webfolio on the PebblePad ePortfolio software to enable learners to work  through the modules and also produce their own CV / Job Description / Learning Plan / APEL portfolio on PebblePad, making use of the excellent forms and profiler in PebblePad which are ideally suited to such a purpose.
• These webfolios  – which are personal to each learner – can then be published to an internal “gateway” within the system which acts as “tutor space” and allows tutors to access assignments and other work securely online. This is all supplemented by a wealth of online resources available to learners via the Blackboard VLE.
• Support the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Committee in technical matters such as creating and administering a wiki for all staff to collaborate on the Learning and Teaching Strategy document and in conference /workshop organisation and arrangements as needed.
• Explore and examine relevant uses of the iPad / iPhone and other mobile devices  – for work-based learners in particular. Thus far, I have noted that the iPad is ideally suited to working on the move, being light and easily carried in a large handbag or small briefcase/rucksack etc. Learners can access all course materials in Blackboard and PebblePad via the Safari web browser on the iPad and PebblePad also has its own iPhone / iPad app which can be downloaded from iTunes costing £1.79. I am informed that PebblePad 3 is due for release later this year which will afford greater functionality to both the software itself and the iPad app.
• Learners can take advantage of the app or the web browser on the iPad and can make notes and additions to their portfolios wherever they happen to be – at work, at home, on the train and so on. The iPad can also be used for all general business needs such as email, calendar, diary, report writing, note taking  providing the portable, paperless office in fact – which may well be an additional factor in justifying it’s purchase. As a general  tablet pc, it also incorporates many features such as photo galleries, games, music, videos, all of which may help to unwind after a busy day studying and working!
• Project Manager for a university pilot project on SMS text messaging using Txt Tools software – which is just about to begin. This may be of benefit to schools/departments who wish to contact learners simply and quickly and have them text back if so desired. There is no cost to the learner for receiving texts from the university and many people nowadays have bundles of free texts within their phone plans to reply, so might perhaps find this method of communication easier than email when out and about.
• Attendance at a range of relevant conferences, workshops and events across the UK in order to keep abreast of the latest developments within the sector and regularly participate in  the highly active  Community of Practice that exists within the global educational technology sector. This is supplemented and nurtured by daily interaction with an online CoP using social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as face to face meetings and video conferences with the Pan-Wales TEL Community when possible.

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