WP3: Service Adaptation & Customisation

Part 2: Learning Zone Design and Content Creation

Aims of Discover Learning Service

Informed By Project Brief and Stakeholder Needs Analysis3 broad aims:To help Carers use technology in ways that:

1. Support access to Local Information and Services via effective signposting;

2. Enhance ability to safely share experiences and gain support from others;

3. Assist Carers to support themselves and to enhance their care skills.

What we know about carers?

Carer Population CharacteristicsHighly Heterogeneous Populations of Learners representing:

Different access to technologies

Different internet connection speeds or non at all

Varying experience and skills with digital technologies

Different topic interests

Carer Population Characteristics

Generally very little time to learn

Varying step on and step off points

Little access to support and facilitation when learning

Varying levels of disability, many elderly carers

How has this impacted on learning design?

Impact on Design of Discover Learning Non-linear course design

- create a Learning Zone rather than a hierarchical course built around linear learning pathways

Optimise for low bandwidth

Use of Icons to promote accessibility and navigation

Impact on Design of Discover Learning Make clear the channels

Discover technology can be accessed from

Accessibility standards compliant

Adopt Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced levels of learning activity to cater for different competencies and learning needs

Impact on Design of Discover Learning Multiple automated

assessment points – certification generation;

Ever-present access to Help menu

Make learning activities optional but still provide access to resources

Support and encourage ongoing user contributions to resource and learning activity design e.g. My Map

Subject and Skills Focus

Emphasis: Initial focus will overtly reflect Carer interests rather than Digital Literacy Skills. Informed by our stakeholder consultations Discover learning addresses four areas of skills and knowledge development:

Accessing quality web based information to increase knowledge of various topic areas

Using technology to communicate with others Using technology to enhance care skills Using technology to evidence skills and experience

Accessing Quality Web Based Information

Topics include: Digital Skills, Dementia, Assistive Technologies, Moving and Handling, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke, Finance,

Connecting for Care

Using technology in ways that help Carers to share experiences and

communicate.

Enhanced Care Skills

Games, simulations and resources to support skills development in areas of

relevance to Carers.

Making Your Skills and Experience Count

Evidencing skills and experience, creating a CV and preparing for interview.

Areas of Learning

Navigation to Learning Areas within Learning Zone

Overview of Content and Learning Activity Focus

Within Each Learning Area

Accessing Quality Web Based Information Topics include: Digital Skills, Finance, Assistive Technologies, Moving and Handling, Dementia, COPD,

Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke

• Scoop.it technology used to curate collections of high quality web based materials.

• Scoop.it sites organised around topics relevant to Carers

• Designed learning activities based on three levels of Carer competency/experience

• Quizzes to support self assessment and certificate generation

Scoop.it sites and topics

49 Scoop.it sites created, branded and linked to web, fb and twitter across all pilots.

Three topics common to all pilots; Digital Skills Dementia Using Technology to help Carers Care

Choice

Choice of level

Activity Description

Scoop.it topic widget for Basic Digital Skills

Self Assessment leading to certificate completion

Connecting for Care

Using technology in ways that help Carers to share experiences and communicate.

• Introduces Carers to using discussion forums in Moodle (Beginner)

• Introduce Carers to existing web 2.0 Carer sites e.g. twitter, facebook and forums associated with Carer organisations (Intermediate)

• Helps Carers to set up their own communities using Mahara (Experienced)

• Provide Support to Carers in using web 2.0 safely.

• Quizzes for self assessment and certificate generation

• Some online facilitation will be required

Enhanced Care Skills

Games, simulations and resources to support skills development in areas of relevance to

Carers.

• Games based learning using VCC to support “Falls Prevention”, “Using Assistive Technology in the Home”, and two additional scenarios

• Mini Course based on “Dementia”

• Activities and self assessment for different levels

VCC Platform Enhancements

Reduced load time Optimised Artwork Language selection Xml schema to support

localisation and translation

1st scenario complete 2nd scenario 70% complete 3rd Scenario “Dementia”

5%

Risk of Falls VCC Scenario

Artwork for Assistive Technologies in Home Scenario

Making My Skills and Experience Count

Evidencing skills and experience, creating a CV and preparing for interview.

• Introductory activities based on e-portfolios and Mahara (Beginner)

• Creating a CV in Mahara (Intermediate)

• Collecting evidence of skills and experience using Mahara (Experienced)

Demonstrationhttp://www.discover4carers.eu/?q=front