Implementing a personal online learning space – Kent’s approach.
By spring 2008 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) requires Local Authorities to enable schools access to a personalised online learning space with the potential to support an e-portfolio. Kent local authority has been given the responsibility (and the funding) for ensuring that this initial infrastructure element of a learning platform is available to your school.
Kent Learning Zone is the Kent Local Authority’s infrastructure solution based on the latest Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Learning Gateway architecture, which draws user data directly from SIMS. Schools retain purchase choice of a 'Virtual Learning Environment' (VLE) solution that best fits their educational vision, when they are ready to meet the 2010 target for a full learning platform using ‘single sign-on’ interoperability!
A personal online learning space infrastructure (KLZ) forms part of a wider set of technologies called a learning platform. It supports learning by providing access to:
· tools - for communication and collaboration including email, messaging, forums, wiki and blogs and for creating, developing and managing digital content
· an individual area for each learner (and member of staff) where they can store their work and personalise its layout to meet their needs
· safe and secure, anytime, any place access.
To keep up to date on Kent’s developments three main sites provide regular updates;
www.eiskent.co.uk?learningzone
http://www.clusterweb.org.uk/advisory/ict_learningplat.cfm
Please contact EIS eis.support@kent.gov.uk if you would like further details following cluster updates during the 2007 Term1 Headteacher Breakfast Briefings, the full presentation is available on the above sites.
Adapted from Becta’s online news item October 2007 article.