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Degree Apprenticeships

Project aims and objectives

We developed aims and objectives which would ensure successful completion of our project but which would also provide us with strong foundations for future blended learning design and development for degree apprenticeships and traditional degree delivery. Specifically, these were to:

  1. establish the University of Suffolk understanding of blended learning,
  2. establish a framework for the development of blended learning study programmes, beyond those directly associated with this project,
  3. work with regional employer partners on the development of degree apprenticeships,
  4. write and build three blended learning degree programmes for Levels 4-6 in Nurse, Police Constable and Social Worker, with at least one third of delivery being outside of the classroom,
  5. to disseminate good practice and lunch new courses through a series of local and regional events.
     

Project management

We adopted a 'One Page Project Plan' (OPPP) model of project management as it allowed us to manage various streams with a consistent approach, and a quick and visual way of being able to track progress. Each stream was managed by a sub 'OPPP' which fed into the overarching plan. 

Information on this approach can be found in guides such as:

  • Campbell, C.A. & Campbell, M. 2012, The New One-Page Project Manager: Communicate and Manage Any Project With A Single Sheet of Paper, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
     

Project governance

Operational aspects of the project, as recorded and monitored through the OPPPs were managed through an operational group with representation from academics who would be leading on subject related resources, and those who would provide hands on support in designing for online and blended learning. It also included representation from our Directorates of Finance and External Relations. This group met on a monthly basis, with weekly meetings taking place between academics and the learning designer. 

A Project Board, chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor was convened on a quarterly basis. Membership of this board included the Project Manager, as well as Deans of School, employer partners and the Principals of the colleges which form our Learning Network. 
 

Challenges

During the academic year 2016-2017, the University was in the final stages of a review of our institutional virtual learning environment (VLE). We wanted to ensure that our VLE would provide our students with a modern, inclusive and engaging learning experience, and awarded contracts to Desire2Learn (D2L) in December 2017. 

The timeframes of the review and implementation of our VLE has meant we have taken a very flexible, even 'system agnostic' approach to content design while we finalised details and undertook our own training in the functionality of the newly appointed platform. It has also provided us with the opportunity to work directly with D2L's creative design team to template content and take full advantage of the new tools available to us.