A poster presented at the Association of Learning Technology Conference, 11-13 September 2018

1. From little acorns…growing a
learning technology culture
The Royal Agricultural University has been at
the forefront of agricultural education and a key
contributor to the land-based sector for more
than 170 years. Today, the RAU has more than
1,200 students from over 40 different countries
at its historic campus in Cirencester,
Gloucestershire. Recently the University has
embarked on positive digital change. This has
been sparked in part by a successful win of
HEFCE catalyst funding which will allow the
university to develop four blended learning
courses to be ready for delivery in 2019 and
2020. The catalyst project is in collaboration with
the University College of Estate Management
(UCEM) and the Countryside and Community
Research Institute (CCRI) from the University of
Gloucestershire.
Getting the soil right
How small conversations can lead to big
visions; support through external
networks (Jisc, ALT, other institutions);
identifying existing best practice;
engaging students in the journey;
understanding requirements (Jisc digital
tracker); importance of pedagogy;
convincing management.
Sowing the seeds
Developing a digital strategy; reviewing
VLE use (Jisc VLE review); encouraging
diverse approaches to learning and
teaching such as video (Panopto); making
online the place to be (from resource lists
to student portals); building staff digital
capability through taking training to where
it matters, a university app.
Watching things grow
Using institutional drivers; thinking
about data; nurturing digital champions
(staff and students); normalising
practice; building the team (new
learning technologists); creating
policies; digital classrooms; future plans
(VR and online assessment),extending
moodle.
Digital Transformation at RAU
https://digitalrau.wordpress.com/
Royal Agricultural University
https://www.rau.ac.uk/
Fragmentary
change
Grassroots -
practitioners
Top level -
management
ALT Conference 2018,
11-13 September, Manchester
Marieke Guy
Learning Technologist
Email: marieke.guy@rau.ac.uk
Twitter: mariekeguy
Systemic
change