Learning Support Services (LSS)

Manager: Eric Robertson
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Learning Support Services (LSS)

Manager: Eric Robertson

The LSS team was formed in July 2011. The team looks after the support, configuration, reporting, workflow, security and other functional aspects of a wide range of learning and teaching, library and repository systems. The team reports to the PVC (Learning Teaching and Quality) and provides support to LTQ and the wider University. The main categories of applications to do with learning systems are; learning management systems, assessment based systems, social networking and other academic tools, electronic publishing and digital resources/repositories and library based systems.

Introduction

On the 10th September, the functional and support members of LSS finally came together in their new rooms on the 2nd floor in Y Block. This joining of the Support and Functional teams in the one area has been quite an exciting time for the team, particularly in getting to know what skills/strengths each team member brings to the group. It has also allowed members to up-skill themselves in the many and various Learning and Teaching systems the group supports for USQ. It has also been a time of review and consolidation on a number of fronts, in preparation for the pending start of the

"Integrated StudyDesk Project" and the massive change in technology and platform brought about by the USQStudyDesk Upgrade that occurred in 2012. The Library has also been very active, building on its repository and library management expertise by the implementation of a trial digital collection and the successful beta installation of the Summon system (library catalogue discovery system). This will further position the University to include other learning and teaching systems into the discovery platform in the future.


Projects – completed and ongoing

Moodle 2 upgrade

  • Testing, training, and coordination of roll-out with lecturers in pilot courses
  • Development, testing and implementation of mobile theme for course delivery
  • Migration of courses from 1.9 – (included assisting in the development of course checker to identify problematic links or resources)
  • Identification, investigation and testing of problematic WIKI
  • Developed work around for problematic Turnitin integration (ongoing)
  • Transition to PeopleSoft for defining learning system roles
  • Testing and troubleshooting of bugs that arose in general use of Moodle

  • EAM – Electronic Assignment Management

    LSS was involved in testing, identifying functionality and deficiencies, and giving feedback in collaboration with a consortium of various universities and professional organisations in the development of a new assessment tool within Moodle.

  • Blackboard Collaborate (Virtual classroom software) implementation

    This tool replaced Wimba, which was successfully used across USQ over previous years. Blackboard Collaborate was implemented for the start of S3 2012 and appropriate support materials are being developed by LSS to assist lecturers in the efficient use of the software.

  • Camtasia Relay 3 upgrade

    Testing, creating support documentation and ongoing technical support

  • eLE – electronic Learning Environments

    eLE is a one-stop-shop for support and training resources for the USQ Learning and Teaching systems. LSS assisted in the creation of website and contributed many resources

  • Mahara (ePortfolio)

    Testing, creating support documentation and giving support for students and staff in the use of Mahara.

  • DiReCt Upgrade

    Successfully completed an upgrade to the Equella instance that sits under DiReCt.

  • Equella

    Development, testing and trialling of a course resource repository for integration with the USQStudyDesk.

  • ITSM – IT Service Management

    Trialling and implementing a job request/tracking system for support and development of tasks within LSS.

  • Learning Innovation Teaching Enhancement (LITE) team support

    LSS were involved in a number of LITE team projects throughout – advising on the use of Moodle tools and training/assisting Learning Resource Officer's and lecturers in their use.


New projects

  • Mahara 1.5 (ePortfolio) upgrade – to be implemented for S1 2013
  • Camtasia 4 upgrade – to be implemented for S1 2013
  • Moodle 2.3 upgrade – to be implemented for S1 2013
    • Mahoodle integration (integration between Moodle and Mahara)
  • Camtasia Studio implementation
  • Implementation of a new Staff portal based on Moodle technologies
  • CMA review – identifying courses with CMA quizzes that can be transferred into the Moodle quiz tool

  • Review of the ICE (Integrated Content Environment) and how it will exist in the new USQ digital first direction
  • Equella implementation for course resources
  • Implementation of the new Summon system in beta (Library catalogue discovery system)
  • Institutional imaging on class set of iPads in the Library – for managing, deploying and synchronising iOS devices.
  • Assist in procurement of mobile workstations on wheels with integrated technology (Library)
  • Implementing a new USQ Mobile library website (Library)
  • Assisted Marketing on the development and testing of the USQ mobile website


Reports created

In addition to the above LSS has developed the following four reports for the PVC (LTQ)

  • LTQ Mobile devices report
  • LTQ Mobile lifecycle report

  • LTQ Mobile strategy white paper
  • Justification of LSS equipment and assets