Portal 2Dedicated LLS suites for online communications

by Jim HarrisProposal to re-utilise space within the LLS to support staff in the development of skills and content using audio/video capture techniques, as well as collaborative opportunities online in following the Direction of Travel defining our new Teaching and Learning model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOwbqaoJUoc

Enter the Portal – a dedicated suite for online communications

In 2014, support was granted to create a dedicated video suite within a storage space in Cottesbrooke, now known as the Portal. It’s use was to allow the following• Generating tutor’s own video/audio content• Student remote contact and support (privacy and confidentiality)• EWO staff remote contact and support• Collaborating online (Video Conferences - remote attendance,

engaging in (and contributing to) webinars in a professional manner, not from bedroom or open office)

R1.13 Ground FloorConnecting corridor between LLS and Sulgrave

Located beside the server room, this room currently has paint pots, a disaster kit, three fire kit boxes, picture frames/room number Perspex holder, power sockets for desks and the stands for the flatscreen monitors mounted outside the T-Pod

Strengths:- Power socket (old) present in the room- Quiet transit areaWeaknesses- The door has no glass panel

Adjustments needed:- Removal of existing storage (potentially to the storage room above this

room)- Power socket upgraded- Replacement door (glass panel/code entry door) – VC Fund- Remove shelving, repaint, install small desk- Recording in progress external sign- Desk and small lights/webcam installation

Unnamed room – First floorLocated to the right of the laptop vending machines

This space is currently beside the workspace area on the first floor, and being used for storage of dismantled shelving units.

This space has the capacity to store the existing BusyBooth which would offer an acoustic soundproofing for the room.

The existing shelving units could potentially move to the haunted space behind Holdenby Lecture theatre (R1.13 – no one had keys for this space so could not investigate)

Strengths:- Wide and deep space large enough for BusyBooth- Clean/fresh decorWeaknesses- The door has no glass panel- Opens onto open area- No power (a terminated power point is present)

Adjustments needed:- Removal of existing storage (potentially to the storage room

above this room)- Power socket installed- Replacement door (glass panel/code entry door) – VC Fund- Recording in progress external sign- Relocation of BusyBooth into the space

Mystery Cupboard

R1.23

Ray Reath Cupboard (this space is between the Records room and the library – not owned by Records)

R1.24

Management of the space

• The plan is that these two spaces be registered as bookable in the same way that the CfAP breakout rooms are, with staff being able to book and self manage their access.

• No equipment other than a standard IT Services specified webcam and lights would be in the room. It would be a BYOD space, meaning it is staff’s own responsibility to source their device and seek support from IT Services for any issues (rather than LLS staff).

• Maximum bookable time slot is 1 hour – this is to encourage staff to NOT record a full 1 hour session in the room, and the nature of the room to encourage staff to produce short quick 6 – 15 minute pieces to camera (based on the research reviewed by Rob Farmer).

• These spaces could be made available to students who may need to record video as part of their assessment (this is subject to agreement, and also in response to students wishing to book the Portal – this may be secondary due to the maintenance of the space, use of the space for “phoning home”).

• Use of the room and outputs would be reviewed and form research into the use of small dedicated workzones in order to provide evidence of potential new ways of working and supporting students off campus (PAT support, Interviews, Remote attendance on Panels at other Institutions). Commercial Video Booths (such as the V-Pod V1 £10,000) could be viable alternatives at Waterside, however the proof of concept and staff uptake/training in the appropriate use of these spaces is the intention of this project.

Logistics and outputs

Thank you for

watching and

listening