Provision of Virtual Learning Environment

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom

PROVISION OF VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Open
Contract type: Supply contract
Contracting authority: Workers` Educational Association. Web: (T Wiles / D Sutton Jones)
, CF47 8UL.
Object of the contract
The awarding authority are currently out to tender for the provision of a Virtual learning Environment
Suppliers that would like to take part in this tender process are invited to “express an interest” upon which will be given access to the full tendering documentation through this e-tendering system. Please see “Additional information” on how to apply for this contract.
please allow sufficient time to make your return as late returns will not be permitted.
Any questions relating to this tender should be made via correspondence on the In-tend website.
Tender description: One of awarding authority strategic objectives and priorities is to better integrate digital into its teaching and learning to improve the education quality and experience and to make sure that the awarding authority continues to remain relevant and up to date and attract a diverse range of students in today’s ever increasing technological world.
The awarding authority has had a VLE (Weave) previously, which was primarily focussed on staff. There was a fairly low take up of Weave, anecdotally in part due to low promotion, time, and lack of development to expand its content and features, as well as it being very difficult for users and developers.
Several tests have already been completed with an online learning or digital approach to delivering a course, most notably with the use of Zoom the WEA’s teleconferencing facility, which have proved to be very successful, and a trial of online learning using Zoom and the flexible bulletin board Padlet.
There is a need to continue to develop a digital approach to learning, including blended, online and taster courses, tutor and student forums and sharing spaces, including access to file repository (could be outside the VLE) and tools to support course planning, the ability for students to upload their own materials, and track their progress and for digital learning to become fully integrated as part of the awarding authority’s provision going forwards.
The promise of digital gives us opportunities to be together in ways we have never been able to before, building education communities in digital ways. Our vision of a VLE is a stable platform enabling us to deliver and manage education; communicate within a teaching community which can develop and share resources; deliver teaching and training in ways which enable students to work collaboratively and link with groups of interest; support the Membership of the WEA as volunteers.
There needs to be a phased implementation to enable the WEA to continue to learn and understand the best approach for different audiences. The initial scope of this project will focus on students as the primary recipients of the learning, and must support the need to attract new students to the WEA. The project recognises that this is only achievable as long as tutors are able easily to engage and use the VLE and find it a useful source for sharing of best practice and ideas, since tutors will be the key means by which we reach new students. Therefore there will also need to be a focus on usability and on engaging tutors in the development process.
The VLE will also be a key vehicle for staff and tutor training. The WEA’s wide coverage of England and Scotland as a learning provider means that our staff and tutors have a wide geographic spread. The VLE provides an obvious platform to enable widespread training and support for staff and tutors to take place virtually. The forms of training will replicate the methods and approaches identified below for students, e.g. VLE courses, video conferencing and asynchronous modules, both designed by the WEA and linked to external training. Records of training must synchronise or export to WEA HR systems. The VLE should facilitate and record the marketing and recruitment of training.
Deliverables and primary objectives will be to ensure that we have a limited provision available for students, staff and tutors at the end of the project, including online, blended and taster learning opportunities and the means to track and record student progress, and the potential for e-portfolios. The VLE will provide the means to engage tutors in the further development of activities for students, and in approaches which will enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
CPV: 48190000, 80420000,
Administrative Information
WEA 46
Date documents can be requested until 30.4.2018 (08:00)
For further information on the above contract please visit Web:
Other Information
Award : 13 June 2018
Contract Start : 01 August 2018
Contract End : 31 July 2021
Customer : Workers Educational Association
Process : Category Non OJEU
TKR-2018324-EX-711600