ABC to VLE was two-year Erasmus+ funded project that UCL led in collaboration with 12 partner institutions from across Europe (Sept 18 to Aug 20). For an idea of the scope see the partner videos from the three transnational meetings.
The main project outputs are available on this website via the following links:
ABC to VLE Toolkit
The primary output of the Erasmus + ABC to VLE is a learning design and staff development Toolkit. The Toolkit is a ‘pack’ of seven guides with accompanying resources. The seven short guides, presented as an online resource, provide a cohesive narrative thread linking the various components of ABC LD method. The real value in the Toolkit however is the resource collection; tools, examples, variations and evaluations produced during the project and via the wider ABC LD community. These resources are linked from the Guides to enable those interested in the method to ‘dive deeper’ at any point into specific resources, examples and ideas.
ABC to VLE Toolkit Resource Pack
Workshop tools such as the workshop presentation (Powerpoint), worksheets, A1 storyboard sheet, additional online activities, workshop facilitation plan, workshop checklist (for facilitators reference) and other instructions. The ‘Base’ workshop format was usually localised to institutional contexts. Variants are included in the Toolkit, why and how the changes have been made as well as the outcomes. The workshop is often supplemented by pre- and postworkshop events and activities and ‘extensions’ included, such as mapping learning outcomes, competencies and so on. Local variants are included in the current (second) edition of the Toolkit which integrates localisation guides for country and institutional contexts. See also https://abc-ld.org/abc-design-to-implementation (localisation ideas) and https://abc-ld.org/tool-wheel/ (technology mapping).
Includes 25 case studies of the implementation of ABC to VLE rapid learning design methodology across 13 institutions. The aim of the case studies was to pilot the widest possible range of new pedagogical applications and so to build up a broad experience among participants and create a number of good examples for others. Though the case studies the project was able to share and improve practice among the partners and the wider educational community and also provide a practical element to enhance the Toolkit.
Evaluation was a key part of the project. Participant feedback came from 62 of the workshops; 344 initial survey responses; 42 follow up (longitudinal) responses and 62 facilitator responses. Two summary posters and a full 84 page report, based on the surveys are downloadavle. The outcomes were very positive. 74% of workshop participants found ABC facilitated discussion, 53% that it impacted on course design and 26% that it helped implement local strategies. 44% reported that participation increased their confidence as teachers.
ABC to VLE Workshop Localisation
The project focused on localisation of the method to local contexts and technologies. This outcome lists additional ideas for how to support staff to move their ABC Learning Designs online. It links both to the Toolkit and the ABC LD Tool Wheel (aka App Wheel). The wheel(s) map the tools used by academics within a particular institution to the six ABC learning types. Several downloadable versions are available.
A number of ABC community groups have been established in particular countries and regions. Colleagues are invited to join one or more groups via links on this page. The ABC International community group welcomes members from all over the world. Recordings of online events and webinars during the project are an invaluable additional resource.
In response to the Covid crisis, the project team and wider community gathered examples of how ABC LD workshops could be run online examples. This section includes ideas, accounts and downloadable resources, an continues to be curated and updated after the project.
Partner activities
The project partners were involved in the following activities:
- Schedule local ABC workshop(s) and provide evaluation data from participants and as well as facilitator feedback.
- Tweet photos & provide information to the UCL project team to aid in project dissemination and reporting.
- Develop and revise local country versions of ABC materials (including translations), so that they better align to national educational cultures and drivers.
- Review and input to the development of technology support to help staff move their ABC Learning Design to Implementation in the VLE / LMS (from partners not translating ABC materials into local languages).
- Publish case studies (using the provided template) about how ABC has been localised and the outcomes for staff.
- Run events to disseminate the ABC workshop to external institutions. E.g. a local ABC workshop available to nearby institutions, conference presentation, webinars etc.
- Participate in the development of community groups within each partner’s country or region.
- Contribute digital content, including blog posts, Twitter posts, photos, videos, webinars (recorded), to aid project dissemination.
- Some partners contribute to joint paper publication(s).
As Associate Partners, the University of Oxford are also contributing to some project outputs, with a focus on how ABC can be used to support the migration to Canvas Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Along with the University of Amsterdam they will bring an additional perspectives on how the ABC learning design method can be used to support learning design within Canvas.
The majority of other partners use Moodle as their institutional VLE, otherwise known as a Learning Management Systems (LMS). Some partners support multiple VLEs and will be able to share their perspectives on how ABC can be modified to suit these.