Welcome to SWGfL Merlin

The future of learning is here!

What is SWGfL Merlin?

SIMS

Your MIS

Simplified Sign On Service

UserDirectory

Inter-operability data interchange

Library

Space

Community

Personal

Virtual Desktop

VLE

Your VLEBlog

Wiki

Forums etc.

Tools

E.g.

Espresso

Sam Learning

Knowledge Box

SWGfL Content

Purchased Content

Big Day OutuLearnAudio Networks……

SWGfL Merlin - A starting

point…

Building your school’s platform – plugging in your choice of tools

An extended learning platform

Tools

Space

Single Sign On

Desktop

Simplified sign-on

Transfer of accounts between schools

Filtering and e-safety

Integration of MIS

Integration of a range VLE

Communication and collaboration between all schools in the SW

Discussions

Range of themes and interfaces

Wikis

Blogs

Search

Calendar

Targeted News

Bulletin board

Website creation

Surveys

Questionnaires

Personal online space

Interest groups Collaborative projects

E-portfolio

Parental password access

Target specific users

Storage of resources

Sharing resources

Chat

Upload a range of file types

Merlin

VLE

Assessment tools

Timetables linked to VLE

Resources linked to timetables

Structured course builder

Businesssystems

MIS

CV builder

Off-line learning

Whole school pupil tracking systems

Pupil record systems

Attendance

Reporting systems

Structured targetsetting

E-ILP

Learning Platform

What will SWGfL Merlin look like?

•Bespoke Early Years interface with full integration into SWGfL Merlin•Simple access to tools and resources•Age appropriate tools including simple word processor, online scribble tool, online diary•Creation of e-books for sharing with class•Functionality, tools and sharing controlled and managed by teacher

Screen shots

Moving On…• Additional tools and interfaces as pupils migrate

to full SWGfL Merlin• Customisable virtual desktop enabling

personalisation of interface with themes, images, widgets• E-portfolio can be shared with other users• Collaboration spaces to share and communicate

information

Scenarios

Demo site

• Targeted news - publish and push news to specific users

• Shared calendars - share events with members

• Multiple calendars - overlay on to personal calendar to provide complete picture of events

• Alerts – opt to receive alerts when documents are added or changed

• Surveys – collect responses and feedback and display instantly as graphs

• Personal Online Learning Space• Compatibility with Mobile Technologies (AKS)• E-safety

What will SWGfL Merlin do?

Benefits For Teachers

• Single access to a range of resources that can be customised for the exact needs of pupils• Create and share teaching materials which can be accessed by students and colleagues anywhere and at anytime• Support supply teachers with access to cover work and lesson plans• Receive submissions of work from pupils• Manage your diary, personal file space and receive targeted news within your personalised desktop space• Opportunities to collaborate and share across departments,

schools, LA and SW region.

Benefits For Pupils

• Access learning materials outside lesson time and from a variety of locations • Store work and notes online for use in assignments, homework and revision, outside normal school hours• Work at own pace with the potential to access a wider choice of learning styles and tools in a more personalised work space• Create and share an online portfolio, including digital

photos and videos of performance as well as text• Submit work and assignments for marking or

discussion• Communicate, collaborate and participate in live

discussions and forums with other students and teachers within a moderated, e-safe environment

Benefits For Parents• Play a greater part in children's learning, where they have access to SWGfL Merlin from home• Support children in learning which takes place outside school• Share their child's online portfolio and view a showcase of their best work• Communicate more effectively with teachers, school administrators and others supporting their child's learning• Engage with wider school issues through online

communication and shared spaces• Become active partners with the school.• Be reassured that their child is working within an e-safe environment

Benefits for Admin/Managers

• Simplified creation and management of accounts, user names and passwords through MIS system

• Ability to share up-to-date management information such as attendance and attainment• Reduce the administrative burden on teachers by using transferable data• Enable communication within school and beyond, on a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many basis• Increase communication with parents.• Forge closer links with other schools and agencies both locally and regionally

Benefits for LA officers

• Create and share materials which can be accessed by colleagues anywhere and at anytime

• Support colleagues with targeted access to confidential documents and information

• Receive submissions of work from schools and colleagues

• Manage your diary, personal file space and receive targeted news within your personalised desktop space• Opportunities to collaborate and share across

departments, schools, LA and SW region

Points to consider

Is your connectivity reliable and fast enough for an Internet-based

system?

Do you have a budget to buy more equipment if needed?

Can your staff demonstrate an awareness and

confidence in the embedded use of ICT to support

teaching and learning ?

How will you ensure the security and safety of the users of the learning platform and their data?

Do you have a AUP written into your school improvement plan that

would cover SWGfL Merlin?

Do you have a sufficient hardware for easy access to SWGfL Merlin from various locations within the school and home?

Finding out more

For further formation and updates regarding SWGfL Merlin

• Visit the SWGfL websitewww.swgfl.org.uk/services/learning_platforms

• Subscribe to the SWGfL mailing listwww.swgfl.org.uk/news_and_events/mailinglist.asp

• Contact your LA SWGfL Merlin key contactLinda Duffyl.duffy@dorsetcc.gov.ukPh 01929 401812Mob: 07881 802889