VLE Manager

[webman]

Hi everyone. Would just like to get a bit of information. Bit of background info first.

 

Round about July 2005 when I was an ICT Technician and we didn't have specialist status, I was told by my second Line Manager that due to budget reasons, there was no longer a technician role at the school for me; but to "save me" from losing my job, a temporary role of "VLE/Website Manager" was created for me. I was given the indication that I would then return to ICT Technician when the school was awarded specialists status (anticipated in January 2006) and the budget would be "sorted". January 2006 came and went, budget issues still existed and I was still a VLE Manager.

 

I'd also like to point out at this stage that we still don't have any form of VLE; I have not been invited to any meetings/conferences concerning e-learning, have no idea where the school is heading in this respect, have no idea how lessons are organised electronically, had no training in this area etc etc. In my opinion, it is a complete waste of my own skills and technical abilities.

 

None of this had been given in writing. I obviously accepted this, as I was told it was temporary for several months hoping to return to normal.

 

Anyway, I've been told that it isn't temporary and that the new role is permenant. I have no desire to sit day-in, day-out scanning documents and making resources for teachers.

 

To be quite frank, I'm fairly p***ed off with the whole thing and ready for leaving, if only I could find a decent job close to home that pays enough for travelling AND rent/bills etc.

 

I have spoken to UNISON on the matter, and was advised to write a letter detailing my concerns. I did this and have yet to have a reply, nearly two months on.

 

So... does your school have a VLE already? A VLE Manager? If so, are they an ex-teacher (ie. know how lessons/units etc are organised) or someone more technical who has been moved into that role?

 

:x :x :x

[russdev]

oh dear

 

First thing first and this is to everybidy always get it in writing anything at all...

 

right next thing for you craig is ask for meeting with head (head only no one else) and discuss why you not got a reponse to the letter, your concerns and the fact this was tempory and not been resolved...

 

also at same time look for naother job as sounds like you need to get out of there...

 

russ

[Geoff]

We have a VLE. It lives at http://vle.carrhill.lancs.sch.uk We have three people who collectively look after it (rather than a specific post). The network manager trains staff and maintains the day to day content. I run the technical side of things (it's a LAMP box, so looking after MySQL/Apache/etc). There's another technican who does the graphics/theme for the site.

[webman]

Yes I think that is the best course of action, Russ. I'll try and get one ASAP.

 

Believe me, I've been looking! I don't have a car at the moment so if I can't get one within walking distance (not likely) then I'll need to be able to pay for one on top of everything else. :?

[Guest]

Agree with Russ. If its not in writing, it never happened.

[russdev]

But you maybe able to get head to admit in meeting that this was going to be the case

 

Also at end of meeting say I will type some minutes up and send them to you.

 

Russ

[ThatBoringBloke]

We run a a VLE, but its ran entirely by me, the Network Manager. It just seems to be an expected part of my job role these days.

 

I'm not going to complain though, if I were to leave they'd be well stuck as I'm the only person who knows what he's doing with it! It'd cost them a fortune in third party support! :twisted:

[webman]

Ok, to those who aren't dedicated VLE Manager and run the Network etc at the same time - how do you find time to do both? And as far as managing the VLE content goes - what sort of/how much input do the teachers have?

[ThatBoringBloke]

Teachers upload all of the resources that they want to use themselves. This said, the majority of resources that get used on our VLE are simple Office Documents.

 

Anything that the teacher doesn't know how to do, I'll show them then leave them to get on with it.

[indie]

I've found it an absolute nightmare to get teachers to sit down and develop content with me. You need the full backing of the head and usually some financial incentive.

 

If you can try and get someone from each department who is competent with computers to champion the VLE for their department? You know, really push other teachers to use it!

[GrumbleDook]

Who came up with the design and structure though? Who has an eye on the impact on the curriculum and on cross-curricular ICT?

 

Damn ... back to those little bug-bears of mine ... T&L.

 

It is not a slur on anyone here who is lumbered with uploading bits onto VLEs or making sure the box is working properly ... my gripe is with Manglement in schools who think that just by sticking in some sort of Learning Platform and giving it to a person to look after, irregardless of whether that is a teacher or a techie, they think that it will only take a few weeks to get up and running, and it will mean all staff will be able to deliver the whole curriculum digitally (even though there aren't enought computers to go round for the kids)

[Geoff]

Ok, to those who aren't dedicated VLE Manager and run the Network etc at the same time - how do you find time to do both? And as far as managing the VLE content goes - what sort of/how much input do the teachers have?

 

Network manager here is the ex-Head of IT Department. He's therefore was a teacher. Although he does do some hands on technical stuff (mainly Sims.net related) he's in a management role basically. This does appear to leave him enough time to do training sessions with staff and day to day maintainence/development of the site.

 

The other technician was specifically employed with 'web site development in mind. One of his main responisbilities is looking after the main school site. Knocking up a template or a few images for the VLE doesn't really interfere with his other work.

 

I was specifically employed to deploy and maintain Linux servers. Therefore the LAMP box Moodle runs on comes under my sphere of technical support.

 

We have two other technicans too, a windows server guy and a desktop support guy.

 

I hope that explains how the Moodle VLE fits into the scheme of things here.

[webman]

Thanks Geoff, it does

[Chafftech]

Webman,

 

It sounds as if the school has proper shafted you. You need to get your union rep in on a meeting with the Headteacher have it properly minuted and discuss job descriptions.

 

They cannot change your job without a new job description; therefore it has not happened as the council are unaware of job role and are still paying you as ICT Technician.

 

The meeting should conclude with you being allowed to get on with ICT Technician duties as before OR they come up with new job decription and pay level agreement and not allow you to perform ANY ICT Techician job roles unless they wish to pay you for both in which case is additional workload and requires a remuneration for this (usually next scale).

 

I have been in a few similar scrapes with a certain previous school I worked at.

 

Hope this helps

[webman]

Sorry, did forget to mention that I have a paper copy of the job description for the role of VLE Manager, but my contract from LEA still says ICT Technician. But yes you are right in that something needs to be sorted out either way.

[petectid]

Webman,It sounds as if the school has proper shafted you. You need to get your union rep in on a meeting with the Headteacher have it properly minuted and discuss job descriptions.

 

This is very important, you cannot have a meeting with the head and minute that meeting yourself because there would be no other person to guarantee those minutes are true.

 

Been through a similar thing myself, was told by the union that because I went along with it then in law an agreement existed between myself and my employer. Is is not the case now that your employer is the school and the reason you get a local authority pay cheque is because the school contracts them to do the pay system. Anyway cannot remember the term he used to describe what had happend but it all amounted to compliance, you should never change your job title without having a union rep involved. Unison did manage to get my back dated pay for this new post, then I left.

[webman]

Yes, I see what you mean there petectid. I read on the helpatwork UNISON website that if you agree to do a different role for so long that it becomes accepted. However, from my point of view, I have been "tricked" into taking this on under the pretense of it being temporary, but again, nothing in writing.

[Sylv3r]

Sorry to hear the problems you are having webman. We are having a lot of fighting amongst staff and magement here at the moment - albeit Teaching Staff but it seems to be something a lot of schools are doing at the minute - bullying to get their own way. Up to now the school has won most cases but I hope you manage to get back what is rightly yours.

 

With you not being able to drive you are going to be fortunate, to find employment nearby if you do decide to leave.

 

The first meeting / seminar I have heard about the proposed VLE is happening tommorrow by the way. http://www.durhamlea.org.uk/resources/index.html?_Action=viewrecord&_Id=1314 I'll let you know if I find out any information.

[NetworkGeezer]

Sorry Craig. Can you clear a few things up:

 

Are you being payed less now than you were when you were officially an ICT Technician?

 

Are you still doing ICT Technician tasks despite being a VLE Manager?

 

Do you want to return to being an ICT Technician?

 

Is your new role not challenging enough even though you may have the same benefits and T&C as before?

 

 

Unless you are being paid less or have less benefits, I can't see how the school has benefited from changing your role.

[Ric_]

@webman: Surely if your contract states that you are an IT Technician, then that's exactly what you are?

 

If the school does not plan to replace you, what will they do when a computer breaks down? The VLE Manager should not be expected to fix the problem.

 

Also, the role IMHO of VLE Manager carries far more responsibility and as such should attract a greater amount of remuneration too. You should also be sent on ALL relevent courses and provide training for teaching staff so that they can convert their existing lesson plans and schemes of work into an electronic format.

[webman]

Sorry Craig. Can you clear a few things up:

 

Yep sure.

 

Are you being payed less now than you were when you were officially an ICT Technician?

 

Had pay increase in April 05 (written pay review application) before role all changed, no pay change since then.

 

Are you still doing ICT Technician tasks despite being a VLE Manager?

 

Yes, but my own choice.

 

Do you want to return to being an ICT Technician?

 

Absolutely

 

Is your new role not challenging enough even though you may have the same benefits and T&C as before?

 

Not sure yet, we don't even have a VLE yet so it's difficult to compare.

 

Unless you are being paid less or have less benefits, I can't see how the school has benefited from changing your role.

 

Neither can I.

 

@Ric_: Yes, that's what I'd have thought but apparently not. IT Support is all handled by the Network Manager alone. Some are wanting me to transfer existing paper resources into electronic format.

 

@Sylv3r: Hehe, never noticed that, thanks! It's great how I've been informed of all these e-learning events and seminars in good time!

[MkII]

Custom & Pratice used to come into effect after 2 years doing a job. After that period you're deemed to have accepted it on your curent renumeration, although in theory that's supposed to be in line with other jobs of the same responsibility locally.

 

Try to get hold of a paid Unison rep and not a volunteer. That's what Teachers would do. For a meeting anyone will do as witness. Maybe a Unison rep would put your case better tho'.

 

Are the school trying to do the right thing by you and just keep you in a job - the title an excuse to get payment?

 

PS 'the ChuckleMaster' - is that you then Geoff?!