Content Manager/Technician

[alan-d]

My SMT is looking at future developments one aspect of which is the school VLE and the possible impact on the IT staff to maintain and update it.

 

I've been asked to find out what sort of manpower requirements would be required to run and maintain a VLE together with the web site.

 

We have approx 1000 students and also run Science Technician courses with a possibility of running other courses in the future.

 

Basically what I need is an idea what sort of qualifications would we be looking for and a ball park figure for a salary. For the VLE element I would imagine some sort of teaching experience.

 

I know some colleges and universities have dedicated individuals or in some cases, teams that solely look after web site elements and VLEs leaving teaching staff more time to teach.

 

Any pointers would be appreciated and if anyone has a job description for a content manager/technician I could look at, that would be great.

[webman]

I also agree this should be a role linked to teaching, learning resources content isn't a technical role. This is something I tried to explain to the school where I'm at for over a year (when they told me I was going to be Web/VLE Manager), with only recent success thanks to Bossman. I'll email/PM you a copy of the job description they gave me if I can find it. The salary is a moot point as it was the same as for what I was doing before the change.

 

A school close to us has had a full-time VLE Manager (was a teacher) for 2 years.

[alan-d]

Thanks webman - that would be a great help.

[russdev]

While i wont go as far as saying it must be a teacher role must be filled by somone with a understanding of t & l.

 

But what it sounds like is what you want is two roles in one somone to look after tech side but also provide content as well.

 

Russell

[alan-d]

The way I imagine the post is that we would need someone with T&L experience, preferably over several subject areas, with a good working knowledge of web apps and developement software such as Flash etc who would be able to liaise with teaching staff to discuss content and then be able to demonstrate the finished product.

 

I may be looking for too much there, hence the original question - what are others doing?

 

Would such a content Manager be expecting a salary around the SO1/SO2 range?

[GrumbleDook]

I humbly apologise for the use of buzzwords and manglement speak in this reply ... should anyone require a translation it is available for a small fee payable to the EduGeek @ BETT fund.

 

I would say that they are 2 clear roles ... a developer to look at the system, perform administrative task and help with training and delivery ... and a a content creation person (or team) that can take existing resources and convert them into learning objects that can be fitted into pathways / streams on a VLE to allow for independant / personalised learning.

 

I'll be honest and say that it involves a change in teaching prectices. Departments have to produce structured schemes of work that included digital resources (or resources that can be adapted to be delivered digitally). Some departments do not like this ... as they feel that you *have* to have a teacher delivering the materials directly ... rather than being facilitators.

 

How you intend to roll this out really defines the sort of person you want to employ ...

[alan-d]

I'd agree with that for large colleges and Universities, but would be hard to justify in a secondary school with 1000 students. Full time at any rate

 

Maybe sharing such individuals with other educational establishments could be the answer - I don't know.

 

For planning/discussion clarity at this stage I'm assuming it would be one individual on a full time basis.

[ThatBoringBloke]

A school close to us has had a full-time VLE Manager (was a teacher) for 2 years.

 

Any chance that you could PM me with the name of the school?

[Wizzer]

Alan-d, when/if the post comes up, let me know.

 

Sounds like the perfect job for me. Currently a teacher/technician who used to be a HTML/javascript contractor and experience of setting up and training staff to use VLE systems. I've taught science, ICT and computing.

 

What does SO1/SO2 range equate to? I'm guessing less than a teacher?

[ChrisH]

If its the same as round here that is roughly £22.5k-26.5k

[alan-d]

Alan-d, when/if the post comes up, let me know.

 

Sounds like the perfect job for me. Currently a teacher/technician who used to be a HTML/javascript contractor and experience of setting up and training staff to use VLE systems. I've taught science, ICT and computing.

 

What does SO1/SO2 range equate to? I'm guessing less than a teacher?

 

SO1/SO2 is around the 22K mark I believe but I'm only using that grade as a base it could be lower depending on what the job description entails. For example the SMT may decide that a web technician is all that is required and one of the teaching staff be the coordinator.

 

That is why I'm probing for info

[Wizzer]

So, yes, less than a teacher.

 

Not so perfect after all.

[alan-d]

lol - sorry

 

Having said that I'm only guessing it could be more or even less, trying to find some sort of guidence on this is not easy - it's one of those new developements that doesn't quite fit into any specific catagory.

 

It would be nice to hear from anyone doing the job though - come on I know you're out there

[MkII]

Our local FE College just set on someone in that role @ £18k - wages are less around these parts tho - to compensate for the fantastic quality of life / standard of living no doubt!

[bossman]

alan-d: how about "media technician" with a view to pay scale around 14k which i would say fit into the support role but would also envelope a teachimg and learning role so the criteria for this position i would think would go along the line of someone IT literate (and not just someone who can switch the bloody thing on) and also from a teaching and learning background.

Hey what about a teaching assistant who is interested in IT just the job.

Sorted!

[bossman]

Mark: according to the recent poll on truancy in the media and on the news, hardly any kids go to school in Wales so why not utilise one of the teachers instead hehe!

 

P.S Mark it's been a long day and i couldn't resist, my apologies if it offends not meant to.

[daverage]

Hi all.

I am a VLE coordinator.

My role involves looking after the enrollments, the course set up and the maintainance of a Blackboard 7 installation.

For this I need a reasonable knowledge of SQL server, a bit if IIS and server stuff and some web development to understand how things are working (or not)

We have around 6000 students with about 100 fully active courses on the VLE.

 

I would expect to ask for 22k onwards.

 

If you are looking at moodle you will need somone with good web skills, such as PHP and MySQL.

For 1000 students you will need maybe a .5 style amount of time to manage it. Just day to day stuff like changing passwords, setting up new courses enrolling users etc.

 

As for developing materials and liasing, we have a couple of people in our team. An elearning manager, a full time web deve and me as the VLE and web dev person.

 

Lots to think about there!!!

[alan-d]

Thanks Dave - it's about time you appeared I don't suppose you have a job description for any of those roles do you?

 

In a secondary school the password changing would not be such an issue as we'd probably tie that in with AD for the students and possibly for the courses as well seeing as our population is not as fluid as yours is.

 

[daverage]

My job description involves html, asp, asp.net, vb.net, sql and few other bits like training teachers on its usage.

Will dig it out for you if I can find it!!!

 

AD is a good option, now that we have out server inside the domain (!?) we will be able to tie it all together a bit, but doing each course doesnt work for us as so many courses have shared units!!

[alan-d]

Thanks Dave - spk on msn when I'm on next

[MkII]

Mark: according to the recent poll on truancy in the media and on the news, hardly any kids go to school in Wales so why not utilise one of the teachers instead hehe!

 

P.S Mark it's been a long day and i couldn't resist, my apologies if it offends not meant to.

 

None taken mate!

[daverage]

He bud, any updates?

[alan-d]

He bud, any updates?

 

Got a meeting with SMT in 30 mins although I'm not expecting a final decision today

 

On a slightly different note - anyone looking at implementing a VLE should look at the BECTA pages for it. It has a lot of useful guidance you can put in front of the Head Teacher & SMT