C O N T E N T S
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Applications Currently Accessible
Calendars
File Access from Home
Searching for Content
External Sites to NPTLG
Curriculum Resources
Applications In Development
PDF Processor
Room Booking System.
Media Box
Capita SIMS Web Parts
Applications for Future Projects
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
My IPlan
Applications Currently Accessible
The email facility within the Neath Port Talbot Learning Gateway (NPTLG) is accessed through NPTLG Apps. Once run, Outlook Web Access (OWA) opens a windows within the NPTLG with access to the users mail box. This provides access at schooland from home providing the user has been granted the appropriate permissions via the managed serviceHomeMailAccess group.
Please note, Admin Users who save their work to the secure data workspace are unable to have home access permissions set. Home Access for these users is being facilitated by Two Factor authentication.
Calendars
The Learning Gateway has calendars built into each of the sites created for example School Event Calendar, Staff Calendar, School Inset Date. Some calendars are anonomous and some are only viewable by users that are logged into the system.
Owners of site have the ability to delete and create calendars as they require them. They additionally have the ability to overlay calendars. This allows various people to take responsibility for contributing to specific calendars which can be mergedinto one calendar.
Users of Office 2007 and Office 2010 will have the ability to connect their calendars directly from the NPTLG. This allows for users to update calenders either in the NPTLG or via their Outlook application.
Outlook calendars can also be accessed though NPTLG Apps Outlook Web Access. See the Email section above.
File Access from Home
The File Access from Home facility in the Gateway is again accessed through NPTLG Apps. This launches the File Access from Home Application, which opens all the resource areas that you have access to while in work/school.
In order to be granted access to the File Access from Home facility the user must be put into one of the following groups in the managed service:
- HomeFileReadOnlyAccess to Files from Home Read Only
- HomeFileReadWriteAccess to Files from Home Read and Write
Please note, Admin Users who save their work to the secure data workspace are unable to have home access permissions set. Home Access for these users is being facilitated by Two Factor authentication.
Searching for Content
Users will be able to search for resources stored on NPTLG. The search will display resources that are available to users dependant on the level of access users have been granted. For example users will not be shown resources that are in school based pupil sites.
The search allows you to choose the type of results you can view by type of rescource, from which site, written by which author, when it was last modified and what unit or topic it relates to.
External Sites to NPTLG
Schools are able to link to any external sites that they wish. For example, a link to Lisol (for those that require it) should be included on the staff site as required.
This allows all users to access one site and then be signposted to the other required sites.
Curriculum Resources
The Curriculum Resources area on NPTLG will be predominantly populated with content created by EDIS and Teaching Staff.Users will be able to log in to collaborate on and share resources between schools, sectors and departments in the Curriulum Development area.
Once these resources have been approved they will then be published through workflow onto the Curriculum Resources area so that you can share them with the everyone or apply permissions so that only relevant groups can view them.
Applications In Development
PDF Processor
We get a lot of calls from our users to convert their common file formats such as Microsoft Word or Excel documents into PDF format to share with users who do not have the relevant software required to open these files. Rather than continue to do this, we are creating a service which will allow you to create PDF files from any school desktop computer.
Room Booking System.
Several of our Secondary Schools have suggested that a Room Booking System would be a useful addition to the NPTLG. Development work has begun on this system and its intergration with the schools SIMS system will allow users to book rooms that are not being used during school timetable.
Media Box
MediaBox will incorporate video, multimedia and sound bytes. This development will bring all media rich content together into a single easily accessible repository.
MediaBoxwill be integrated into theNPTLGand will allow you to upload videos and other multimedia to your account. You don't have to worry about the format of your file because MediaBox will add your file to a queue to be converted to a web friendly format.
Once your file has been uploaded and processed, you will be able to tag it, decide whether to make it public or private, offer it for download (or not if you choose) and share it with everyone or just a small group of other MediaBox users. You will be able to create playlists of files and mark files as favourites so that you can find them easily in the future. There will even be a tool to add a file or playlist of files onto your site on NPTLG if you are a teacher or a pupil.
Capita SIMS Web Parts
Web Parts are available that integrate with the schools SIMS system for viewing and updating MIS data. Several of our secondary and primary schools have expressed an interest in accessing a number of the modules that are available and therefore these are currently being investigated as a possible addition to NPTLG.
Applications for Future Projects
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Over time, we wish to extend the use of the NPTLG to include a full Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This will build on the foundations that have been put in place to create an integrated learning platform that matures upon the concept of the connected learning community, focusing on four key elements:
- Access to 21st Century Tools
- Managed Learning
- Managed Technology Environments
- Effective Management Information Systems with integration
The VLE will integrate existing Management Information Systems and include a powerful assessment for learning toolkit. Key features which we will endeavour to incorporate in the VLE include:
- Simple sign on to access all necessary services
- Simple and effective communication, across all relevant areas including parents, governors, teachers, community etc
- Build on the collaboration currently being delivered through the gateway
- Personalised learning space
- Individual learning plans, with progress tracking
- Access to core MIS information including attainment, behaviour
- Bringing all components together to save teachers time which will allow them to focus on value work
My IPlan
There is a need for an Individual Learning Plan package to be incorporated if the 14-19 Project is to have a presence on the Gateway. An externally produced package My I Plan is being considered (www.my-iplan.com). This has been successfully implemented by several Authorities in England through their SharePoint Portal (Wolverhampton/Worcester).
ICT Support – Schools and Learning – Applications Accessible though NPTLGPage 1
Printed: 30/11/2018