Blogs for December 2008

Targets for this month (December 2008)

Finish up to two webcasts and show (communications team manager)
Work more with Lectora and Serco (e-learning software)
Use Adobe Captivate to capture simulation tutorials
Be up-to-date in all the mandatory courses
Be up-to-date with all my given work from supervisors, managers staff!


(01/12/08)
Went to a Job fair with a colleague to assist and get an insight of what goes on within NHS jobs, other parties were present and it tool place at the health centre in BD8.

Later on in the afternoon I had a look ate Lectora Publishing software for creating e-learning software’s.

I explored Lectora in terms of creating a sample ‘Emergency Planning’ e-learning package that made use off a questionnaire, animation and other things embedded into the actual package. This was just to get familiar with how to use Action Scripts etc.


(02/12/08)
I spent more time using Lectora and getting grasps with it. Then I went to a NHS practise in Batley. There were people from the University of Bolton present to discuss a ‘real life’ product that they say is being used within many NHS around the UK, it was an e-learning package that was based upon stress management and it was a lengthy but yet animated package was really useful.

(03/12/08)
The engagement stakeholder just met up for an informal meeting regarding the presentation for the ‘power to the people’ this was for the voice over that would be done in order to complete the presentation worked further more on the presentation.

Later on in the afternoon I got to grips with the webcasting equipment so that I would get familiar with the functions and on (04/12/08) I would be recording the audio for the presentation (engagement stakeholder).


From the 8th till the 11th I was ill however on the 12th December I was attending the connections event to capture the events of our communications team that would take place at the Thornbury centre.

The event I filmed featured a few departments externally within the tPCT (Bradford and Airedale) and other organisations that were based within Bradford and other districts too. I filmed there market stalls and they gave a few minutes about their stalls as well as it gave an insight on camera that would later look at how to deliver the message.


(15/12/08)
I was back with the L&D department on the Monday; I did the usual things such as creating webpages, updating exiting ones and adding new dates and changing the old ones.

In the afternoon a meeting was held with the PPDU professional practising department unit to discuss e-learning packages for syringes. It was quite effective because I was shown a video that would be embedded into the application later to help make patients/public aware.

However, my manager also found out how much it would cost in order for me and her to go to London for an exhibition for e-learning materials.

(16/12/08)
Updated the existing dates and times for the webpages for the Learning and Development team also making amendments to the previous webpages I created.

(17/12/08)
Got to grips with Lectora and used an existing organisations template to help me understand the questionnaires and quizzes that needed to be created. Also the interaction side of it needs to be worked upon. I found it very frustrating of not finding what to do and how to progress further with it.

(18/12/08)
I created new webpages for a colleague and added them to the communications website which consists of staff talk (a newsletter type of format where NHS staff can discuss issues and such things happening etc).

(19/12/08)
I went to a restaurant for my learning and development Christmas party; it was held locally at one of the restaurants in Bradford, it was a fabulous day out, however when I had got back to work I did the odd few jobs of uploading content on the webpages for my colleagues and their departments also created new webpages regarding Basic life support and Mandatory courses etc.

Later on in the evening I produced consent forms for my manager regarding the kids Santa raffle party that would take place (22/12/08). The consent forms would basically show that parents and children who are present at the party would allow the tPCT to show images of children/adults on their website.

(22/12/08)
I prepared my video camera for the party (kid’s raffle) that would take place within the learning centre ground floor.

One of the Software Development managers installed an expansion card IEEE 1394 for a firewire device which would connect my camera to my PC this would allow me to edit the footage that would be used within the server on the tPCT server.

(23/12/08)
My day began with two colleagues where I was assisting using Adobe Captivate 2 to capture the incident website (Prism); this was very time consuming in order to get the editing stage as to how it should be. I had to implement 138 slides to complete the project.

(24/12/08)
My day started off with editing the footage of the Connections event that was held in Thornbury Bradford, this event was to mark all the departments within the Bradford and Airedale district and other organisations come together and promoted their departments, as well other organisations externally, solicitors and marketing companies came along and also promoted their businesses too.

Other tasks in hand were regarding the Prism incident website where my Learning and Development Manager requested that I would take photographs of a staff member acting out for a fall that would illustrate with the Prism website. This would help people understand the concept of what it is all about.

I also did more slide editing on the Prism website; this consisted of editing slides on the software (Adobe Captivate) this is an authoring tool also great for simulation training videos too.

(29/12/08)
I used Adobe Captivate to carry on working on Prism (incident website), then I worked furthermore on a webcast for the Thornbury event, it was finished only as a prototype though as the music I imported was not the original piece also I found that using the Adobe Premier Pro was a superb software and the features are really straightforward, considering you know what you are doing.

The use of Adobe Photoshop CS3 is great; software and can be powerfully embedded into any operating system, its use of friendly features and different tools.

(30/12/08)
Just edited more footage of the kids Christmas raffle event using Adobe Premier Pro. I did this for the following day and most days I would edit software using Adobe Premier Pro to enhance my ability to get better at it, also I used Adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit and manipulate images.

Within Adobe After Effects another software built in Adobe Suite or can be downloaded as a free trail software, I created a snow effect on the title of the Christmas party (raffle), this would go great with the video.

Achievements this month (December 2008)

Webcast equipment arrived, started to film and edit events.

Achievements -v- Targets for this month (December 2008)

Get all goals achieved set by managers, supervisors etc.

Targets for next month (December 2008)

Keep on top of everything as all work is piling in.
Additions to your knowledge this month, standards achieved and the evidence.

· Learned how to use Adobe Captivate and implement recorded footage via a timeline.
· Finished up to two webcasts

November 2008 Blog

Targets for this month (November 2008)

• Get at least one e-learning package completed
• Get familiar with the e-learning package Lectora and Serco
• Be up-to-date in all the mandatory courses

(03/11/08)
Had a meeting with the following departments:

• Risk Manager
• Learning and Development

To discuss the issues with a website called Prism. This is a virtual, interactive site where patients/staff can log in and report incidents, accidents things have happened to them or they have seen. It’s very easy to navigate sleek and is only available within the PCT intranet.
However, the key issues that were discussed were using Adobe Captivate to capture videos that would offer training to other people. Other things that need to be embedded are maybe sound and a voice over.

Within the meeting I showed the webcast for the Learning Centre on the DVD that I and the University of Bradford produced together. The team present was very impressed I also gave a viewing to other staff that has been inpatient since the launch.

(04/11/08)
Learning and Development Team Unit Meeting (9.30am – 10.30am) Things that we discussed were; the new library, connections week, round the room updates (what each individual has been involved in) Added new dates to the training courses on the Learning and Development pages.

(5/11/08)
Structured the day on creating advanced e-forms for the Learning and Development department, this was for the spreadsheet that was set by Abrar who is the co-ordinator. Had few difficulties implementing the e-forms and obtained help from another colleague, but my system was slow and my laptop couldn’t access the content management system.

(6/11/08 – 7/11/08)

Serco – e-learning package training – discussed the package and uploading information. At the Dewsbury Health Centre.

(10/11/08)

I updated the webpage’s with new dates for the mandatory courses on the learning and development.

(11/11/08)

I again updated the webpage’s with the dates for mandatory courses, managed to create a new e-form for ‘Manual Handling course’. Stayed an hour and half extra to make up time (due to an appointment eye screening and visit to the bank).

(12/11/08)

From Wednesdays to Fridays I spend the usual days with the communication team, here I just keep occupied with the work either from the Learning and Development centre or from the comms team themselves. However, wednesday I carried on updating webpages and creating new ‘e-forms’ which are an advance form of, forms that can be filled out with details regarding appointments and sent directly via email. I also was involved in a live demo for the Lectora e-learning package. Seated at a PC and watching a live demo from the USA where the host was creating a demo on Laboratory safety training. This was very useful in the context that it give an insight of how to use the software that my other team (e-learning) will receive it and we will build e-learning packages from scratch too. There was no sound due to calling a number which was not stated on the email, but I got the drift in what was going on.

(13/11/08)
Meeting with Rachel Rutherford (manager /communication team) to discuss what I have done so far and how things are progressing.
Discussed webcasts – learning centre
How to set up a sharepoint site via CMS in order to run the webcast for the Learning Centre.
Chased up what things I have been involved in while I have been working elsewhere: updating and adding new e-forms for Learning and Development team.

(14/11/08)
Made changes to the dates for the Learning and Development courses, again created and edited the e-forms that I constructed from scratch. I found that creating the forms was not a problem but actually accessing the system was very slow.

(17/11/08)
The duties for Monday were to carry on with the manipulation of the web pages and make changes to the existing dates. At 11am till 12pm I had a meeting with other team members regarding the Learn Online website (all the learn online courses Fire safety, Risk Assessment etc). The interface from what it is now to what it could look like, the wording and what should and shouldn’t be there.

(18/11/08)
Same duties applied editing the webpage’s for the learning and development team. I also sat down with my other line manager Pear Jolly who is head of the e-Learning department, discussed the Prism website and been using Lectora Publishing Software to look at what kind of work can be done to create professional as well as efficient e-learning tools. Had a meeting with the Education and Programmes team to discuss their websites, they wanted a website that would be done externally and had in mind of domain names that would be recognised by people around the globe as their work is more related to people around different areas within the UK and else where. Also some use of Flash within the CMS.

(19/11/08)
Implemented the Learning Centre website, input a logo, and added a marquee. This was done via the CMS software that is used via all the NHS websites internally and externally.

(20/11/08)
Had a one to one meeting with my manager to discuss what I have been doing also I have been involved with the Learning Development team where I have been updating, editing, adding and new webpages and e-forms.

(24/11/08)
Sat with one of my supervisors to discuss the e-learning packages for the Prism site and another project in hand, the key issue surrounded how to get the structure going, how it works out and what benefits would it bring to us as an organisation and other organisations too. Other things discussed were regarding the webcast for the learning and development website, this consisted of converting the webcast into a WMA file that can be viewed in windows media player that would become a default file so that anyone externally or internally would be able to view it.

(25/11/08)
Meeting with the Head of Improving the Patient Experience Strategy manager who discussed that he wanted a power point presentation that would have 10-15 images on that would be projected on to a screen and have maybe 10 testimonials that would fade into the images. This was an informal meeting discussed over a coffee, simple and straight to the point, also there would be a slogan such as “power to the people” to deliver the message efficiently.

(26/11/08)
Went to Sheffield to meet the staff at the Sheffield tPCT (Pegasus House Training Centre) to see how they get on with Lectora Publishing Software (an e-learning package used for learning for staff and nurses/patients etc) My supervisor had questions regarding the issues with the package such things as:

• How Lectora fits into Serco (another e-learning infrastructure that allows Lectora to sit within)
• Difficulties they face; adding learning packages to the Repository, adding users, course management etc
• How they cope with the handling of the system and what is run with it to maintain such as servers, PC’s, people and constantly updating the system.

(27/11/08)
Thursday I got my new desk and PC, but in order to log in I had to obtain a telephone in order to log in but this was delayed throughout the day which was a shame. I am always prepared and ambitious to do some work, but within the NHS I have found things get delayed and interruptions apply. However, I managed to just about implement a webpage for the stake holding engagement team. They wanted a webpage that would display the necessary information with pdf files too. Later in the afternoon at 2pm, I had a meeting with the Implementation team who are directing the E-learning club that looks at e-learning packages such as Lectora and Serco so fourth. This was quite interesting to attend as I got a more depth of other companies that produce e-learning packages and how I probably could develop my career further maybe in a few years time.

(28/11/08)
The webcasting equipment arrived which was a good sign; I started to implement further the Stakeholder Engagement teams webpages that needed more information as well as further development with links etc. Also the Learning and Development department asked me to implement a few webpages such as the Manual Handling People and Objects.

Achievements this month (November 2008)
No achievements as of yet, due to the webcasting equipment not arriving, but eventually did.

Achievements -v- Targets for this month (November 2008)
Get all goals achieved set by managers, supervisors etc

Targets for next month (November 2008)
Keep on top of everything as all work is piling in

Additions to your knowledge this month, standards achieved and the evidence

Learned how to use Serco and Lectora Publishing Software for implementing e-learning packages.

October 08 summarised blog

I have taken notes down and dated the tasks, activities and events that i have been involved in. They are dated as follow. I do apologise if some the tasks/activities i did are not dated as I have been heavily involved with all departments and maybe the reason being wasn't able to take down notes of dates. Also rather doing them day by day blogs i have summarised them overall for each month.

Targets for this month (October 2008)

• Get webcast for Learning Centre done and dusted so people are able to view it
• Make sure I meet my tutor Geyong Min and have plenty to discuss regarding my role
• Make sure I keep up-to-date with my blogs.
• Making notes day in and out of daily activities and dating them

Summary of activities this month (October 2008)

• Meeting large boardroom (Douglas Mill) on level 1, 10.30am-11am (02/10/08) discussed the things I have done or going to do within the coming month, other people discussed their roles and achievements as well. A connections week event (an invent for an hour where other organisations interact and discuss issues, topics, projects in hand) this takes place in December for a week (this is where my webcasting role comes in hand, its going to be creative and an exciting week) Other events that are taking place are 2009 Awards (a bit like TV awards where people are congratulated via a trophy or certificate in this case) this was also discussed.
• Created a tracking sheet within excel to keep track of produced webcasts on DVD’s (6/10/08)
• Engaged within meetings every Thursday, Wednesday and Friday with my department (comms team) also 1-1 meetings with my manager (catching up) (every week of every month)
• Met with business team to implement and structure their Planning Emergency website. Informal discussions (13/10/08)
• Met up with staff to discuss the possible equipment needed for the webcast for the learning centre launch (17/10/08) also discussed
• Meeting with the university to discuss the equipment needed for the launch of the Learning Centre on 17th October 08. Location at the Douglas Mill. Discussed windows media server, music licences, OFcomms guidelines and EPS (encapsulated post script). There were issues of discussing how we would work around people who didn’t want to be featured within the launch.
• Went to university to edit the launch of learning centre on the following dates (23,24,27,29/10/08) Used Adobe Premiers Pro, learned new techniques; how to capture video from camera, what correct aspect ratio to film on (16:9 etc), how to use the timeline and add effects and edit the sound etc.
• Went to Dewsbury health centre to get and insight of the Serco e-learning package, how to use it, how and what it can bring to the organisation; 2day event (20,21/10/08)
  I have been heavily involved with general work for the Learning and development team, business team and other departments; working with the CMS (content management system) structuring their websites also updating old web pages with new information.
  Went along with the chief executives on a ‘walkabout’ an informal style interview where I was to film groups of people talking, discussing issues and expressing their views/opinions etc. Very useful experience only a few minutes of footage was filmed; firstly due to many folk didn’t want to be filmed secondly due to the weather surprise, surprise (29/10/08). Location was Marie Curie Hospice, located in Bradford. Very nice place and pleasant people too.
• Work placement tutor came to visit, first visit (30/10/08), Geyong Min was very impressed by the activities I have done, what I have been involved, the environment, my managers etc.
• I was asked to fill out forms like questionnaires and experience so far.
  Been keeping up-to-date with my blogs and making sure they are dated correctly
  On the launch day (17/10/08), the following things that happened were

- The crew came from university
- The equipment they brought was a professional video camera, a microphone, tripod and DV tapes were provided
-Matt Overton gave an overview of the camera, its features, how to adjust it to the light how to hold and create good shots
- He also allowed me to capture a few parts of the launch just for me to grasp what was needed, but I felt it was straightforward.
-The launch was a success with the help of Matt and his team, it went well.

Achievements this month (October 2008)

• Edited and produced the very first webcast that was presented at a meeting (31/10/08), everyone who was present was impressed with the work that was done mainly by myself but also with the help of Matt Overton University of Bradford (many thanks). The learning centre launch.

Achievements -v- Targets for this month (October 2008)

• Get all goals achieved set by managers, supervisors etc.
• Targets for next month (October 2008)
• Keep on top of everything as all work is piling in.

Additions to your knowledge this month, standards achieved and the evidence

• Learned how to edit with professional software (Adobe Premier Pro)
• How to make use of a professional camera
• What different techniques are involved using a camera such as; pan, long shot, medium shot etc
  

The rest information can be found on my blog website either blackboard or blogger.com

Ajmal at the NHS (is my blog name)

End of month summary for September 2008

This blog lists down excatly the things i did by date and task as shown below. Enjoy!

Targets for the month (september)

• To take down notes using notebook provided and not disappoint supervisors
• Always complete given tasks in hand on time
• To update blog daily or weekly depending on tasks in hand
• Always use Outlook to arrange meetings, keep up to date with tasks done

Summary of activities this month (september)

• (05/09/08) Created a logo for the new Learning and Development department.
• (08/09/08) Introduced to the new library to be opened in October.
• (12/09/08) Used an area called ‘The Sandpit’ to set my own workspace. I created Gantt charts, documents and uploaded images.
• (15/09/08) Used Lectora an e-learning package to create presentations.
• (16/09/08) Learned how to use Share-point 2007 to create, edit and upload information.
• (17/09/08)Attended meetings and introduced myself to others. Most meetings were regarding topics related to NHS constitution, the board, how individuals are getting along with their jobs and the tasks in hand.
  Created a webcast project template in Microsoft word and emailed to staff so they were aware of what the term leant, how it would benefit them and why is the organisation using webcasts etc.
• (22/09/08)Was set the task to create tutorials on Microsoft Outlook using video capture software ‘My Screen Recorder’ also experimenting with ‘Adobe Capture’ and ‘Lectora built in video camera’ Also created chapters in PowerPoint presentation to give an introduction to the tutorials beforehand.
• (23/09/08) Edited web pages using CMS.
• (23/09/08) Uploaded information using CMS.
• (23/09/08) webcasts with the Librarians got brief ideas of how they want their webcast to be like.
• (24/09/08) Went to an e-Learning event at the Cedar Court Hotel (Wakefield).
• (25/09/08) Sat in for a Media training session, this related to how colleagues would handle a interview by the radio or Television people.
• (29/09/08) Went to an 'Equality and Diversity' meeting at the Park Lane Community Centre across from the tPCT. Here we discussed the issues regarding cultural and community backgrounds. A good understanding and very important topic.

Achievements this month (september)

• Created a logo for the Learning and Development team so they could launch their new department. This was to be laminated and trimmed down to the appropriate size so it would be displayed on to a display board.
• The staff were over whelmed as what they asked was exactly how they wanted it. It was perfectly done using the correct tone of the colour printer.
• Using the laminate machine was a new experience as I have never used it and I did bump into a few problems, but eventually got it correct.

Achievements -v- Targets for this month (september)

• Getting involved in not only the given role but work externally and internally get more knowledge of other peoples work too.
• Taking notes down for tasks as I go along to make sure I am up-to-date as well as keeping an eye on done tasks to ensure blogs are correctly created with dates to go with them.

Targets for next month (september)

• To carry on working like I have done for this month (September) and do well and benefit from the experience till the end of my placement.
• To create test runs for the webcasts (once the equipment arrives) meaning samples for me to enhance my skills and knowledge, so i am prepared for the real event.

Additions to my knowledge this month (september), standards achieved and the evidence

I have learnt a lot this entire month from having to work with staff and do such things as manipulate web-pages, create e-learning sample to liaising with staff within meetings. Its been a good experience and I have been privileged from day one to work alongside them. My managers in particular have cared and given me the opportunity to learn new things and I have grasped the learning stage effectively and efficiently.

• The evidence can be seen within my tPCT drive or alternatively my 'sharepoint' site (this link is only accessable via the intranet within the tPCT).

Tuesday 16th September 2008

As I was on the 3rd floor working along side the Learning and Development team I was also working with the Software Development team in order to get more knowledge about Share Point 2007. This is a software package ready to use and upload information on to it; it includes hosting and is useful for documenting and managing originally from Microsoft.

Another useful area of the share point I used was ‘The Sandpit’ this was to create my own work on to. I created a Gantt chart just a sample to what tasks needed to be completed. I played around further with the features that the share point offered and got used to it even more.

Furthermore, I was helping colleagues as to what it does, as some were not familiar with the actual interface which was quite interesting.

Monday 15th September 2008

The Monday back I spent a day with the Learning and Development department (floor 3) the team members were very welcoming like all the people I had met so far.

I was introduced to a piece of software that was called Lectora Professional. This software was quite straightforward and was specifically used for e-Learning packages. It uses a wizard base structure and has very tidy functions. But the downfall for me personally, was the toolbar as it was restricted and it wouldn’t allow you do what you intended but just do what it did (if that makes sense).

I constructed a piece of work based on the 'webcast project' using Lectora a small e-learning tutorial. I was also asked to create a logo for the new Learning and Development department so it would feature on a display board and within the staff talks (news updates every Friday via email).

Thursday 11th / Friday 12th September 2008

My 3rd day was meeting my line manager (Rachel Rutherford) she was my main contact after Mervyn Silva for the projects that i would under go in the following weeks to come. As it was my first day getting introduced to her i had alot of things to learn. Again I was introduced to the other memebers of the organisation.

Some were Interpreters people who make bookings regarding venues/rooms within the organisation or outside the organisation using different language tools.

I was introduced to the hierarchy of executives in a brief description of who they are what their roles are within the tPCT also members below them and so fourth.

First meeting of the week was at 11am till 12pm, this meeting was very professional and minutes were read out and apologies were also taken into account. It was within a boardroom that was quite large based on floor 1. The things that happened are as follow:

• I introduced myself and role to others that I didn't meet yet
• Discussion about each persons role and their work done so far
• Next meeting and time
• NHS constitution etc

Friday was as follow; we discussed some of what equipment would be used. The software and hardware that was initially discussed with the suppliers would consist some of the following:

• Adobe Premier for editing and encoding prior to uploading
• Windows 2003 / 2008 server
• Windows Media Server and Windows Media Encoder (to play the videos on)
• Digital video cameras, microphones and lighting etc
• A laptop or a desktop PC

The media training would be provided by the University of Bradford after a few meetings taking place etc.

I drafted a piece of work in Microsoft Word that would give an outline to the cost, capabilities and comparisons etc to what equipment should be used. So mainly my work involved me sitting at a desk doing word documents and other days i would get hands on work more practical.

It was quite fun as I was left alone and got on with my work and used my initiative to plan ahead.