Leeds Trinity University College…will be a successful university community, inspired by Catholic values. We will empower individuals, enabling them to contribute to their communities as productive, enterprising and creative citizens of the world
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Key FactsLearner statisticsFull Time U/G 1727 Full Time P/G 240 Courses66 Undergraduate XCRI ChampionsSue Scott-Kerr |
Institutional Awareness of XCRI-CAP
Leeds Trinity University College first became aware of XCRI-CAP through the Web Managers Conference in 2008. However, it was not until attending the WYLLN XCRI-CAP Seminar in Leeds in 2009 that they decided to investigate the benefits and resources required to support XCRI-CAP implementation.
Following internal discussions the Vice Principal was approached to endorse the exploration and possible implementation of XCRI-CAP. The project was supported and activities commenced in 2009.
At a very early stage it became clear that whilst the internal team had the technical capabilities to review the internal systems and processes and implement XCRI-CAP, resources were scarce, and existing, demanding workloads and schedules meant time was not available to focus on a review and implementation project. However, the team was able to identify the key requirements and scope of a new system.
Resources were made available by WYLLN to support awareness raising, project planning and technical implementation, providing a better understanding of the overriding principles and technical aspects of XCRI-CAP, identifying how it fitted in with the current database and proposed database structures, and how it could potentially support the institutional move towards promoting Continuing Professional Development. Essentially, the support provided by WYLLN brought XCRI-CAP to life and enhanced the level of knowledge and understanding for the team at Leeds Trinity University College, so that the team was confident of the current situation and how to progress to XCRI-CAP implementation in the future.
Internal Systems Pre-XCRI-CAP implementation
Prior to implementing XCRI-CAP, following course validation a paper-based form was completed and forwarded to marketing, marketing would create the course on a SQL database and also forward the appropriate information to Registry, who would in turn enter the course and module information on the SITS student records system.
There were internal discussions around the possibilities of migrating the SQL database used for marketing into the SITS IPP module, but a decision was taken to follow a bespoke XCRI-CAP based development to ensure the internal team had control over the structure and content of the system and were able to develop in line with the institutional needs and strategy.
Process
- Technical team at WYLLN mapped existing database structure onto XCRI-CAP framework
- Results fed back to Leeds Trinity
- Leeds Trinity created alternative view identifying key 'required fields' rather than full database structure
- With support from WYLLN, Leeds Trinity looked at database structure for new system on XCRI-CAP framework
- WYLLN created XML feed for new system in line with XCRI-CAP
- Institution intends to create additional fields not currently within XCRI-CAP framework to meet internal and external needs but will keep database developments in line with national standards where practicable.
Key Drivers for Implementation
The institution recognised the need to update their internal systems to provide a more efficient and effective way of collating, collecting and presenting course related information that could in turn support the generation of both print and web-based marketing collateral.
Key Challenges
A key challenge for Leeds Trinity University College was the ability to allocate time and resources to support exploration and implementation of XCRI-CAP. The small team often felt as though they were pulled in 20 different directions, and the implementation of XCRI-CAP was not viewed as a key priority outside the team. Active support from WYLLN helped to overcome this difficulty.
Promoting the virtues of XCRI-CAP to non-technical staff also proved to be challenging. Often the technical team felt that other staff 'switched off' as soon as the acronym was mentioned, they felt there needed to be further guidance and support around promoting the initiative and associated benefits of implementing XCRI-CAP to non-technical staff that could be used as a resource in one-to-one conversations and group briefings.
Aspirations
Leeds Trinity University College are interested in exploring other uses of XCRI-CAP feeds and the possibilities of using feeds on other platforms and applications such as Facebook. In the future they wish to streamline the process of marketing CPD and postgraduate study which is not currently held in any databases.
The institution has actively engaged with WYXCRI-CPD, a JISC-funded project undertaken by WYLLN to review the information available on CPD courses and transform it into XCRI-CAP format. The outcomes of this will assist the institution in pursuing their aspirations around the presentation and marketing of CPD and postgraduate study.
The institution is also researching previous XCRI-CAP developments that have produced external feeds for consumption or utilisation by other applications.
Conclusion
Leeds Trinity University College are excited about the future opportunities in relation to marketing and course advertising that XCRI-CAP will enable. The team recognises that the external influence and support from WYLLN made the difference in embracing XCRI-CAP and without it they would not have progressed the project at this stage.
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