The aim of this project was to develop a web-based information platform to provide support for students with social anxiety. The platform needed to provide these students with a single, highly visible point of access to existing University support systems and also provide links to external sources of peer-support that utilise a self-help approach to the management of social anxiety. The platform had to be accessed via the Student Portal and be available to students in the University and its Partner Colleges. It is also currently being used by students at the University of the West of England (UWE).
LTs worked with Project Leader, Graham Russell, to
- identify appropriate content and design of web-based materials and to build and test a suitable interface.
- populate the platform with appropriate materials, test with volunteers and design an online evaluation tool
- pilot and evaluate the platform via the Student Portal
Method
The HELP CETL gave us server space on which to host the platform. As peer-support was central to this project we primarily investigated using ELGG, a social-networking tool developed by the University of Brighton. However, ELGG did not have the functionality we required and we therefore switched and developed iHub in Moodle.
Publicity
We created publicity materials in the form of A3 posters, A5 flyers and keyrings to advertise the iHub during Student Induction. Illustrations, previously created for another project, were used on the iHub site and also for the posters and flyers. Mark L created the iHub logo which fits neatly onto the keyring. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator were used to create the artwork.
Involved
Clients: Graham Russell, Lecturer in Health Psychology, School of Applied Psycho-social Studies, FHSW; Judith Waterfield, Head of Disability ASSIST Services; Ray Jones, Professor of Health Informatics, FHSW
Developers: Flea Palmer, Mark Pannell, Mark Lyndon, Janice Gibbs, Sid White
Related Resources
See iHub at http://www.ihub.org.uk/