Commencing mid-January 2019, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (the department) will undertake an upgrade of the current MHPOD portal. In the first stage, a range of new technical and visual features and a new content menu will be introduced.
Currently, MHPOD has a list of what some commonly refer to as either ‘topics’ or ‘modules’, that can be completed in any order. The upgrade will introduce a new structure for MHPOD, allowing content to be developed and organised in three categories:
1. Individual topics - the same as the current structure
2. Modules – a collection of topics
3. Courses – a collection of modules.
Modules and Courses can be ‘Open’ or ‘Custom’. ‘Open’ content can be accessed by anyone registered on MHPOD. The ‘Custom’ content option allows educators registered on MHPOD to customise learning by combining a list of topics or modules and sending a link to these to a selected group of MHPOD users such as staff within their organisation.
Other features in the first stage of the upgrades include, amongst other things:
· Discussion forums for participants
· Enhanced reporting functionality to assist educators to report user activity by health services
The first step in updating MHPOD content will be to prioritise existing content for redevelopment then undertake the necessary changes. The department is keen for feedback from stakeholders on what existing material should be priorities within this upgrade process, and those that are no longer relevant.
Additionally, the department is keen to hear from individuals and organisations who would be interested in being part of the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) of new features. This is a really important part of the upgrade process and provides valuable feedback on how everything will operate and reveal further opportunities for enhancements and changes.
The duration of UAT is yet to be confirmed; however, it will all occur remotely with testers provided access to a testing environment and script of instructions.
If you’re interested in being either part of the UAT or have feedback regarding which topics should be prioritised first (or both) please feel free to contact us.
20 November 2018
