Higher Education Academy

Update

Lawrence Hamburg, Assistant Director and Head of e-learning

HeLF: Wed 2 April 2008

■DIUS/DCFS: Harnessing Technology►Becta developments

■Emerging ‘embedding’ issues►Benchmarking/Pathfinder feedback

■HEFCE e-learning Strategy►3 yr update

■PVC/DVC e-learning SIG►update and relationship to HeLF

Academy Update: e-learning

■ Strategy revision and next phase developed

■ Released Autumn 08

■ Earlier phase primarily supply led

►Creating technological infrastructure in Schools

■ Next phase demand led►Personalisation for learners►Employer engagement

■ All sectors of education inc. HE

■ Aims to move institutions ‘next level’

■ Integration of HEFCE e-learning Strategy (Appendix?)

Examples of where Becta are going . . . .

DIUS/DCFS: Harnessing Technology

■ Examples of where Becta are going . . .

■ Exchange ►OHPs for data projectors,

►using whiteboards as projection screens

■ Enrich/Extend►whiteboards used interactively and

►with wider range of teaching resources and methodologies

■ Enhance►Deeper learning though the use of ICT based

teaching and learning resources

■ Learner Empowerment

DIUS/DCFS: Harnessing Technology

■ Interim Benchmarking report – 77 UK HE institutions● Need to build capacity and capability

● Enhancement rather than embedding (too technocentric)

● Course (re) Design is a key driver for change, i.e. to address specific L&T issues and integration with internal institutional processes and mechanisms

● An advanced technical infrastructure is required, but emphasis needs to be on informed use of tools and platforms

● Sustainable senior management commitment required to achieve the desired change

● Different types of institutions are developing new relationships, i.e. collaboration and sharing

● Sustainable enhancement/transformation will take longer then the original 2006/08 timescales

Emerging ‘embedding’ issues

■ 10yr Strategy released March 2005

■ Current 3 yr review followed by revision

■ Summer 2008 target release date for revision

■ Not evaluation, i.e. only 3yrs into 10yr Strategy

■ Review being carried out by Glenaffric

■ Focus is to validate Academy/JISC intelligence

■ Draft report (just) completed – final end April 08

■ HEFCE to then produce position statement

HEFCE e-learning Strategy: Review process

■Funding►HEFCE approach is ‘light touch’, i.e.

recognises:

● Changing HE landscape – diversity

● increasing institutional autonomy

►Enough funding already in system

►No additional funds (£31m distributed to HEIs in 2005 to launch Strategy)

►Capital funding letters to HEIs – little mention of e-learning

HEFCE e-learning Strategy: Context (1)

■Strategy is key for supporting other strategies:

►Employer engagement/workforce development

►Widening participation

►Flexible learning

■Current thinking:

►What should a revised e-learning Strategy look like?

►Do we need an all embracing e-Strategy, i.e.

● to draw together (underpin?) other HEFCE strategies?

HEFCE e-learning Strategy: Context (2)

►Transition to more of an emphasis on ‘learning’ rather than ‘e’

►Good (?) . . but transition is driven by events, e.g. ●changing HE landscape, ●institutional autonomy, ●funding mechanisms etc

►What does this mean for institutions and staff?

Challenges for the sector and HEIs

Academy plans . . . the way forward■ To consider ‘e-learning’ within wider L&T context –

integration into other areas of work

■ To organise its work around strategic functions and programmes:

► the latter, including Enhancement of learning through technology Programme, i.e. moving away from the term ‘e-learning’

■ Working at multiple levels – policy, institutional stakeholders, discipline focus through subject centres etc

■ For example . . . PVC/DVC Network

PVC/DVC Network – e-Learning SIG ■ 6 monthly meetings - next meeting arranged for April 23

■ Glenaffric to verbally report on Strategy review and HEFCE to present

■ A new and smaller Coordinating Group (7 PVCs + 2 co-chairs) recently established to take forward discussions outside of 6 monthly main meetings.

► HeLF, JISC and Academy reps in attendance

► The agreed terms of reference for the new Coordinating Group are three-fold:

● To generate policy discussions, provide strategic advice and to inform policy, i.e. specifically to HEFCE.

● To inform and advise other funding bodies on future funding areas, i.e. specifically the JISC

● To present models of practice, i.e. drawing together and disseminating examples of e-learning institutional practice to support the student learning experience.

■ Co-chaired by John Fothergill (Leicester) and Philip Garrahan (Sheffield Hallam)