JISC

The year 2007-08 began with the launch of a JISC publication which explored e-learning, its benefits, possibilities and challenges, from the perspective of the learner. In Their Own Words includes video case studies of five learner ‘voices’, a CD-ROM with original reports, short guides summarising key messages for different sectors and pull-out information sheets. Part of a two-phase strand of JISC’s e-Learning Programme on ‘Learner Experiences of e-Learning’, the publication synthesised material gathered during the first phase of activities, providing striking insights into the ways in which digital learners use technologies for learning.

Article on In Their Own Words (Inform 19)

Important research was published soon after which looked at the attitudes to technology of 16-18 year olds hoping to go to university. The research, commissioned by JISC and conducted by Ipsos MORI, looked at the attitudes of over 500 young people using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. It found that those hoping to go to university are ‘digital natives’ who use social networking sites regularly and are quickly able to perceive the potential benefits and limitations of new technologies in their social and academic lives, when presented with examples of their use.

Briefing Paper was distributed which set out the implications for colleges and universities of the changing ways in which learners access information and interact with their teachers and their institutions.
Article on the research: JISC Inform

Podcast on both this research and In Their Own Words: What do learners think of ICT?
(Duration: 24:00)
  

Following the success of the JISC Online Conference in June 2007, two conference e-books were published in December on ‘institutional transformation’ and ‘supporting lifelong learning’, both important themes of the conference. Although the e-books were not intended to replace the energy and immediacy of participating in online debate and discussion, they provided an insight into the rich activities and challenges the conference provided, with summaries of the discussions and links to recommended resources.

JISC was among a number of organisations supporting an independent inquiry into the changing learner experience and its implications for universities. Chaired by Professor Sir David Melville CBE, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kent, and backed by the leading bodies in UK higher and further education, the Committee began its work in February 2008 to consider the impact of the newest technologies such as social networking and mobile devices on the behaviour and attitudes of learners coming up to, and just arrived in, higher education. The Committee of Inquiry is due to publish its report in early 2009.

Guardian Article on the Committee’s work

Evaluating students’ knowledge through online assessment is becoming an area of increasing importance in learning and teaching, and JISC services continued their work to make available a range of resources to support practitioners in this area. Examples of such work include: JISC infoNet’s infoKit on Effective Use of Virtual Learning Environments which introduces a variety of the techniques and types of system available; resources from JISC TechDis designed to support accessibility in assessment; and the work of JISC iPAS to provide advice and guidance on how to deal with cut-and-paste Internet plagiarism.

Podcast on these and other resources: Find your way around e-assessment
(Duration: 13:28)

For the first time JISC sponsored a Times Higher award – for Outstanding ICT initiative – which provided a national showcase for dozens of examples of innovative e-learning initiatives across the UK. Among these was the eventual winner – the e-course team at the School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham – who won the award for harnessing technology to forge a ‘partnership’ between students and staff and overcome the challenges of physical remoteness, a growing number of teaching placements and a high number of part-time teachers.

Times Higher’s announcement THE Awards

Podcast on the winners: Meet the winners of the ICT award
(Duration: 11:17)

Article on the e-course team at Birmingham (Inform 20)

A publication was launched by JISC infoNet during the last year – called Exploring the tangible benefits of e-learning - which attempted to answer important questions about the benefits of e-learning. Exploring these questions through a wide range of case studies on subjects as diverse as e-portfolios, assessment, student retention, gaming and much more, the publication attempted to make sense of the diversity of current e-learning practice across the HE sector and sought out evidence that technology-enhanced learning is delivering tangible benefits for learners, teachers and institutions. The publication was funded as a result of collaboration between JISC infoNet, ALT (Association for Learning Technology) and the Higher Education Academy.

JISC’s e-learning programme supported the work of ALT (Association for Learning Technology) by offering a 50 per cent reduction on certification fees for learning technology practitioners applying to become Certified Members of the Association. Learning technologists are actively involved in managing, researching, supporting or enabling learning with the use of ICT and the scheme supported ALT’s activities to encourage the greater recognition of the work of learning technologists.

Following on from survey results released earlier in the year, further research commissioned by JISC and carried out by Ipsos MORI suggested that students were starting to mix their social networking sites with their academic studies and inviting tutors and lecturers into their virtual space. The research built upon on the initial study when 500 students were asked to indicate their expectations of technology provision when entering into higher education. The new data followed the same learners studying as first years at higher education institutions, compared to the previous study when they were still at school. As with the earlier research, a Briefing Paper was distributed to support institutional planning.

Podcast on this work: Great expectations of ICT
(Duration: 11:05)

Building on earlier innovation work on learning spaces, JISC services have been continuing to support colleges and universities as they seek to make the most of increased investment in new build and refurbishment activities. JISC infoNet and the Regional Support Centres have been particularly active in this area, with the former’s infoKit on learning spaces providing support and the latter’s regional forums bringing together managers, librarians, practitioners to explore new ways of thinking about innovative design and how such design can support innovations in pedagogy and improve the learner experience.

Podcast Library spaces for the Google Generation 
(Duration: 9:27)

Podcast Creating 21st century learning spaces
(Duration: 8:54)

Article on the RSCs’ support for this work (Inform 22)


Case studies were published during the last year from the Distributed e-learning programme which highlighted the ways in which technology is supporting progression and widening participation across all education sectors. The programme, which ended in 2006, developed technologies and explored cultural and organisational issues around the use of technology, particularly with regional and subject communities.

Podcast on these case studies: Timeline to the future
(Duration: 10:38)

Examples of the case studies (Inform 21)

Digital diversity and learner experiences were a major theme of the JISC Innovation Forum held at the University of Keele in June. Bringing together more than 300 representatives from JISC projects, services, committees and staff, the forum provided a showcase for some of the most innovative work being undertaken within the sector. Delegates heard about the growing body of evidence on the habits of young learners and their engagement with technology through such JISC-funded activities as the Google Generation report, the Ipsos MORI market research and the learner experiences of e-learning programme.

Podcast The importance of innovation to the future of higher education 
Sarah Porter, Head of Innovation Group, JISC (Duration: 12:41)

Podcast JISC and the higher education sector: challenges and opportunities
John Selby, Director of Education and Widening Participation, HEFCE (Duration: 16:57)  

Read the final report from the JISC Innovation Form 2008