OER in the field: institutions solving problems openly
Is your institution 'open'? Open education resources are becoming an essential component of academic practice. With the uncertainties of a new funding model to deal with, it is becoming harder than ever to convince institutional managers to support nice-to-have projects. Everything needs to be justified, both on a balance sheet and within a wider battle for hearts and minds. But... >>
Preparing for the future: a new guide on emerging practice in a digital age
The environment of further and higher education is changing in response to economic pressures, government policies and a cultural shift marked by an increasing emphasis on student satisfaction and concerns about the impact of rising student fees. In addition, the rapid growth in personal ownership of new and more powerful technologies such as mobile phones and tablet PCs, along with... >>
Looking to transform your curriculum?
It is a challenging time to be educating the next generation of learners. As fees increase, so do the expectations of learners who need top-quality courses with a broad appeal that equip them effectively for future employment. Keeping the curriculum responsive to these changing demands is essential to any institution’s marketing and learning and teaching strategies. Planning and designing the... >>
Imagine Google without a search box
If you are looking for audiovisual content it is hard to know where to start. Google can search vast amounts but there is a whole section on the web that is only available to education, and Google by itself is not enough for scholarly use. When we started creating a search environment to look at multiple databases in one we... >>
Engage students through blogging
Blogging is a well-established vehicle for personal reflection and commentary and can play an effective part in the delivery of formal curricula. But blogs and social networking sites also have the potential to engage students and improve the quality of their writing and communication skills. We are seeing good practice emerging where tutors are guiding students on how they can... >>
Why we can't afford not to invest in technology
At Jisc’s recent annual conference, both Professor Eric Thomas (Vice Chancellor of Bristol University) and I stressed that higher education cannot afford to slow down in its adoption of information and communications technology (ICT). Quite the contrary: the challenging financial environment and the increased international competition require innovative approaches to ensure that the UK remains a leader in world class... >>
Using digital media to improve teaching and learning
Accessing freely available media digital content and tools can be an effective way to improve educational provision and maximize resources in difficult times. On the other hand, without support, a sharing of best practice and awareness what we're getting into we might waste a lot of time and money undertaking tasks which, on reflection, should have been done by someone... >>
Meeting students' needs to improve retention
There are clear financial benefits for universities and colleges in ensuring that as many students as possible complete their course. Equally learners are paying more than ever for their education, so will be keen to see a return on their investment. There are a number of reasons why students drop-out of education due to issues such as financial pressures, difficulties... >>
Online Distance Learning: whose future?
To me, one of the enormous surprises regarding the Browne review of Higher Education funding was the complete absence of any mention of online or blended delivery. Here was a report about the future of the delivery of education at university level, but it missed a trick by omitting the innovative online delivery going on at present. Our recent study... >>
NUS report on technology: a personal response
This report to the Higher Education Funding Council for England by the National Union of Students had the remit to 'gain a broad overview of the level of demand from students – new and potential – for online learning provision in UK higher education institutions and students’ perceptions of that learning.' In their conclusions there are several issues at play... >>
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