Online learning
The issue
UK universities and colleges need to make online learning a central part of their strategies if they are to stay competitive globally, according to the report from the Online Learning Task Force.
How technology can help
Online learning offers flexible, new ways of learning especially suited to international students, or those combining study with other commitments. However, it can’t entirely substitute face-to-face interaction so a blend of online and campus-based learning is recommended.
Open Educational Resources
Teaching and learning materials that are freely available online for everyone to use and repurpose.They can transform learning and raise institutional profiles by making a wealth of material available to staff and students.
- OER guide - explores learning and teaching, management, legal and technical issues you will need to consider when planning to make your educational resources openly available.
Virtual learning environments
Enabling various online interactions between learners and tutors with a number of benefits to both.
Incorporate e-Portfolios into online learning
Online records of individual achievement saving time and administration and acting as an effective feedback tool for students and staff.
Mobile apps and social media
Extend your learning environment using these familiar methods to meet student expectations.
- Video case study - find out how students at the University of Leeds are using mobiles to access their e-portfolios and submit assessments
- Extending the learning environment briefing
Digital repositories
Store your online learning resources to enable them to be maintained for future use and to be accessed easily by students and staff.
- Digital repositories infoKit - guidance on setting up a repository; the benefits and various options for use; and the advantages of integrating them with other systems such as Virtual Learning Environments.
Further resources
- Jisc radio shows - Episode 9 of Jisc on air describes how to deliver free Massively Open Online Courses (MOOC for short), while episode 5 discusses how to make the transition to online learning.
- Effective practice in a digital age - An introduction to the design and facilitation of learning using technologies, many of them online.