Jisc e-learning projects reach final of international awards

Learning Impact Awards Finalist: Lexdis

The first nomination is for LexDis, a project aimed at those using or developing online learning materials. LexDis provides handy hints, tips and suggestions for using technologies that make e-learning easier: ‘assistive technologies’ for short. 

LexDis project leader E.A. Draffan said: 'The team and I are thrilled to be nominated. It is recognition of the importance of the 'Learner Voice' in a participatory project that will enhance the value of e-learning.'  Read a Guardian article on the project here.  

Russell Newman, who is both a participating student and a member of the LexDis development team, added: 'As a student on the 'IT in Organisations' degree, I am very pleased to have been involved with this project.  It has introduced me to accessibility and research which I hope to continue as a postgraduate.'

Learning Impact Awards Finalist: The SIMPLE project

The second finalist is the SIMPLE project, headed by Paul Maharg at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, in conjunction with Futurelab gaming technologies. The SIMPLE project is a transactional learning environment (TLE) that provides simulated learning environments in order to deepen students’ professional experiences whilst studying. Game-based learning and simulation is a powerful mode of learning, used by industries as diverse as aviation and health sciences.

Over 50% of full-time UK undergraduates take professional or vocational courses, but there is no widely available, open-source simulation environment for professional learning. Upon completion, SIMPLE’s open source, open standards TLE 2.0 will fill this gap in the market, becoming available, free at point of use, to HE and FE institutions. 

Paul Maharg of the SIMPLE project was delighted with the nomination, saying: ‘It recognises the innovative work on simulation done, not just by our core team but by our participating project staff as well. It also shows our funders, Jisc and the HEA UK Centre for Legal Education, that the project will continue after its initial funding period. Fingers crossed that we win something on the day!'

Other finalists include:

• MrCute Moodle Repository System Worcester College of Technology
• Racing Academy University of Bath and Lateral Visions
• CURVE Equella, The Learning Edge Europe and Coventry University
• AccessApps developed by the Jisc Regional Support Centre for Scotland North and East

Find further information on the IMS Learning Impact Awards
Visit the 'SIMPLE Community' site
Read more about the Jisc e-pedagogy programme behind LexDis