Training key to embedding technology enhanced learning
This week (9 September 2008) UCISA will announce the findings of its Technology Enhanced Learning report which was Jisc-funded.
The report highlights a number of key success factors when looking at enhanced learning through technology. One of the conclusions from the report is that a primary driver for technology enhanced learning is to ‘meet students' expectations’.
Over half UK higher education institutions participated in the survey to understand how they use any ‘online facility or system that directly supports learning and teaching’.
The report shows that key success factors include:
- a dedicated local champion to help promote and develop technology enhanced learning within higher education institutions
- enabling academics the time to learn and develop the skills to use technology based tools
- strategic direction is needed to guide academics on the best use of web 2.0 technologies such as streaming media, mobile computing and pod-casts to aid teaching and learning
The 2008 report is a continuation of previous studies carried out between 2001 and 2005. Since these initial surveys there is a noticeable increase in the number of tools used to enhance learning through technology.
Podcasting, e-portfolios, e-assessments, blogs and wikis have all risen in their usage with the use of web 2.0 showing the most significant increase.
Richard Walker, e-Learning development team manager and co-author of the report, from the University of York said, “One of the conclusions from the report is that a primary driver for technology enhanced learning is to ‘meet students' expectations’.
“As learners access education in a mixture of full time and part-time study, higher education institutions are looking as ways to enable learners to study however and wherever they are.
“Using technology to facilitate this to happen is one way to meet their expectations.”
The survey was completed with contributions from Jisc, ALT, HELF and UCISA