JISC

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The project developed a 20 credit, 1st year undergraduate level module ‘Working in Groups’ for regeneration practitioners. The module was developed in collaboration with other universities, work-based learning providers and employers, based on an existing module at the University of Bolton; re-using and re-purposing content and resources from various authors, organisations and institutions.

Executive Summary

The project was a pilot from the Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance (GMSA) Advance programme to address the challenges of constructing a module that could be delivered in the classroom or online, using content sourced from different levels.

The validated standalone module would contribute to flexible, bite size learning in the regeneration sector in Greater Manchester, enabling students to build up and transfer credits to a larger qualification within a shell GMSA Advance framework validated by the University of Bolton and Manchester Metropolitan University. The module will be available on a number of portals including JORUM Open, and Moodle and WebCT virtual learning environments at the University of Bolton and partner institutions. A cohort of learners is expected to start the module in the 2009/10 academic year.

Legal issues surrounding Intellectual Property Rights and copyright of content were the most difficult and time consuming aspects of the project. A number of institutions although happy to contribute could not give the necessary permissions to re-use and re-purpose the content, as it was not clear what rights they held in the first instance. Where permissions were granted, grantors preferred to do this via email, as they found the contract templates too complex.

Another important legal issue was in relation to the JORUM depositors’ licence. The university’s legal team identified several issues with this. Jorum Open would enable institutions circumnavigate this issue through the use of Creative Commons licences. Collaboration and participation within the sector development group was another important issue that the project needed to grapple with.

In comparison, the technological issues were relatively straightforward. Tools developed by the JISC RELOAD Project enabled interoperability between environments and compliance with standards. Content was developed in WebCT and exported to Moodle. The main challenge was related to how to make the best use of the technologies available to deliver high quality content and interface for the users.

A model was developed to guide other institutions wishing to re-use and re-purpose existing content and contextualise learning in different sectors. The key lesson learnt from the project is related to IPR issues and the need to allow a large amount of time to obtain permissions for content. Finally, it highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to e-learning and rights management required within further and higher education to enhance innovation in teaching and learning.

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