JISC

The purpose of this project is to develop a virtual information commons using the Nexus website to highlight good practice in the sector, and scope options for possible development of a physical information commons to promote peer support among academics.

Overview

There is an institutional need at Aberystwyth University for a more integrated way to share good practice in technology-enhanced learning from the HE sector with AU staff, and for AU staff to share good practice with each other. We already promote relevant JISC and HEA materials to staff and senior management in a number of ways, but would like to embed a formal dissemination channel to ensure that useful documents reach the people who need them the most in a timely fashion in order to bring excellence into the University.

Aims and objectives

The aim of this project is to scope, review and promote relevant resources and project outputs from JISC and the HEA for supporting good practice in technology-enhanced learning, creating a virtual (online) information commons and exploring proof-of-concept for future development of a physical (face-to-face) information commons. The Building Capacity Programme funding will not be used for the actual development of the physical information commons, but only the research necessary to plan it appropriately. The online and face-to-face activities will be designed to complement each other and extend the dissemination of good practice as widely as possible.

Project methodology

• Review strategic objectives – project team
• Align JISC / HE Academy Projects with strategic objectives – project manager
• Embed monitoring process – project team with project team
• Integrate resources from JISC/HEA into Nexus – project manager
• Integrate Nexus into EvidenceNet – project manager
• Review approaches used to promote peer support among academics – project manager
• Organise/evaluate pilot event in the potential Information Commons – project team
• Write case studies for two main workpackages – project manager
• Produce guides for other institutions – project manager
• Write testimonial – chair of project board
• Write evaluation of project– project manager with consultant

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

• Report on institutional needs
• Review of projects / services mapped onto institutional needs
• Models for institutional engagement with HE Academy
• Expansion of Nexus website adding a section dedicated to JISC and HEA resources
• Key resources from AU contributed to EvidenceNet 
• Report on approaches to promoting peer support among academics taken elsewhere
• Pilot good practice dissemination event held in the space.
• One case study for each of the two major workpackages (online and in-person support)
• Recommendations for development of a physical Information Commons
• Testimonial from Executive Management team
• Evaluation report