e-Learning Programme: Call for projects looking to transform curriculum delivery through technology
Background
The aim of the JISC e-Learning programme is to enable UK further and higher education to create a better learning environment for all learners, wherever and however they study. Its vision is of a world where learners, teachers, researchers and wider institutional stakeholders use technology to enhance the overall educational experience by improving flexibility and creativity and by encouraging comprehensive and diverse personal, high quality learning, teaching and research.
What do we mean by curriculum delivery?
‘Curriculum delivery’ in this circular is meant as shorthand to embrace the many ways in which learners are helped to achieve the outcomes offered to them by a curriculum. In curriculum delivery, learning and teaching staff may have considerable freedom to plan sessions, choose materials, and decide how to support a specific cohort of learners to achieve their goals. Individual learners may also have considerable flexibility in how they engage with curriculum resources. Curriculum delivery addresses the questions ‘how will these learners achieve?’ and ‘what challenges and support do they need?’ as they encounter the curriculum. Effective curriculum delivery also asks ‘what kinds of interactions are these learners engaging in and how are these being supported’? It also asks ‘how will learners be given feedback on their progress and assessed on their achievements’? and seeks to continuously enhance the opportunities presented for learning.
Projects funded under this circular will differ from projects funded under JISC Circular 5/08 on curriculum design in that they will focus on processes which take place when real learners engage with a designed curriculum. Teaching, learning support, access to learning opportunities and resources, dialogues and interactions, advice and guidance, coaching, mentorship, peer learning, feedback and formative assessment, personal development planning and tutoring are all processes that might be involved.
Several programmes have already explored aspects of curriculum delivery and support. These are outlined in the briefing paper (PDF) Bidders are encouraged to explore this background work and consider how they can build on it.
What funding is available for this call?
Funding of up to £200,000 per project is available with project expected to last for two years. 10 - 14 projects are sought.
Proposals may be submitted by HE institutions funded via HEFCE and HEFCW. FE institutions in England that teach HE to more than 400 FTEs are also eligible to bid provided proposals demonstrate how the work supports the HE in FE agenda.
All FE Colleges in England (including those with fewer than 400 FTEs) may bid against funds for two projects to be provided by Becta. The proposals funded by Becta must demonstrate how the work supports FE provision.
The deadine for submissions is 12:00 noon on Friday 1 August 2008.
How can I find out more information about the call?
See funding call: Circular 08/08
JISC is holding a community briefing event where potential bidders will be given information about the background to the call, its objectives and the bidding process. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the call. This meeting will take place on 24 June 2008 in Birmingham.
Members of the community are invited to register for the community briefing meeting.
For further information about the call please contact Lisa Gray