JISC

Overview

This study is concerned with the administrative processes and challenges around timetabling and resource scheduling for learning opportunities, and the way in which these link with curriculum and session planning.

The study forms a component of the JISC e-Learning programme. The JISC e-Framework Programme is currently in the process of building an innovation knowledgebase to gather the achievements of JISC funded projects and make them discoverable. The knowledge base will focus on aspects such as process maps and models, and functional aspects of software. As such, it is designed to complement the service technology components that are gathered in the international e-framework knowledgebase. The outputs of this study are expected to contribute to the new innovation knowledge base.

Current and previous work of relevance to this study includes the Group Calendaring Web Services project (GCWS), the Programme Specification Domain Map (P-SPEX), the eXchanging Course-Related Information project (XCRI) and the London Pedagogic Planner.

Aims and Objectives

The aims of this study are to provide an overview and examples of the processes involved in timetabling and resource scheduling for learning opportunities, to summarise how well these are supported by currently available technology, and to identify where problems arise.

The objectives of the study are:

• to describe the common processes involved in timetabling and resource scheduling for learning opportunities,
• to outline the extent to which these processes are supported by technology
• to identify where in current processes common problems arise
• to identify how re-engineered processes could be effectively supported by technology.

Project Methodology

A consultation approach to delivery will be adopted throughout this project. This will consist of four stages commencing in May 2008 and terminating at the end of February 2009.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

The ultimate deliverable from this study will be a Final Report to be submitted and agreed during February 2009. The report will be concise (less than 40 pages), written in clear, plain English, intended for the JISC Executive and other organisations with an interest in timetabling and resource scheduling, and will include:

• an executive summary of the findings of the study;
• brief description of the methodology adopted;
• a summary of the common processes in use in higher education for timetabling and resource scheduling, an assessment of the extent to which these are supported by technology, and an identification of where problems arise;
• a summary of the ways in which these processes could be improved and better supported by technology;
• an appendix listing the institutions and organisations that provided comments and information for the study.

Scenarios of ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ process models for the common processes in timetabling and resource scheduling will be included as an annex to the main report.

The outputs from this project are intended for use by the JISC Executive and any other organisations with an interest in timetabling and resource scheduling. This group is likely to include learning providers within the higher and further education sectors, and technology suppliers interested in developing their product offering.It is envisaged that these groups will be able to use the report and other associated deliverables from this study to better understand the current landscape, and to identify areas of innovative practice within this. The study will also identify issues, challenges and opportunities for development relating to administration of the process areas.

Lead Organisation

• Oakleigh Consulting Ltd.