Study on designing and delivering e-learning
Research study on the effectiveness of resources, tools and support services used by practitioners in designing and delivering e-learning activities
The purpose of this study is to evaluate practitioner needs in relation to the application of e-learning pedagogy and expertise. The outcomes of this work will be used to inform the design of a series of practitioner-focused resources, drawing on the findings of the overall e-learning and pedagogy programme.
Aims and Objectives
The overall aim of the project is to review the impact of resources, tools and support services on e-learning practice. Specifically, its purpose is to establish what kinds of approach are most effective in helping teachers to develop their practice in this area.
The specific objectives are to:
- Review existing approaches to supporting practitioners’ e-learning practice
- Examine in greater detail the impact of resources, tools, national services and institutional services upon practice
- Synthesise the findings of these reviews and produce a typology or taxonomy of approaches to supporting practice
- Undertake empirical work to confirm and develop our understanding of the impact of these approaches on practice
- Use this to provide recommendations to the JISC for future work carried out through the E-learning and Pedagogy Programme
Project Methodology
The project is intended to provide a baseline and guidance for future work on the e-learning and pedagogy programme. Consequently its focus is on reviewing existing work through the production of detailed reviews and the synthesis of these. All reports are presented to the Expert Group constituted by JISC for this programme, providing cross-sectoral feedback on the work as it develops.
In addition, empirical work will be undertaken to confirm and develop our understanding of the issues involved. This will be co-ordinated by JISC and will work through the communities represented in the Expert Group.
Implications, Deliverables and Stakeholders
The primary outcome of the project will involve providing advice and recommendations to the JISC on future directions for work under the e-learning and pedagogy programme. The emphasis within these recommendations will be on the identification of resources or forms of action that have been shown to be effective in encouraging teachers to change their practice. More broadly, these recommendations may be of interest to managers and staff developers in education institutions in Further Education, Higher Education and Adult and Community Learning who are responsible for the development of e-learning.