JISC

This project is part of the Enhancing JISC data services for Teaching and Learning project cluster in this particular programme. Projects in this cluster are aimed at improving access to and accessibility of JISC resources in support of learning and teaching.

Background

Learning technology is a wide and rapidly evolving field. Consequently, an increasingly large group of professionals has arisen with highly specialised skills and capabilities in the use of technology in learning and teaching. More and more people need access and guidance to this complex subject. In addition to the cadre of specialists who promote and support change at an institutional level, a significant number of academics are now using and planning to use ICT in their courses. Learning technology is also growing into an academic research discipline in its own right, bringing a new audience of students to the field. Furthermore, those working in the field of learning technology benefit enormously from the collaboration and exchange of expertise with colleagues in other institutions with similar roles.

There is therefore a real need to establish an accessible and comprehensive ‘one-stop’ web site or portal with a set of targeted, structured and evaluated online resources as well as interactive communities of practice for users of learning technologies wishing exchange materials, approaches and perspectives. A number of relevant surveys indicate a strong need for integrating information, resources and communication amongst learning technologists.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to assist in integrating the growing array of groups and projects across the HE and FE sectors producing information and materials for supporting academic development in the use of C&IT in learning and teaching. In doing so, the project aims to satisfy the need to link resources to real user experiences through the integration of networking opportunities to discuss working practices, share experiences and exchange materials. The specific objectives are to:

• develop a web-based portal for learning technologists
• provide a distributed national resource for academic and support staff involved in the integration and use of C&IT in learning and teaching
• provide a central repository for exchanging learning technology related materials for staff and educational development, strategies and future development plans
• provide an opportunity to review and recognise highly used and effective materials and approaches, so providing a user-driven evaluation marker for best practice
• provide a forum for sharing, discussing and collaborating on effective practice

Project design

The development of the portal will be conducted using a study approach that provides a broad picture of current awareness of available resources for using C&IT in learning and teaching across HE in particular, existing materials in use by support staff, and the needs of a range of staff to support working practice. The project will take account of findings from recent surveys in this area on the usefulness of case studies and best practice guidelines. Existing gateways and RDN hubs in related subjects will be scrutinised for cross-linking and searching of relevant materials. The project will integrate a range of evaluation methodologies throughout the development of the web portal, including user needs analysis and disseminate its activities and outcomes widely. Development of an online ‘community of practice’ for users of learning technologies will be a key objective of the evaluation methodology.

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

The project will produce the following deliverables:

• Website providing integrated and value-added guide to online resources
• Development of a focused learning technology user community and active 'expert' resource database
• Easy-to-use mechanisms to encourage active user community contributing and sharing of reviews and resources
• Active discussion forum, activity statistics, electronic mail list
• User-specific guidelines to best practice in the integration of resources in teaching and learning
• Evaluation report on the efficacy of the portal to support academics and learning technologists in their working practice
• Workshops held nationally through ALT, UCISA and the TLT-Officers SIG regional meetings.