JISC CETIS undertakes research and development activities that assist in formulating advice and guidance to the FE sector on a variety of aspects of educational technology. It makes this available via Special Interest Groups, reports, events and other routes. The principal benefits which this brings to the FE sector include reductions in the risk and cost of implementing and using technology, and reducing the cost of acquiring and implementing software through the use of open source solutions

JISC Services Case Study - JISC CETIS

JISC CETIS undertakes research and development activities that assist in formulating advice and guidance to the FE sector on a variety of aspects of educational technology. It makes this available via Special Interest Groups, reports, events and other routes. The principal benefits which this brings to the FE sector include reductions in the risk and cost of implementing and using technology, and reducing the cost of acquiring and implementing software through the use of open source solutions.

Reducing risk, uncertainty and cost

'JISC CETIS has an global reputation for its expertise, leadership, research and development in the Learning Education Technology (LET) domain' JISC CETIS is a JISC Innovation Support Centre providing advice to UK Higher and Post-16 Education on educational technology and standards. Its aims include:

  • establishing interoperability specifications, standards and applications
  • promoting and supporting the understanding, implementation, effective use and adoption of open source standards for learning technology
  • co-operating with others to ensure that the above aims are, as far as possible, realised in a common way
  • contributing to the tasks involved in establishing interoperability

The FE sector is going through a period of rapid change in the use of technology to support teaching and learning. This has been underway for several years and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Consequently there is a need for an expert and impartial source of advice and support to help FE colleges make decisions about what technology to adopt, how to use it effectively, and the associated implications for staff training, budgeting, purchasing, implementation, and ongoing support.

There is a particular need for advice and support in respect of selecting and implementing open source solutions, VLEs, Learning Management Systems, Management Information Systems, and interoperability between these.

About JISC CETIS

CETIS supports the FE sector through:JISC CETIS logo

  • identifying interoperability needs and advising on how these can be addressed
  • working with the FE community to agree Application Profiles that tailor existing specifications to meet community needs
  • disseminating information about specifications, standards and Application Profiles to the FE community and its suppliers
  • providing cost-benefit analyses which compare the costs of adoption with the costs of no action
  • building knowledge and capacity in the FE sector
  • developing and sharing good practice in the installation and integration of open standards-based services and systems
  • developing and sharing processes that support effective use of these
  • developing standards-based learning activities and content
  • developing and supporting innovation in the use of technology
  • advising colleges about the organisational changes that are needed to effectively embed learning technologies

CETIS doesn’t work directly with individual colleges but contributes advice and support via CETIS Special Interest Groups, workshops, reports, its website and a variety of JISC funded projects. Consequently RSCs could be a principal channel for providing information and support to FE colleges by organising events and visits to colleges as well as responding to enquiries. This has staffing and training implications for RSCs.

Impact on learning providers

CETIS can help FE colleges reduce the risk and cost of implementing and using technology. For example it has been estimated by the ISB (Information Standards Board: a DCSF and DIUS body) that the XCRI project (the Exchange For Course Related Information) could save the education sector in the region of £6 million per annum.

XCRI is just one of many initiatives where CETIS is leading the application of teaching and learning standards and the educational application of other standards from the wider technology community. Each of these initiatives has the potential to significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning.

'For over a decade It has been at the forefront of the application of LET standards in the HE/FE sectors.'

Paul Hollins (Deputy director, JISC CETIS)

Key messages

CETIS undertakes research and development activities that assist in formulating advice and guidance to the FE sector on a variety of aspects of educational technology. This advice is instrumental in helping colleges select and implement solutions, and in reducing the cost of educational technology.  CETIS is well placed to work with RSCs to provide information and support to FE colleges through a variety of mechanisms such as Special Interest Groups and local events.

Further information

JISC CETIS JISC CETIS logo

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