E-learning – Why bother? A view from RSC Wales

“Donkeys with computers in Greece” by davesag available on Flickr under Creative Commons

e-Learning is ‘learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology’ e-Learning is fundamentally about learning and not about technology “A powerful addition to a person’s stock of mental tools. Nothing is given up in return”. (Seymour Papert, Mindstorms, 2 nd ed. 1993)

RSC Wales HE activities Work with key staff on e-learning development –FE, smaller HE, HE-in-FE, ACL, WBL –Advice on e-learning, e-resources, technical issues –Advise on, and broker, staff development Events open to all Online forums open to all – – Website (blogs are coming…) Signpost resources: eg. memory stick Work in partnership with JISC, the Academy and other organisations to share good practice

LLUK minimum core requirements for ICT (June 2007) Minimum core document

“…. Learners and teachers make very good and innovative use of virtual learning environment materials…” A recent (2006) Inspection Report for a Welsh FE College commented…

HEFCW Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Technology (2008) –“Our vision is that enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology should be considered a normal part of mainstream provision, processes and practices.”

Increasing numbers Flexibility of time and place Recruitment and retention of Generation Y Recording achievement and reflection Skills and employability Institutional strategy Quality Continuity if staff change Common drivers

In their own words: learner voices Findings: students use technologies to personalise and manage their learning Often do not register the “e” – in “e-learning” Still need their tutors

Exploring tangible benefits of E-learning 37 case studies Explores diversity of e- learning in HE Identifies where benefits are being found

Cost savings Flexibility of time and place Recruitment and retention of Generation Y Achievement Skills and employability Staff development Quality Inclusion Making Higher Education visible Research communities Improved pedagogy Tangible benefits

VLEs – Virtual Learning Environments Online ‘store’ and much more Increasing emphasis on communication tools and integration with other systems

Students can take more control of their own learning… …with good quality learning resources First World War Poetry Archive Mind maps

Interactivity… …engagement Above image: Copyright HEFCE 2005

Web 2.0 youTube ( ) Flickr Del.icio.us Instant messaging MySpace Blogs ( Facebook Wikis

mobile technology helps learning in many scenarios Above image Copyright HEFCE 2005

Accessibility and inclusion

e-Portfolios A way of gathering a range of different types learning evidence including text, spreadsheet, video, audio, blog ile/tour/pfotour.aspwww.elgg.net ile/tour/pfotour.asp

Assessment and managing plagiarism

“Samba in style” by Carf, available on Flickr under Creative Commons

Building a Community of Practice – example: Swansea University’s Learning Lab Wiki-based web space Personal support Bite-sized staff development tailored to needs Social dimension

Some more JISC-funded advisory services and resources : Techdis (Accessibility) TASI : Images (& Moving Images and Sound) JISC Legal JISC IPAS - Internet Plagiarism Advisory Service JISC Collections – subscription and free resources Intute and Virtual Training Suite

Effective Practice with e- Learning –Emphasis on “Design for Learning” –“Designing in” the technology where appropriate JISC projects produce useful publications (including video case studies) at ” True computer literacy is not just knowing how to make use of computers… it is knowing when it is appropriate to do so.” Seymour Papert

Active, enjoyable learning that raises motivation Voting Systems (aka personal response system or ‘clickers’) Video clip: noprac/practitioner/strathcly de.html

What technology can I use to…articulate and communicate knowledge / understanding?

Download full Phoebe report at

No need to go it alone… Keep talking to your Subject Centre Contact your local RSC Talk to the e-learning person in your institution Enlist help from your staff development unit Make friends with your librarians Look out for project opportunities Collaborate Next steps?

Some forthcoming events Workshops June –Change management –Managing Multiple Projects Promoting Innovation through Virtual Learning - Merthyr Tydfil College conference 1 July Wales Moodle Moot 2 July Swansea University and other Swansea staff - E-Learning and Beer social - 12 June – The Wig More details available from RSC Wales

Lis Parcell Christine Davies (videos, and pictures of people and places, in this presentation were obtained from JISC Case Studies, © 2004/5 HEFCE)