1 E-University developments in Britain Professor Paul Bacsich Sheffield Hallam University Great Britain

2 Overview –E-University theory –The new UK e-University –University for Industry –The Open University response –Oxbridge and the Russell Group –New Universities –Scotland –Issues, analysis and conclusions

3 E-University Theory - 1 Dimensions of Virtuality Students Staff IT Legal Buildings Modules

4 E-University Theory - 2 Business Models OutsourcingOutsourcing Joint venturesJoint ventures Consortia...Consortia... Broker modelsBroker models University-Corporate partnershipsUniversity-Corporate partnerships

5 UK e-University student-orientatedstudent-orientated qualityquality innovationinnovation flexibilityflexibility cost-effectivenesscost-effectiveness

6 UK e-University - 2 Structure and market Holding company collectively owned by HEIsHolding company collectively owned by HEIs Joint venture with corporate worldJoint venture with corporate world Market:Market: –UK postgraduates and CPD –corporate universities and businesses –selected overseas markets – individuals, companies or governments

7 University for Industry Classic Broker modelClassic Broker model Oriented to colleges not universitiesOriented to colleges not universities –e.g. adult literacy and numeracy DirigisteDirigiste Standardised technology and systemsStandardised technology and systems Fretwell-Downing “Learning Environment”Fretwell-Downing “Learning Environment”

8 University for Industry - 2 New Directions Bite-sized learningBite-sized learning Online learning (I.e. Web not CD-ROM)Online learning (I.e. Web not CD-ROM) Worldwide strategic partnershipsWorldwide strategic partnerships

9 UK Open University response “We will be an e-university too”“We will be an e-university too” 150,000 students online, via FirstClass150,000 students online, via FirstClass One course has 13,000 students onlineOne course has 13,000 students online Corporate University initiativeCorporate University initiative US Open University subsidiaryUS Open University subsidiary

10 Oxbridge and Russell Group Cambridge-OU alliance for e-MBACambridge-OU alliance for e-MBA Oxford with Stanford, Princeton, YaleOxford with Stanford, Princeton, Yale Warwick??Warwick?? Universitas21: –Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham + worldwide Sheffield + US partners; etc etcSheffield + US partners; etc etc

11 New Universities Global University Alliance: University Alliance: –Derby, Glamorgan + overseas Large new universities on their own:Large new universities on their own: –Sheffield Hallam: “Virtual Campus”: large FirstClass site –De Montfort: “Electronic Campus” –Coventry: first large UK WebCT site –Robert Gordons –Huddersfield: first UK Blackboard site

12 Scotland University of Highlands and IslandsUniversity of Highlands and Islands –consortium of colleges Scottish University for Industry:Scottish University for Industry: –focus on linking learners to learning opportunities –“a broker and facilitator, providing information, support, guidance, advice and encouragement to learners” –not chosen a standard MLE yet

13 Issues - 1 Learning System StandardsLearning System Standards Change ManagementChange Management RolesRoles –of consortia –of “conventional institutions” –of funding agencies (HEFCE, JISC, etc) Procurement of systemsProcurement of systems

14 Issues - 2 New Procurement Paradigm “conversation” between customer and supplier business models“conversation” between customer and supplier business models Generalised features:Generalised features: – –system information (such as architecture, scalability, standards) – –user information (such as “industrial- strength” reference sites) – – “futures” information on pedagogy and technology

15 Issues - 3 Looking “beyond” HE and FE UK HE and FE models inadequately richUK HE and FE models inadequately rich Must look “across borders”:Must look “across borders”: –at corporate U’s –at schools –at business models in e-business –at US/Canadian/Far East HE models

16 Issues - 4 Barriers to e-universities –Lack of training in new technologies –Lack of transparent tools –Lack of compelling pedagogical evidence to support a move to e-learning –Lack of standards –Lack of water-proof network: “net tone” –(Lack of) Diffusion of innovators as well as innovations?

17 Issues - 5 Implementation errors –An old or too young person is given the lead role –R&D becomes more exciting than implementation –Adoption/roll-out jump is badly done –Periphery fights the centre –An old-fashioned department gains control –Funding dies out (EU beware) –Lack of support from top management –Lack of compelling positive vision –Drift into technical management –Omitting to do constant awareness-raising

18 Thanks for listening Professor Paul Bacsich Virtual Campus Research Programme Sheffield Hallam University Great Britain