**6. Evolution of E-learning content**

**Benefit Explanation Possible strategy to deploy in institutions**

Build capacity through delivery of core foundation modules across all programs using

Capture best practice on work placement models ensuring consistency across an institution.

Build capacity to integrate technology to build in formative assessment, improving retention rates.

Learning resources to support students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia can be developed. The archiving of audio files can assist participants who may have visual impairments.

Support resources such as language learning facilities for non-English speakers might be

Through strategic partnerships, use technology to deliver programs remotely, the capacity exists to build this further into postgraduate programs in

Reach a new student cohort who value flexibility.

Capturing of best practices through the use of technology and using exemplars to further integrate technology into curriculum delivery.

technology to support learning. Identify key modules that will enhance employability of students and support using

technology.

developed.

particular.

Many of the initiatives studied were aimed at equipping graduates to be "fit for purpose." The broad skills agenda features across the full spectrum of examples but employability and employer engagement were specific features of

400 E-Learning - Instructional Design, Organizational Strategy and Management

There is clear evidence that e-learning offers increased opportunities for formative assessment leading to real benefits in terms of student retention and achievement. There was evidence of improvements in pass rates and overall marks and a high degree of student engagement with the

with a range of learning difficulties in ways which would simply not have been possible in the past. Many case studies explored how this was achieved, and again, e-assessment and flexibility

Case studies demonstrated that the use of elearning has undoubtedly widened participation in UK higher education, be this participation by overseas students who would not previously have

been able to attend courses in the UK, by professionals who need to fit study into a busy working life, or by the groups of "non-traditional" learners who form the target of government

immediately tangible, but nonetheless significant, include the external (international) recognition of

Source: JISC [28]– Column 3 is proposed strategies to build capacity in an Educational Institution in Ireland.

widening participation strategies.

the quality of UK higher education, the professional development of staff, improved pedagogic approaches, and beneficial effects on the development of research communities.

**Table 3.** Potential tangible benefits of e-learning within higher education

Other benefits Other benefits which may appear less

Inclusion E-learning offers opportunities to support learners

were significant factors.

many developments.

process.

Skills and employment

Student achievement

Widening participation and social equality

Bruce [29], when discussing the evolution of technology, states that there are three scaling laws that apply: (i) Moore's Law – processor capabilities double every eighteen months, (ii) Saltzer's observation – solid-state and rotating memory double every twelve or so months, and (iii) Metcalfe's Law – the price of commodity bandwidth decreases by 50% every nine months. With the continued evolution of the Internet, providers of training and learning continue to integrate new technologies to improve the learning experience for the learner. Web 2.0 technologies have increased the availability and accessibility of content for both learners and instructors. Web 2.0 has enabled both instructors and learners to produce content, blurring the line between the instructor and the learner.

The range of initiatives and options available in the use of technology in the delivery of learning has promoted the option for educational institutions to collaborate in the development of content. Repositories of digital materials are now available in many disciplines to access elearning material [30]. Some of the more established initiatives in this field in the sharing of experiences and creation of communities of practice in the delivery of learning content are Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) in the US, JISC in the UK, and National Digital Learning Repository (NDLR) in Ireland. This trend towards repositories is an attempt to share knowledge and reduce the cost of learning content development. It also offers the advantage of shared experiences and collaboration allowing for shared risk and rewards in content development. There is evidence that developers of content are creating learning material referred to as reusable learning objects and are sharing them by placing them in learning object repositories [31]. However, Cormier and Siemens [32] suggest that the significant number of high-profile open courseware initiatives from elite universities suggest that content of itself is not a sufficient value point on which to build the future of higher education.

### **7. Looking to the future**

A report titled "Enhancing Learning and Teaching through the Use of Technology – A Revised Approach to HEFCE's Strategy for e-Learning" [17] has developed a framework to assist institutions in maximizing the strategic benefits of technology outlined in Table 4. Underpin‐ ning this report is recognition of the diverse institutional missions and strategic priorities meaning that it would be counter-productive to prescribe institutional activities. The intention of this HEFCE report is to highlight those strategic areas where institutions may see a benefit from investing in technology and to help institutions map those benefits to specific institutional goals, strategic plans, or internal documents.

The framework is designed to help classify priorities for development. The implementation scaffolding is designed to be flexible, and HEFCE anticipate that institutions will adjust this framework to suit their specific requirements. In order to plan effectively for enhancement, institutions will need to convert these into specific goals, development pathways, and measures of success.



of this HEFCE report is to highlight those strategic areas where institutions may see a benefit from investing in technology and to help institutions map those benefits to specific institutional

The framework is designed to help classify priorities for development. The implementation scaffolding is designed to be flexible, and HEFCE anticipate that institutions will adjust this framework to suit their specific requirements. In order to plan effectively for enhancement, institutions will need to convert these into specific goals, development pathways, and

**Activity area Strategic priorities Harnessing technology for strategic gain – examples of**

**development goals**

engage students.

aptitudes or needs.

the curriculum design process.

flexibility of curriculum offerings.

support curriculum planning.

of learning and research.

throughout their studies.

are studying.

review.

their individual needs.

Tutors have access to a wide range of tools to support teaching, and a wide range of high-quality resources to

Innovative uses of technology for learning are supported by

Technology is used to enhance the responsiveness and

Technology is used to help identify learners with specific

Information and information systems are used effectively to

Web 2.0 technologies are harnessed to support communities

E-assessment technologies are used to support innovative practices such as just-in-time assessment and peer review. Students are developing their digital and learning literacies

Technologies for teaching and research are joined up in ways that support scholarship across the institution.

Students can access information, support, expertise and guidance, and communicate with each other, wherever they

Tools for scholarly communication are widely used, for example for feedback, collaborative research, and peer

Tutors are collaborating in subject communities to produce

Students can access personalized services within institutional environments, and use personal tools to suit

high-quality, reusable learning resources.

goals, strategic plans, or internal documents.

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Enhancing excellence and

learners

and delivery

learners

resources

improving access

innovation in teaching and learning Enhancing flexibility and choice for

Enhancing student achievement Improving employability and skills Attracting and retaining learners Supporting research-based or enquiry-based learning Engaging employers (or other stakeholders) in curriculum design

Improving efficiency of curriculum design and delivery processes

Enhancing flexibility and choice for

Enhancing student achievement Improving employability and skills Widening participation and

Effective management of learning

Designing and maintaining effective

environments for learning

measures of success.

1. Pedagogy, curriculum design, and development

2.Learning resources and environments


**Table 4.** Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology: A suggested framework for institutions
