Slides from keynote presentation given at UK Heads of e-Learning Forum (HeLF) 10th Anniversary Event. Slides reflection on a cross section of key Scottish e-learning initiatives, and their impact, over the last 10 years.

1. HeLF 10th Anniversary Event
Scottish initiatives in
e-Learning
Enhancement-led Innovation
Dr David Walker
University of Dundee
@drdjwalker

2. http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/

3. Impact?
Fixed term funded educational
technology projects "...limited
pedagogical transformation"
which ends when funding runs
out.
http://www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/21955

4. Pedagogy Pre-defined?
“…a lot of what we do online has been predefined by learning management systems, predefined by the web spaces we inhabit for
learning”
Pedagogy of Uncertainty (Schulman, 2005)
“…students are making sense of their own
discomfort…together”

5. Overview
• Learners and the Learner Voice
• Strategy
• Curriculum Innovation
• Future Directions and
Conversations

6. Learner Experiences of e-Learning
• Jisc-funded project as part of
e-Learning Programme
• Learner Experiences of eLearning (LEX)
• Collaboration between GCU
and Open Learning
Partnership
• Focus on learner voices across
post-16 education
• Interpretative methodology
(IPA) – capture rich narratives
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/LEX%20Final%20Report_August06.pdf

7. Outcomes & Implications
• Learner experiences and preferences similar across sectors –
highly developed views on role and benefits of e-learning
• Relationship between lecturer engagement with technology
and learner attitudes
• Learners skilful in deploying preferred learning strategies
when using technology
• Evidence of increased engagement through enhanced choice
and control
• Informed research in other aspects of e-learning,
assessment & digital literacy:
– Jisc „In their own words‟ publication
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/elearningpedagogy/iowfinal.pdf
– Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age

8. TESEP Project
• SFC e-learning Transformation
Project
• Transforming and Enhancing
the Student Experience through
Pedagogy
• Collaborative project between
Edinburgh Napier, Lauder
College and Telford
• Focus on strategic approaches
to developing learner-centred
learning and teaching practices
• Learners in control
http://www2.napier.ac.uk/transform/

9. Outcomes & Implications
• Expert group supported practitioners (seconded to TESEP
project) to make changes to practice – cascade model
required each practitioners to disseminate information
internally.
• Videos case studies and evaluation matrix developed
• Tools produced to help institutions apply TESEP approach
with interactive practitioner & institutional case studies
• Informed further initiatives and new models to support
embedding of e-learning:
– Taking forward change in technology-enhanced education
http://strategycascade.wordpress.com/
– 3E Framework
http://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/vice-principal-academic/academic/TEL/TechBenchmark/Pages/3E.aspx

10. REAP Project
• SFC e-Learning Transformation
Project (managed by Jisc)
• Re-engineering Assessment
Practices
• Collaboration between
Strathclyde, Glasgow and GCU
• Redesigned assessment across
19 HE classes supported by
technology
• Range of case studies and project
outputs – online conference
http://www.reap.ac.uk/

11. Outcomes & Implications
• Learning and efficiency gains across a range of
disciplines
• Students given active role in their learning – evidence of
increased time-on-task and greater feedback satisfaction
• Principles developed embedded within strategy/policy –
subsequently informing learning design across sector
• Informed other sector-wide projects e.g. PASS project
http://www.pass.brad.ac.uk/
• Informed research in other aspects of e-learning,
assessment & digital literacy
– Jisc „Effective Assessment in a Digital Age‟
– Jisc interACT Project

12. Future Directions and Challenges
• Report of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland
(Von Prondzynski, 2012):
– collaborative approach a „fundamental principle‟ of Scottish system and
– “…interest of Scottish universities...is collectively best served by
creating collaborative partnership arrangements with other higher
education institutions, and this should override any perceived
competitive advantage for an individual institution.“
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/02/3646
• Increasing scrutiny of publically
funded provision particularly
duplication
• Content versus experience –
added value (Welsh initiatives)

13. Learning Conversations
Channels and topics facilitating technological
and pedagogical agility and innovation:
– ALT Scotland SIG – established in 2012 and led
by Linda Creanor
– Open Scotland – summit to stimulate strategic
thinking on open education facilitated by Jisc
Cetis
– Jisc RSC Scotland Joint Events
– Moocs – expansion into niche areas and new
entrants into the space

14. Pedagogies of Uncertainty
“One persistent error teachers make is to get a bright idea for
a different way of teaching and then to spring it on students
without preparation. Suddenly, a teacher unleashes a
combination of group collaborative learning with portfolios
and technology and expects students to respond positively to
this new game. The students don't even know how to begin.”
“some things continue just because nothing deflects them in
another direction--pedagogical inertia”
“Part of what we have to learn we must learn from one
another within the universities and colleges”
Shulman, L. (2005)
http://www.aacu.org/liberaleducation/le-sp05/le-sp05feature2.cfm

15. Contact Details
Dr David Walker
Library & Learning Centre
University of Dundee
d.j.walker@dundee.ac.uk
Twitter: @drdjwalker