This document introduces ELESIG, a special interest group that aims to identify and exploit synergies between learner experience projects and build capacity for learner experience research. Launched in 2008, ELESIG now has over 1700 members organized into 6 local groups. The group allows members to communicate, disseminate research, gain feedback, and network with other researchers. ELESIG also offers small grants up to £750 to support projects that build shared knowledge about learner experience research.

1. Welcome to ELESIG
Rhona Sharpe
elesig.net

2. Evaluation of Learners' Experiences of e-learning
Aims:
Special Interest Group
Identify and exploit the synergies between
existing learner experience projects.
Build capacity for undertaking learner
experience research.

3. Launched in 2008
1700 members
6 local groups
ELESIG Facts

4. ELESIG members:
• Communicate/stay in touch with the field
of learners’ experiences of e-learning
• Disseminate in an informal, friendly setting
• Find out about advances in methodology
• Gain feedback on our own research
projects from colleagues
• Network with other researchers

6. Call for small grants
The grants scheme exists to
• help us build a shared repertoire of resources
which will be of benefit to the community and
the sector and which build on shared knowledge
and practice about learner experience research
Grants of up to £750
Bid by the 20th of any month.

7. Example small grants
A Toolkit to Understand and Investigate Minimum
Standards in the VL, Peter Reed, University of Liverpool
Experience of International Students in Negotiating
Technology for Learning: An Annotated Bibliography
Tharindu R. Liyanagunawardena, University of Reading
Learners experiences of synchronous online activities:
project report and web conferencing guidelines
Carole Gordon and Sarah Cornelius, University of
Aberdeen

8. What can you do?
Tweet #elesig
Chat on Facebook group
Blog at elesig.net
Bid for a small grant
Host an event
Offer a webinar
Form an interest group
Form a local group

9. What do the Organising Committee do?
• Find contributory sponsorship to support
ELESIG activities
• Administer Ning
• Administer the small grants scheme
• Organise events and activities
• Support new local groups
brookes.ac.uk/ocsld