The work of the SCONUL e-Learning Taskforce

1. e-Learning and Libraries in the UK – Where are we now? Where are going? The work of the SCONUL e-Learning Taskforce CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

2. The evolution of learning and teaching – and libraries’ role to influence and develop this – must be at the heart of our professional strategic focus CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

3. The SCONUL e-Learning Taskforce • Aim to identify and assess e-Learning issues for SCONUL, focusing on the learner and learning rather than technologies • A sharing of perspectives • An iterative and creative process • Linked to SCONUL strategic context and repositioning • Why a separate position and strategy? CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

4. The SCONUL e-Learning Taskforce • Develop a vision and position statement • Develop key strategic objectives • Assess how e-Learning is currently addressed by existing SCONUL activity (and how this can be built upon) • Explore strategic partnerships CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

5. E-learning is learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communication technologies (LTSN Generic Centre) Concept of Blended learning or Supported Online Learning – a spectrum along which different models can be placed Process focused not tool and technology focused E-learning should seek to enrich the learning experience CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

6. E-Learning Developments • Political context • DfES Towards a Unified E-Learning Strategy • HEFCE Strategy for e-learning • Demise of the UKeU • HEFCE capital funds for e-learning (2005-6) • Role of the JISC and HE Academy • Rising profile of learning teaching generally • HE Academy - E-learning research • Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2005-2010) CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

7. E-Learning Developments • Blended learning concept adopted/ focus on e-pedagogy • VLE adoption and use (UCISA survey) • “…overall picture is one of evolutionary consolidation. Centralisation is increasing..” • Establishment of E-Learning Development Units and teams • New role of the Learning Technologist • E-learning as a force of change (LTSN e-Learning Guides, 2003) • “…will require change at all levels…and for all categories of staff.” CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

8. E-Learning Developments “..dozens of innovative learning technologies to cloud the online learning landscape”(Bonk, 2004) Assistive technologies Course Management Systems/ VLEs Conferencing/ Discussion forums (synchronous and asynchronous) Digital libraries Mobile technologies – beyond the classroom Videostreaming Making the connections between emerging technologies and enhanced pedagogies CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

9. E-Learning Developments and Libraries • Diverse roles, wide variation: • Resource discovery and embedding (digital library) • Design of materials (learning objects) • E-support and e-tutoring (pedagogy) • Management and Strategy See SCONUL Information Support for e-Learning: principles and practice (2004) • “Exploiting new technologies to reinforce their existing position” OR • Developing new roles, partnerships and repositioning OR • Libraries can and will be bypassed in e-Learning developments CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

10. A vision for libraries and e-Learning • (SCONUL/Libraries) will enrich the learning experience through the development and embedding of e-Learning • Principles: • E-Learning in its widest sense • Integration • Innovation – the art of the possible • Partnership • Learner-focused • Underpinned by research and scholarship CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

11. Exploring the issues CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

12. Exploring the issues CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

13. Lessons learnt • Blended not E-learning but political dimension • Integrate and embed as much as possible • Refocus SCONUL strategy – eg. From Buildings Learning Spaces From Information Learner support and literacy skills • Partnership and multi-professional approaches • SCONUL November conference – E-learning strategy through partnerships: the art of the possible CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

14. Future actions and possibilities – Where are we going? • A very political agenda – locally and nationally • It’s really just about learning • Towards the ‘e’ team • Impact on professional identities and practices • Newly established SCONUL Working Group on e-Learning to take forward this agenda and provide a focus • Trident Group partnership – ALT/UCISA/SCONUL CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005

15. Additional Resources • Beetham et al (2001) Career development of learning technology staff: a scoping study http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=project_career • Bonk, C. (2004) The Perfect E-Storm http://www.obhe.ac.uk/products/reports • Currier (2002) INSPIRAL: INveStigating Portals for Information Resources And Learning final report http://inspiral.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/ • Generic LTSN E-learning series (2003) http://www.ltsn.ac.uk/genericcentre/index.asp?id=17117 • HEFCE strategy for e-learning (2005) http://www.hefce.ac.uk • SCONUL e-Learning Taskforce Final Report (2005) http://www.sconul.ac.uk CAUL, Brisbane, September 2005