JISC

Start date: 1 April 2004

End date: 31 July 2004

Funding programme: e-Learning Pedagogy programme

JISC theme(s): e-Learning, e-Administration

Final case studies

Newcastle United Football Club Learning Centre
Fermanagh College
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
North Trafford College
University of Central England
Perth College
The Working Men's College
Abingdon and Witney College
Kemnal Technology College

Background/Context

The case study project arises from, and forms part of, the e-learning and Pedagogy programme which aims to ensure that e-learning as practised in the UK across the post-16 and HE sectors will be pedagogically sound, learner focused and accessible. 

The case study project in innovative practice in e-learning will run in conjunction with a sister video case study project and is linked to other larger projects, which include the e-learning models desk study. A main driver behind the study is to deliver early outputs towards implementing the main aims of the e-pedagogy programme which is to provide post-16, FE and HE practitioner communities with accurate, up-to-date, evidence and research based information about effective practice in the use of e-learning in all of its different guises. 

While small in relation to some other projects in the programme it will have an important role in trialling templates for use in some larger projects, and submitting such templates and other outputs to a wider base for feedback and change.

Aims and Objectives

The case studies will build on and complement the work of the e-Learning Models Desk Study. Case studies illustrating examples of ‘innovative’ practice in relation to e-learning in the post-16 and HE community will be produced. The case studies will take the form of a written report with some supporting illustrative video clips showing actual practice, discussions with practitioners and learners. A publication drawing together the outcomes of this work will be launched in September to coincide with ALT-C. The specific objectives are to:

• Raised awareness of relevant practitioners and communities of a range of successful approaches to delivering e-learning in a range of ways and formats, using a range of tools.
• Motivation of practitioners to instil a belief that effective learning can be facilitated through small scale development of e-learning

Project Methodology

This work will cover examples of how practitioners are using a range of e-learning tools including Virtual Learning Environments and learning design tools, in blended and virtual contexts. This will be achieved through a number of related activities:

• Visits to the participating sites to interview key stakeholders (including learners)
• Use of structured questionnaires to establish core principles and link project design and learner needs
• Analysis and evaluation of the situation against established educational frameworks and models
• Extraction of key practical lessons and presentation as transferable recommendations where appropriate

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

• 10 case studies representative of effective, innovative and varied e-learning practice in the post-16 and HE sectors.
• An agreed schedule of research visits to the selected case study sites to research and record relevant information to inform the case studies.
• Ten completed pro-formas describing the pedagogical approaches, contexts and outcomes of the selected instances of e-learning.
• Ten summary reports for dissemination to the JISC community through the programme website and a print publication.
• Final report of the project with recommendations for further development of the study tools and for additional studies and evaluation projects. Download Final report here. Download Appendix A and Appendix B here.