JISC

Start date: 1 May 2005

End date: 1 May 2007

Funding programme: SFC e-Learning Transformation programme

Project website: http://www.cellsproject.org

JISC theme(s): e-Learning

Read the transformation story which highlight keys issues, lessons learned and outputs

The SFEFC/SHEFC joint e-learning report, published in July 2003, clearly described the potential for e-learning methods and technology to enable a shift to more student centred learning methods. Such methods provide a fundamental re-engineering of the educational process that provides more flexible delivery of knowledge, thereby increasing student motivation and attainment, whilst making much more effective use of staff resources.

This 're-engineering' is based on recognising the importance and distinctiveness of content, context and community within the educational process. Whilst content is important, and therefore should be developed in a cost-effective, sharable and sustainable way, it is the contextualisation of knowledge to the needs of the learner that is crucial to effective education, and is, therefore, the key to quality enhancement.  Essentially, knowledge, in the form of interactive e-learning materials enables the educational process to become more personalised and student centred whilst releasing staff time to focus human expertise on student needs.  This requires that staff are engaged and committed to this process and that the reliability and sustainability of content is assured.

Aims and Objectives

This strategic transformation project will:

• establish a major project in transformation to student based learning within the Life Sciences
• design and develop a set of coherent and rational curricula for degree and Higher National programmes in Life Sciences
• develop interactive e-learning materials for the core part of the curricula
• develop a set of interactive case-studies, assignments and formative assessments to contextualise the core materials to the degree and HN streams
• establish a sustainable learning community for the Life Sciences within Higher Education in Scotland

The project is undertaken by a balanced consortium representing national strengths in research, education and training across the sectors and spectrum of modern life sciences. External agencies are being used to ensure professional services, compliance with national agendas and sustainability of the results.

Project Methodology

This project will utilise the extensive experience of the various partners to identify a ‘core’ curriculum to cover undergraduate and HN education in the Life Sciences that will be shared and used at the appropriate level by each partner. This is envisaged as a set of core “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences” modules for the first two stages, levels 7 and 8 of the SCQF which will support  a range of degree specialisms at levels 9 and 10.  The core knowledge will be implemented as the content within the ‘resource-based’ interactive e-learning materials whereas the contextual knowledge would be realised as a set of ‘constructivist’ case studies, assignments, formative assessments and summative assessment where appropriate. Some of these case studies would be computer based whilst others would be based on face-to-face tutorials with supporting materials.

Deliverables

Student: The use of high quality interactive e-learning materials will allow the learner to progress at his/her own pace, concentrating on particular difficulties whilst accelerating through easier parts.  It also means that the student can work at times that are more conducive to learning, recognising the constraints on current students. 
Staff: Reduction in the burden of preparing and updating programme materials and in setting and marking formative assessments.
Organisation: Better use of staff resource; less reliance on specific staff; increased student progression rates; availability of high quality common learning materials; ready provision of part-time or CPD programmes; more explicit articulation between sectors and other disciplines. The exploitation of the programmes through international in-country delivery.