JISC

Start date: 1 August 2000

End date: 31 May 2002

Funding programme: Building MLEs in Higher Education

Project website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/rcc/projects/tircs/

This project is part of the IMS project cluster in this particular programme. Projects in this cluster will test and explore the implementation of the IMS one of the emerging learning technology specifications to support the transfer of data and learning objects between different VLE.

Context

The project is based upon real courses delivered to real students using real IMS-compliant tools. The main aim of the work is to investigate how different people, including students, facilitators and course designers, make use of IMS-compliant tools to produce, deliver and engage in online learning. Best practice guidelines will be distilled from the investigative work and disseminated across the FE and HE community via reports, case studies, best practice guidelines, "how to" documents and workshops.

Aims and Objectives

The key aims of the project are to test empirically IMS-compliant learning tools in real contexts. A number of elements will be considered within the framework of the project, including:

• Implications of IMS for course designers, facilitators and learners
• Pedagogical constraints of IMS-compliant tools

The specific objectives are:

• To produce best practice guidelines for use by the FE and HE community use
• To enrich users' understanding of IMS-compliant online learning tools
• To publish project findings through recognised academic routes

Project Design

To date, most guidelines for the development and delivery of online courses are based on anecdote and experience. While this has served reasonably well, it is now possible to test much of this perceived wisdom experimentally.

Qualitative data-gathering techniques such as interviews and focus groups are being used alongside questionnaires to assess developer, facilitator and user perceptions of IMS-compliant courses and tools. Content analysis techniques are being applied to the qualitative data generated, with quantitative elements being processed statistically.

Deliverables

The findings of this project will be circulated through a number of channels, including the UK IMS Project's Web site, conference papers and workshops and journal publications. Best practice guidelines are being distilled from the investigative work and disseminated across the FE and HE community via reports, case studies, best practice notes, "how to" documents and workshops. A summary of outcomes and recommendations will be published, highlighting dissemination events and resources, many of which will be available online. The TIRCs team will also offer face-to-face Staff Development workshops for academic and academic-related staff in any UK college or university willing to cover expenses and modest staff costs.The project will help to highlight the key areas for consideration when implementing online learning through the use of IMS-compliant tools by producing:

• Best practice guidelines
• A printed summary of outcomes and recommendations
• Staff Development opportunities where demand exists