Revised approach to HEFCE’s strategy for e-learning

I have at last had time over Easter to read the  revised approach to HEFCE’s strategy for e-learning “Enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology“, published in March.

I found it very useful, in giving an overview of the context and key recent developments, together with a framework for institutions to use when considering their own strategic priorities.

As well as stressing the continued role of partners such as JISC and the HEA, the document highlights the importance of institutions developing their own strategic approaches to enhancing learning, teaching and assessment through use of technology. It highlights 3 key areas of potential benefits: efficiency, enhancement and transformation.

It describes the “unique role” of Higher Education in “providing learners with the higher-order skills of evaluation, critical analysis and reflection, synthesis, problem-solving, creativity and thinking across discipline boundaries.”  However it recognises that in order for staff to be able to exploit technologies effectively to help develop these critical and analytical skills in their learners, they need support.

The support of senior management is also key. The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and JISC’s strategic technology initiative  aims to help raise awareness amongst HE leaders of the potential of educational technology and how it can be integrated in institutional strategy.

A suggested framework is provided at the end of the document. The purpose of the framework is to “assist institutions in maximising the strategic benefits of technology”. It is designed to be used flexibly so that institutions can adapt it to suit their own needs. It provides suggested strategic priorities in 7 areas (2 of which have changed since the 2005 Strategy document):

• pedagogy, curriculum design and development
• learning resources and environments (was “Learning resources and networked learning”)
• lifelong learning processes and practices (was “Student support, progression and collaboration”)
• strategic management, human resources and capacity development
• quality
• research and evaluation
• infrastructure and technical standards.

For each area examples are provided of how technology might be used for strategic gain. These need to be fleshed out into realistic goals for each institution, but provide a useful outline.