Best Practice Criteria for Sustainable E-Learning
1st November 2011 Open University, Milton KeynesEVENT REVIEW:
This workshop at the Open University took place in a time of financial challenges, market opportunities and technical innovation, all of which are driving greater use of e-learning. Some see cost-cutting as the primary driver, and fear that it will diminish the quality of the educational experience through reduced face-to-face contact. Others argue that e-learning creates new learning possibilities, and can strengthen educational quality.
Given these controversies, how do both educators and learners decide which blend or variety of e-learning is most effective for them? Can we develop criteria for ‘best practice’ e-learning which recognise the validity of different approaches as opposed to current threshold standards? These criteria could have many uses: directing attention to key issues during course design; helping providers (especially those new to the market) to reassure students that they can enjoy a quality educational experience; and helping learners to choose between providers.
These questions were addressed in this exploratory workshop, which blended face-to-face and virtual elements.
The presentations from the event can be downloaded below.
Summaries and sliides can also be viewed on Storify at http://storify.com/eventamplifier/best-practice-criteria-for-sustainable-e-learning
The recordings of the streamed sessions are available at:
http://stadium.open.ac.uk/stadia/preview.php?whichevent=1768&s=31
You need to install QuickTime 7 or later to view this presentation.
Videos of reflections on issues raised at the workshop are also available on youtube:
Amanda Jeffries (Reader in Technology Enhanced Learning at Uni Hertfordshire) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGfDnuGudus
Andy Lane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KURu69Fod4
Doug Clow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clAol0CcvuQ
Peter James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eoAfoi96y0
Presentations
JISC and Best Practice E-Learning
Rob Bristow, Green IT Programme Manager
Economic Best Practice Criteria
Andrew Lane, Professor of Environmental Systems, Open University and Director, SusTeach
Pedagogic Best Practice Criteria
Dr. Doug Clow, Lecturer in Interactive Media Development, Open University
Environmental Best Practice Criteria
Peter James, Professor of Environmental Management, University of Bradford and Director, Virtually Sustainable
E-learning Initiatives at the Open University
Andrew Lane, as above
Information Files:
Rob Bristow - JISC and Best Practice E-Learning
Andrew Lane - Economic Best Practice Criteria
Doug Clow - Pedagogic Best Practice Criteria
Peter James - Environmental Best Practice Criteria
Andrew Lane - OU E-Learning Initiatives