Support for Institutions

In Autumn 2005, the Steering Committee initiated a detailed survey of the institutional perspective on flexible delivery in Scottish HE, the outcomes of which formed the basis of a report published early in 2005. The aim of the survey was to help set the parameters for flexible delivery in the sector by exploring the institutional strategic context, the key drivers and issues for institutions implementing flexible provision, and to outline current and future developments in flexible delivery across the sector.

A series of workshops addressing the key institutional development priorities for flexible delivery took place in Spring 2005, drawing on international and UK expertise, as well as innovative practice within the Scottish HE sector itself. A typology for flexible delivery was then developed as a practical means of organising the wide-ranging outcomes from the workshop series, and to ensure that the breadth of the theme was reflected in the scope of its development projects.

In this project, the typology has been further developed as a framework to classify existing resources and development initiatives to assist institutions in the use of e-learning to support flexible delivery. Materials and resources from previous and ongoing development initiatives have been identified and drawn from a number of sources in support of the key elements.

These materials and resources have been drawn from a number of sources. The JISC e-Learning Programme provides resources in support of an improved technical framework, the development of tools for e-learning, regional and subject-based collaboration, pedagogical approaches, and experimentation with new technologies. Other key sources of tools and support are the JISC Management Learning Environments for Lifelong Learning Programme, and the eXchange for Learning Programme. Resources are also drawn from initiatives in other strands of the QAA Quality Enhancement work, the Scottish Funding Council e-Learning Transformation programme, and the work of the Higher Education Academy and its network of Subject Centres.