Flexible Delivery Workshop
Models of collaboration:
UHI Millennium Institute
David Green.
Principal, Lews Castle College
Vice Chair, UHI Executive Board
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Pressures to extend HE into
remote & rural areas
 political – (mass HE, equity & the
concept of entitlement);
 economic - (perceived benefits for
local economies);
 social - (retention of population);
 cultural - (promotion or preservation
of local history, cultures and
languages)
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Issues to be addressed
 efficiency - (scattered population, small
teaching groups);
 quality in L&T & R - (multiple locations,
small partner institutions, H.E. new to
many staff);
 access - (distances, remote locations,
poor transport & communications);
 participation - (no tradition of local HE,
excluded groups)
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
UHI approach to these issues
 use of ICT to support learning &
administration over large distances;
 local colleges & learning centres for easier
access and local support;
 colleges recruit non-traditional learners
and bring them into HE;
 links with other universities & institutes to
develop research
 strong staff development and QA policies
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Europe’s last wilderness…
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
0
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Netherlands
Germany
Italy
Denmark
Austria
Greece
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Highlands & Islands
Scotland
United Kingdom
Persons per sq km
Population Density
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
Features of the Highlands &
Islands region
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huge area with low population
low incomes – c75% of EU average
peripheral region – 90+ inhabited islands
population loss from remoter areas
dominance of small/medium enterprises
some population growth (20% since
1960s),
 economic diversification & localised
growth
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Creating a University for
the Highlands and Islands
 began as a collaborative project 1992
 sponsored by regional government &
development agency
 aims:
- bring HE to a remote area
- regional economic development
- social & cultural development
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
UHI Partnership
 14 academic partners
– community colleges
– specialist colleges
– research institutions
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>50 learning centres
area >40,000 km²
>90 inhabited islands
students & campuses
linked by ICT
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Progress
 approved by the Scottish Parliament as
a Higher Education Institution in 2001
 granted university-level funding 2004
 target for full University title –2007?
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Unique Features
 employs no academic staff per se
 owns no buildings or equipment except
the Executive Office
 a Partnership/ Joint Venture
 contractual supply agreements
 built on existing institutions
 federal and collegiate in structure
 close links to local communities
 innovative networked learning model
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
UHI Students
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mainly local
full-time 48%, part-time 52%
mature (25 years and over) c60%
male 46%, female 54%
more with non-standard entry
qualifications
 more from lower socio-economic
groups
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
The UHI learning
experience
 traditional face-to-face lectures,
tutorials and seminars
 flexible/supported/distributed
learning:
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video and audio conferencing
paper-based materials
web-based materials
e-communications, including net meeting
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
ICT Connectivity
 broadband connections
between major centres
 linked into UK academic
network
 provides:
- email, internet,VC,
telephony
& student data systems
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Academic provision
3 main elements:
 a broadly-based curriculum widely
available throughout the network
 specialist courses and centres
 short courses tailored to CPD needs
of local employers/professionals
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
UHI research
 environmental sciences – international
standing
 developing capabilities in other areas:
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aquaculture and mariculture
rural development
language, culture and migration
archaeology and heritage
bio-medical and health care
renewable energy
nuclear de-commissioning
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Lessons learned (1) :
collaboration issues
 clarity:
- of aims, plans, resources, agreements, targets,
responsibilities;
 communication:
- of information (as above);
- with sponsors, staff, students, communities;
 consultation:
- with stakeholders on issues that affect them
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Lessons learned (2):
teaching & research
 curriculum development:
- check the need
- prioritise the activity
- control the budget
 research:
- identify strengths & opportunities
- prioritise areas to focus on
- research for some, scholarship for all?
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Lessons learned (3):
organisation
 design simple, effective structures &
processes for development;
 modify these to match changing
circumstances;
 minimise the risk from individuals &
institutions – publish agreements &
maximise information flow
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Continuing challenges
 organisational:
- maintaining the partnership;
- managing tensions
 financial:
- cost of delivery across large areas
- small teaching groups
- maintaining infrastructure
 academic:
- gaining credibility for an unconventional
institution
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Case Study:
Rural Development Studies
• RDS was first UHI networked degree,
validated by University of Aberdeen (1994)
• Not closely identified with ICT
• Modular structure
• Inter-disciplinary studies
• Variety of learning methods
• Variety of assessment instruments
• Close links with other degrees
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
How RDS courses are taught
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Face to face
Paper based
Telephone tuition
Email support
Video-conference link
Web-based resources
Net meeting
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Experiences with technology
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Technical problems:
– Breakdown
– Complexity
– Cost
People problems:
-inexperience
-Fear
-Personal touch
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Advantages of mixed format
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Distance and time flexibility
Consistency of learning resources
Subject and student sensitive
Resource used in appropriate context
Allows rapid updating
Provides students with extra skills
Gives students more power
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Lessons for ‘remote’ delivery
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Needs to be responsive
Needs to be interactive
Needs to be reliable
Needs a stable platform
Needs to be consistent
Needs to be networked
Needs to be supported by training
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Case Study conclusions
• A mixed format delivery is best
• Optimum mix varies with
module/course/academic level and
individual
• Local learning centres help stability
• Needs careful management (ac+tech)
• Needs staff development (ac+tech)
• High or low tech – must be professional
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands