SLMS E-learning Strategy 2014-2016
SLMS Strategy for e-learning 2014-2016
Background
This strategy draws on three key documents: UCL Council White Paper 2011-21, Institutional
Learning and Teaching Strategy 2010-15 and UCL e-learning strategy 2012-2015.
Context and rationale for change
SLMS aims to produce highly employable graduates who are prepared for leadership roles in
the new digital era. The UCL Council White Paper and the Institutional Learning and
Teaching Strategy commit to education for global citizenship and add two new, ambitious
commitments to raise the profile of teaching and to invest in teaching innovation. This
should ultimately establish UCL as the hub of an international network of research-led
institutions that foster excellence in teaching and learning.
The global e-learning environment presents both opportunities and challenges to UCL’s
educators, to enhance traditional teaching and support distance learning. Approaches to
developing and enhancing digital literacies and technical skills are variable across UCL; the
Personal and Professional Development (PPD – formerly ‘key skills’) initiative proves a solid
basis but there is scope to enhance this further.
The development of e-learning provision across SLMS
All SLMS modules now make use of Moodle and there is increasing use of Lecturecast and
Turnitin. However, the use of Moodle is mainly static (‘baseline’ use) as a means to store
lecture notes, references and other resources. SLMS needs to have all modules support
exploratory and participatory learning (‘enhanced’ used) by December 2014. Additionally
Lecturecast and Turnitin can be used in a more interactive way.
If SLMS is to establish itself as a hub of excellence and innovation in teaching and learning,
there needs to be a radical change in the use of technology to enhance mainstream learning,
and a stronger focus on agility, innovation, integration and evaluation. UCL’s e-learning
strategy outlines how technology can support these commitments and how it can ensure
and sustain a distinctive, high quality ‘UCL learning experience’.
Mission
To develop and support a digitally-rich teaching and learning environment, to extend and
enhance the effectiveness and reputation of the SLMS teaching and learning community.
Strategic aims
1. Quality enhancement: To move from baseline to enhanced use of e-learning in all
disciplines.
2. E-learning champions: To ensure they play a pivotal role in co-ordinating
departmental and divisional e-learning plans to be presented to faculty executive
committee.
3. Digital literacies: Provide and promote opportunities for staff and students to
develop the skills and digital literacies needed to thrive in new and emerging work
and learning environments.
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SLMS E-learning Strategy 2014-2016
4. Opening education: Encourage and pilot approaches to the opening and sharing of
SLMS’s online educational resources; to promote interdisciplinary learning and share
good practice; to facilitate engagement with external communities.
5. Technical environment: Ensure core systems and services are better integrated and
designed to provide a more supportive, intuitive and collaborative learning
environment.
6. Learning spaces: Improve the quantity and quality of technology-enabled learning
spaces, and promote, integrate, and evaluate the use of technology within and to
extend the physical classroom.
7. Distance learning: Develop e-learning guidance and support for departments and
introduce more public-facing e-learning courses to showcase the best of academic
endeavour that resides in SLMS; to provide a ‘shop window’ for taught programmes;
to support short courses and continuing professional development (CPD).
Implementation plan
By September 2014, Faculty Tutors and E-learning Champions should liaise with
departments, divisions and institutes to write a brief statement on their current utilisation of
e-learning, and identify areas (drawing on the list above) in which they wish to develop. This
should be supported by a well-argued business plan to be submitted to faculty managers.
By December 2015, Departmental e-learning champions will work with staff from E-Learning
Environments (ELE), the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) and
faculty managers to implement these statements and business plans.
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SLMS E-learning Strategy 2014-2016
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