UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
[Updated November 2011]
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR eLEARNING
1.0
Introduction
This Code of Practice provides an overview of the practice, policy and procedure relating to
eLearning within the University of Ulster. The term ‘eLearning’ refers to learning conducted via
electronic media, especially via the Internet and typically involving some form of interactivity to
support teaching, learning and assessment.
This Code of Practice for eLearning outlines the expectations regarding good practice, policy and
procedures and is a support to:
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1.1
The Corporate Plan (2011/12 - 2015/16) which includes as its vision ‘Leading in the
provision of Professional Education for Professional Life’ and has a Corporate Goal of
‘Excellent, Accessible Teaching and Learning’. This includes the objective ‘To develop
flexible and accessible programmes and learning provision in anticipation of students’
changing needs and study patterns.’;
The University of Ulster Teaching and Learning Strategy which has a key aim
‘to enhance the quality of physical and social learning environments for students and staff’
with supporting objectives ‘to increase the use of VLEs and mobile learning technologies’;
‘to progressively embed technology into teaching’ and to ‘support and identify opportunities
for greater flexibility in accommodating technologies preferred by learners’;
The implementation of the QAA Code of Practice for the assurance of academic quality
and standards in higher education, Section 2: Collaborative provision and flexible and
distributed learning (including e-learning).
General
This Code of Practice should be applied in combination with the range of policies and guides
developed by the University and included, for example, within the:
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Programme Approval, Management and Review Handbook;
External Examiner Handbook;
Partnership Handbook;
Assessment Handbook;
eLearning Charter.
The means by which Faculties, Schools and Departments ensure compliance with this Code of
Practice will vary depending on the nature and extent of their eLearning provision and
development.
2.0
Definitions
Fully online
There is no face-to-face on-campus component to these programmes. All content, activities and
interactions are integrated and delivered online. The assumption is made that the student may
never attend a campus throughout the duration of the programme/module.
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Blended learning
Although online participation is required for these programmes, face-to-face interactions remain. In
this instance, online participation may include some or all of the following:
 accessing key course documents;
 using online course material which contains major educational content;
 interaction and communication (synchronous and asynchronous) between staff and
students or among students;
 online assessments (formative or summative).
3.0
Responsibilities
3.1
Access and Distributed Learning (ADL)
Access and Distributed Learning (ADL) is responsible for the oversight of the University's
eLearning programmes using the institutional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), currently
Blackboard Learn. ADL also administers and provides campus wide support for the usage of the
institutional VLE and associated tools to enhance all modules offered within the University.
Dedicated support for course creation, design and development is available for fully online courses
where ADL works in partnership with Faculties. This support for fully online provision is provided
subject to an approved eLearning resource agreement. Strategic support is also available for
using the VLE and associated tools for blended learning, subject to the availability of resources.
ADL works with Faculties to create learning environments that motivate students and provide
teaching staff with adequate development and training to facilitate and moderate learning activities
that achieve the desired learning outcomes.
3.2
Faculties
Where a course has a significant eLearning component, the course team should contact Access
and Distributed Learning at the outset to ensure that the appropriate eLearning support can be
scheduled into the course planning process. Upon agreement, ADL will allocate an Academic
eLearning Consultant to work with the course planning team, providing training and development
as required.
Course teams embarking on development of a fully online programme will agree a project plan with
ADL and must comply with University of Ulster copyright guidance regarding permission for use of
materials within the VLE.
Faculties should ensure that students are aware of the expectations of them with respect to online
learning and the nature and extent of supported, independent and collaborative learning activities.
Students should receive full, clear and current information on the University and the support
available to them. They should be given access to a full induction that includes appropriate course
information and an induction into the online learning environment.
4.0
Information, Support and Guidance
ADL offers support, resources and services in a number of areas as follows:
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Advice for course teams on planning and managing the development of fully online courses;
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Staff training and development. Staff delivering on fully online programmes for the first time will
be required to undertake a 3 week online e-tutor course (offered by ADL) prior to
commencement of delivery;
Online induction, orientation to Blackboard Learn and study skills information for all students;
Course support areas (to host standard documentation and central support resources,
academic, technical and pastoral advice/support and information on Library use).
General resources and support are available via the Blackboard Learn Helpdesk and on the
support wiki provided by ADL.
4.1
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Other University of Ulster Support Resources
Staff Development offer an Academic Induction Programme and a Post Graduate Certificate in
Higher Education Practice which cover the practical and pedagogic aspects of e-pedagogy and
VLE use. Bespoke workshops can be arranged in response to specific requests.
ICT Customer Services and the Staff Development Unit in collaboration with ADL host a series
of Teaching and Learning Technology Seminars to raise awareness of a range of new
technologies and tools.
5.0
Monitoring and Evaluation
eLearning programmes are subject to the same standards and quality assurance procedures as all
other taught courses. Furthermore, ADL work closely with Faculties to ensure that Ulster eLearning
courses take into account and meet the standards listed in the QAA Code of practice for the
assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education with respect to flexible and
distributed learning.
6.0
Course delivery
HERA evaluated job descriptions and personnel specifications (available from Human Resources)
have been developed for three roles to support eLearning provision at Ulster:
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e-Academic - responsible for module, curriculum and assessment design as well as providing
academic/administrative support to students engaged on eLearning programmes. (Grade 7)
e-Tutor - responsible for providing academic/administrative support to students engaged on
eLearning programmes. (Grade 6)
e-Mentor - responsible for providing academic guidance, student, technical and administrative
support to students engaged on eLearning programmes. (Grade 4)
7.0
Virtual Learning Environment
The institutional VLE provides a core range of communication, content and assessment tools.
Other tools are fully integrated within the VLE allowing seamless access for staff and students, to
include Library integration, plagiarism detection, voice tools etc. ADL have provided a range of
good practice guidelines in respect of:
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Socialisation and Cohort Building;
Library Services: Guide for Online Course Teams;
Library Resources for Distance Learners;
External Examiners;
Staff Student Consultation Procedures.
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Useful Links and References
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University of Ulster Corporate Plan http://www.ulster.ac.uk/corporateplan/
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University of Ulster Teaching and Learning Strategy http://www.ulster.ac.uk/tls/tls200813.pdf
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QAA Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher
education. Section 2: Collaborative provision and flexible and distributed learning (including
e-learning):
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/collab2010.pdf
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Assessment Handbook
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Handbooks/Assessment%20Handbook.p
df
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The Programme Approval, Management and Review Handbook
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Handbooks/PAMR.pdf
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External Examiner Handbook
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Handbooks/EEHandbook.pdf
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Partnership Handbook
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Handbooks/Partnership%20Handbook.pdf
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Access & Distributed Learning Website:
http://adl.ulster.ac.uk/
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eLearning Resource Agreement:
http://adl.ulster.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/elearning_resource_agreement.pdf
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Blackboard Learn Support Wiki:
http://wiki.ulster.ac.uk/display/VLESUPPORT/
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eLearning Charter
http://www.ulster.ac.uk/elearning/public/pdf/elearning_charter1011.pdf
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