1. Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in e-Learning Conference 2 July 2010 Fielder Centre, University of Hertfordshire Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in E-learning Special Interest Group (QE-SIG)

2. Background HEA/JISC Pathfinder programme ▫ Various projects focusing on quality and enhancement Quality Enhancement agenda From Pedagogic Research to Embedded E-learning (PREEL), Institute of Education, London

3. From Pedagogic Research to Embedded E-learning PREEL THE STORY Institutional support Benchmarking exercise sent strong signals to senior management Funding helped to open doors Links with a wide range of initiatives - TDA, TQEF, JISC, HEA, CETL – added to the visibility of the project Research Relationship with practice is many faceted Research focus raised project profile Research focus fed into institutional agendas Presenting research evidence to tutors Tools of more interest than the results Course redesign Two different constituencies Serialist versus holist approaches Redesigns often alongside other institutional changes Problems encountered rarely technological Quality assurance Need for different quality assurance methods Effectiveness affected by organisational context and online features of the courses Need for a different organisational perspective KEY MESSAGES Background The Institute of Education Benchmarking From Pedagogic Research to Embedded E-learning Linking research and practice Relationship between research and practice Research review and staff development Course re-design Externalisation of pedagogic design Communication, activities and structures Supporting the re-design process Individualised support Explicit project focus and networking

4. Pathfinder Network Project

5. Project team Institute of Education University of London Dr Harvey Mellar Dr Magdalena Jara University of Reading Maria-Christiana Papaefthimiou University of Derby Dr Dave O'Hare University of London External System Brian Sayer University of Teesside Dr Eileen Webb Quality Assurance Agency Dr David Cairns

6. Effective application of quality assurance procedures to e-learning courses - PREEL 2 The CHALLENGE - differences between e-learning and campus- based learning that impact on QA/QE Disaggregation of course elements Teams include a range of roles, often in different places Greater openness of processes to review Limited access by staff to students PROJECT COLLABORATION Institute of Education, University of London University of Reading University of Derby University of Teesside University of London External System Quality Assurance Agency Development of RESOURCES Case studies Course evaluation resources Analysis of QAA Audits Review of research Database of QA/QE procedures for e-learning courses AIMS of institutional workshops Identify the challenges in addressing QA/QE for e- learning Review internal quality assurance procedures Review contribution of research and good practice Identify ways forward Project blog - http://www.lkl.ac.uk/research/qa-elearning Development of QA-QE SIG Mission: ” This practitioner-led SIG aims to invigorate QA-QE and make it relevant to everyday practice in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment through technology.” http://www.qe-sig.net

7. Launch May 08 ALT-C 2008

8. Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in E-learning Special Interest Group The SIG is a group of practitioners, both academic and professional support staff, interested in using technology to enhance the quality of learning, teaching and assessment. This practitioner-led SIG aims to invigorate QA-QE and make it relevant to everyday practice in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment through technology.

9. QAQE SIG Mission To aggregate, share and synthesise current and emerging knowledge and practice in quality enhancement related to the use of technology to enhance learning To build synergies between Higher Education Institutions and with other external sector agencies To influence local and national policy

10. QAQE in e-Learning Special Interest Group: Steering Group Members Eileen Webb, (Chair) Teesside University Maria-Christiana Papaefthimiou, (Deputy Chair) University of Reading Helen Barefoot, University of Hertfordshire Mark Gamble, University of Bedfordshire Judith Kuit, University of Sunderland Harvey Mellar, Institute of Education, University of London Barbara Newland, Glasgow Caledonian University David O’Hare, University of Derby Martin Oliver, Institute of Education, University of London Previous members: Brian Sayer, University of London, Peter Chatterton, e- Daedalus, Magdalena Jara, Institute of Education, University of London

11. Activities Resources ▫ Case studies, Course evaluation resources, QAA reports, Guidelines, ▫ Reviews of research, Lessons from QAA audits, Useful web links Workshop: "Effective application of quality assurance & enhancement procedures to e-learning courses" ▫ Designed by SIG members and delivered both nationally and internationally Events, Conferences, 1st annual conference ▫ Linking with ELESIG ▫ Invited presentations by JISC Project –funded by HEA

12. While some members of the SIG were involved in wheeling and dealing but some just could not be persuaded to take things seriously. outside the e-Learning Deanship building in Riyadh others sat in regal splendour in discussion with the world’s princes,

13. QAQE project Develop a commentary and critique of the QAA Code of Practice Section 2 (QAA 2004) Develop a trainer’s on-line toolkit for ‘Quality enhancement of collaborative provision and flexible and distributed learning including eLearning’ Hold the first of its annual conferences in conjunction with the HEA (July 2 nd University of Hertfordshire)

14. Thanks Steering Group 143 SIG members HEA, JISC, QAA Terry Mayes, Peter Chatterton, and Paul bascish, Derek Morrison, Peter Findlay David Cairns All of those who have been supporting this work!