flexible delivery workshop
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Flexible Delivery Workshop. Models of collaboration: UHI Millennium Institute David Green. Principal, Lews Castle College Vice Chair, UHI Executive Board. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
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
Population Density
Un
ited
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om
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Scotl
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Norw
ay
Fin
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ece
Au
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Den
mark
Germ
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400
Italy0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Pers
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sq
km
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Features of the Highlands & Islands region
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
>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
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
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:– video and audio conferencing– paper-based materials– web-based materials– e-communications, including net meeting
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
broadband connections between major centres
linked into UK academic network
provides:
- email, internet,VC, telephony
& student data systems
ICT Connectivity
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:
– 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
• 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
• Technical problems:– Breakdown– Complexity– CostPeople problems: -inexperience -Fear -Personal touch
Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands
Advantages of mixed format
• 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
• 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