1 Introduction

This project was undertaken as part of the JISC JCALT Work Programme in response to the call for a study of how a large-scale introduction of networked learning across an institution makes a difference to the management and administration of that institution (JISC circular 03/02).

This is one of a number of projects funded under the JCALT (JISC Committee for Awareness, Liaison and Training ) programme of work funded between September 1998 and September 2004. This programme aims to investigate the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support learning, teaching research and administrative activities within further and higher education. It also aims to harness the potential offered by ICT, and ensure its effective use requires the consideration and understanding of a range of issues. These issues focus on the implications associated with using ICT rather than the technology itself, examples include legal issues, developing learning and teaching practices, staff and student skills, encouraging innovative use and managing change across organisations. This ongoing work programme encourages the uptake and effective use of ICT by exploring the implications of using ICT from the perspectives of individuals, groups and institutions in the FE and HE sectors.

1.1 Aims and objectives of the JCALT Work Programme

This programme aims to explore and understand the human and organisational issues that promote or inhibit the effective deployment of ICT in colleges and universities and to ensure that the outcomes from this work inform JISC’s development activities.

The specific programme objectives that are relevant to this project include:

• Investigating the human, organisational and legal implications associated with the use of ICT in FE and HE;

• Identifying relevant areas of work for JISC to undertake to support the requirements of senior managers;

• Ensuring that JISC activities remain relevant to the business processes of institutions and that human and organisational issues are properly considered and addressed.

1.2 The INLEI Project

The Impact of Networked Learning on Education Institutions (INLEI) project was funded under the Network Learning theme of the JCALT work programme. The project investigated how the large-scale introduction of networked learning across an institution makes a difference to the management and administration of that institution. The project was undertaken between January 2003 and October 2004.

1.2.1 Aim of the INLEI project

The main aim of this project is to explore the impact of large-scale networked learning on HE and FE institutions based on the experiences and perceptions of key members of staff involved in the development of networked learning. The definition of networked learning underlying this project is based on the JISC funded project report “Networked Learning in Higher Education” (Goodyear, 2001):

" Learning in which Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is used to promote connections: between one learner and other learners, between learners and tutors; between a learning community and its learning resources" (from: http://csalt.lancs.ac.uk/jisc/definition.htm)

The project focuses on examining the impact of networked learning using six main themes:

1. Institutional development.

2. Infrastructure and support services

3. Staffing and collaboration,

4. Learning, teaching and assessment,

5. Quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation procedures,

6. Access to learning.

These themes were identified as they were prominent in the literature and also because the current developments in post-compulsory education demonstrate them to be of importance.

Indeed similar key themes emerged independently in a concurrent JISC funded project examining “The Risks Associated with E-Learning Investments in FE and HE" (Nicol, Coen, Breslin and Howell, 2004). Their framework, adapted from Scott Morton (1991), assumes that an institution’s effectiveness in the use of ICT for teaching and learning is a function of the six inter-related elements of the external environment, the institutional strategy, individuals and their roles; organisational structures; the characteristics of the technology; and the management processes (Nicol et al, 2004).

The six themes identified above provide the framework and main foci for the INLEI project investigations.

1.2.2 INLEI Project Deliverables

The INLEI project investigated the impact of the introduction of large-scale networked learning in 20 institutions across the UK HE and FE sectors. These twenty institutions – ten from HE and ten from FE – provide the core data for the research and have been written up to provide 20 case studies. The findings from this project, which are documented in this report, along with these case studies, provide a set of recommendations and resources for policy makers and institutions involved in developing networked learning.

This data has also informed a web-based resource for policy makers and educational institutions involved in developing networked learning. This report on the project findings and the case studies can be accessed on the project web site at http://www.sfeuprojects.org.uk/inlei.