http://clex.org.uk/CLEX_Report_v1-final.pdf

This report, accessible via the link above, focuses on the prevalence of web 2.0 technologies in Higher Education, not only in the UK, but within the international context provided by USA, the Netherlands, Australia.

Key findings:

Prior experiences  – the digital divide still exists; use of web 2.0 is pervasive from age 11-15 upwards; web 2.0 helps define the boundaries between personal, group and publishing spaces online; group spaces could potentially be utilised for learning and teaching; appropriate skillsets for 21^st century employability need developing; Information literacy strategies need developing.

Learner expectation – shifts in school pedagogic approaches impact sharply when students enter HE; face to face contact still matters to students; social technologies used in study contexts can present notional conflicts for students (not wanting tutors in their personal spaces); staff technological capabilities need taking into account; staff can effectively harness student skill levels to promote effective use.

Web 2.0 use in HE now – deployment of web 2.0 is not systematic and is mainly achieved through bottom-up pressure; learning and teaching usage is patchy; UK is currently well placed regarding its broadband infrastructure; advice and guidance is available to institutions (including via the RSCs) but adoption is followed at an institutional level.

Critical issues:

- Access to technology for all and the development of skillsets is a basic entitlement.

- Development of critical analytical thinking and maintenance of skills that keep pace with emerging technologies.

- Issues that will continue to shape web 2.0 use include:  scalability of use, the ability to offer a richer learning experience, the potential to exploit the growth and quality of open source materials.

Recommendations:

Learner skills – HEIs should keep abreast of student prior experience and expectations; HEIs should provide appropriate technologies and associated skills development; web 2.0 participation should be encouraged, supported by research and best practice.

Staff skills – proficiency of use is a key area of concern; development of tutor / student relationships via web 2.0 should be explored where appropriate; HEIs should strategically support the use of web 2.0 and RSCs have a key role to play; The HEA will develop targeted staff support and CPD utilising the subject centres; JISC, Becta, the Leadership Foundation and other agencies will further research and collaborate on the embedding of web 2.0 within the pedagogic framework available to HEIs.

Infrastructure – JISC will ensure the dissemination of advice on the use of web 2.0 within existing legal and regulatory frameworks for senior management; JISC and the HEA to support the use of web 2.0 for all aspects of HEI business, including collaboration with the funding bodies who are to ensure that funding is maintained for investment in HEI physical infrastructure and research.

Inter-sectoral relationships – JISC, Becta and other agencies to embed close working relationships between schools, colleges and the university sector.

Today’s publication of the ‘Higher Education in a Web 2.0 World‘ Report looks at the projected future trends in the use of technology in higher education.

A committee of inquiry was set up after discussions between the Academy and JISC examined the online experiences of young people currently entering higher education, and how this impacts on their studies.

Findings from the report show that students typically spend four hours a day online, a figure that looks set to rise as teenagers make increasing use of Web 2.0 technology in their daily lives.  One of the challenges for the higher education sector is therefore to ensure that staff can keep pace with the advancing technology which many of their students rely on every day, using the technology to enhance the student learning experience.

More on this soon…

Read a summary of the report at
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/documents/heweb2.aspx

Listen to a podcast with members of the Committee of Inquiry http://www.jisc.ac.uk/news/stories/2009/05/podcast80heinaweb20world.aspx

Download the full report in PDF

JISC recently published the results of the project: A Study on the Effective Use of Social Software by Further and Higher Education in the UK to Support Student Learning and Engagement

The project looked at the educational goals of using social software, the benefits of its use, the enablers and challenges involved in such initiatives and issues that need to be considered.

It was found that the use of social software can help inspire innovative teaching practices and have benefits for learners and educators. However success was not guaranteed but relied on many factors – not least, professional good practice. The report offers many useful recommendations on social software initiatives.

This project included case studies from both HE (23 case studies) & FE (3 case studies). While the project has a strong HE focus there are important lessons to be learned for FE and other sectors.

Both the final report and the case studies are invaluable resources for anyone involved in social software or web2.0 initiatives in their institution. The documents are available from the project web page:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/projects/socialsoftware08.aspx