Research Centers for Online Learning

Introduction

A web portal is defined, according to the UNESCO Bangkok Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, as a onestop knowledge shop of extensive information resources produced from all sources all over the world that can be accessed with no effort at one location. It provides a gateway or entry point to various sources and resources dealing with a specific topic.

In the context of this definition of a web portal, the present document contains content proposed for a section of the Education sub﷓portal to be developed as part of UNESCO's Knowledge Portal, specifically that section dealing with teacher education and information and communication technologies or ICT.

A comprehensive search of the Internet shows that there are many hundreds, even thousands, of websites that might be included in a web portal on teacher education and ICT, and so in proposing content for inclusion, inevitably a strict selection has needed to be made. At the same time, it is anticipated that further content for potential inclusion is likely to be forthcoming from UNESCO Member States once the Education portal becomes operational. The content proposed here is therefore best considered as a starting point.

This introduction describes the framework adopted for the organization of the content proposed and the criteria applied for selection.

Welcome to JISC infoNet

Providing Expertise in Planning and Implementing Information Systems

Whether you are a senior manager leading institutional strategy or you are working in the field of systems, processes or e-Learning, JISC infoNet has resources that can help you improve the support for, and quality of, learning and teaching in your institution. Our resources are freely available to institutions and individuals in the further and higher education sectors.

This website is the main access route to our developing services. Our core resources are a series of infoKits covering key topics relating to planning and implementing information systems. We also have a directory of additional external resources which you can access from the 'resources' tab and you can keep up to date with what’s going on via our events listings. We are continually adding to and developing the content of this site so make sure you visit us regularly.

We aim to make this website compliant with recognised accessibility standards however if you do experience any difficulties using the site please contact us by e-mailing jiscinfonet@northumbria.ac.uk.

Who we are and what we do The national learning network (NLN) is a national partnership programme designed to increase the uptake of Information Learning Technology (ILT) across the learning and skills sector in England. Supported by the LSC and other sector bodies, the NLN achieves this by providing network infrastructure and a wide-ranging programme of support, information and training, as well as the development and provision of ILT materials for teaching and learning. The initiative began in 1999 with the aim of helping to transform post-16 education. To date, the Government's investment in the NLN totals £156million over a five year period. Initially for the benefit of further education and sixth form colleges, the NLN programme of work is now being rolled out to workplace learning and Adult and Community Learning. Transforming the NLN In spring 2003, the Joint Implementation Group (JIG) produced its outline action plan for its Post-16 e-Learning Strategy for England, which was approved by the Secretary of State and supports Success for All and the Skills Strategy. To take the NLN through the next phase of its existence, which includes a three year strategy to incorporate adult and community learning providers, the NLN Transformation Board was established. Future Aims of the NLN Active co-ordination of e-learning policy development at national level Better planning of e-learning provision at local and regional level through the Strategic Area Review process Funding arrangements for e-learning that benefit learners, support blended learning, and allow for innovative development More research, and a better use of available research, to support good practice in e-learning Developing 'NLN Online' and other resources to meet the need for more and better content - and making existing content available to educators and learners in straightforward ways The development of better Internet connections and networks, and better computer rations in adult and community education and the workplace An extensive programme of staff development for educators

Welcome to the JORUM website.

We are pleased to announce that Intrallect have been awarded the JISC funded JORUM repository software system contract. Please see the research and development news page for more information.

The JISC Online Repository for [Learning and Teaching] Materials (JORUM) will be a repository service for all Further and Higher Education Institutions in the United Kingdom (UK), providing access to materials and encouraging the sharing, re-use and re-purposing of them between teaching staff.

The JORUM project has been funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), as part of the Exchange for Learning (X4L) Programme, to prepare for the JORUM service, which is scheduled to start in August 2005.

The project has two main areas of work:

• Area 1: Preparation for the JORUM service
• Area 2: Support for the X4L Programme

At this website, you can find:

• General information - about the JORUM project
• Research and development - information about the research we are undertaking
• Proposed service - news and updates on progress towards service launch

A good place to start is the FAQs section in the General Information area.

MIMAS is a JISC-supported national data centre providing the UK higher education, further education and research community with networked access to key data and information resources to support teaching, learning and research across a wide range of disciplines.

MIMAS services are available free of charge to users at eligible institutions - site licence and/or user registration may be required.

This is a gateway site for all MIMAS services.

About MIMAS | Related Resources | Staff | Local Contacts | Disclaimer | Accessibility

e-Learning Research Centre

You have reached the location of the website for the e-Learning Research Centre (eLRC)

This website provides details of publications, events, seminar programmes and other news items relating to the eLRC and of interest to the e-learning community generally. A brief outline of the work of the eLRC is available and below are contact details which you may find helpful.

Vic's paper is listed here as well.

Welcome to the e-Learning Centre

KaleidoScope NoE focuses on the foundations of the design, the implementation and the evaluation of learning environments. Foundations related to the design of technology based learning environments must not be limited to the initial means of interaction itself, but needs also to be extended to the means that could assist on the analysis of very complex interactions that occur, and thereby could support teachers and students....

The Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) is the managing agent for the ILT staff development programme (aimed at post 16 educators receiving funding through the LSC in England). The programme is operated by a partnership of sector organisations under the direction of the LSC's Staff Development Working Group (SDWG). This website supports the LSDA's work on the staff development programme.

Welcome to the homepage for the National Learning Network

The national learning network (NLN) is a national partnership programme designed to increase the uptake of Information and Learning Technology (ILT) across the learning and skills sector in England.

E-learning - Expanding learning opportunities and exploring trans-border education

New technologies promise to meet some of the challenges universities face

Information and communication technology (ICT) may help higher education systems address challenges such as increasing demand and declining resources, a growing diversity of student profiles and demands... But it is important to understand the implications of new developments. Virtual university developments raise a number of issues:

Virtual universities operate in a world-wide market, outside the usual policy environment that controls the national higher education sector.

New institutions offer flexible training for students regardless of their geographic location; yet quality control must be ensured.

Developing countries could benefit from methods of education delivery that do not require heavy investment; but may become further disadvantaged through lack of infrastructure.

Virtual University and E-Learning