Dr Frank Rennie The Changing Role of Higher

Dr Frank Rennie The Changing Role of Higher Education & Sustainable Rural Development

Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Growth of online learning The Drive for distributed access For and Against Current Trends Emergent properties New Learning Communities Contribution to rural sustainability

Is Technology a Solution? Computers (and virtually every other technology) can actually reduce flexibility Appropriate technology: tutored video; audio cassettes to talk through problems, photos etc.

THE Journal, Apr. 2001

E-Learning Drivers Demands to extend student markets Globalisation and trade liberalisation Government decisions and policies Corporate Strategies (and profits) Local Business and Community demands Individual convenience

Trends Distributed access to services inc education Centralised administration (but distributed) Modularisation & Customisation Education on demand (type, time, place) Mode 1 to Mode 2 learning style Greater online service demands

Dangers Buried in bureaucracy Loss of local autonomy Inappropriate use of ICT Capital led ( and gadgets !) Homogenisation v Fragmentation Amorphous rather than integrated Extra work for no real gains

Opportunities Cost rationalisation (may be distributed) Greater and shared resources. Easier and wider access to peers & tutors Digital agenda = international knowledge economy Democratic agenda (participation, collaboration, community stewardship etc. )

UHI Overview 14 Academic Partners Single HEI FE + HE + Research Area over 400 K sq K Population 500 K 9. 5 persons Km 2 Scattered settlement Good ICT links UHI WAN JANET

Local Learning Centre in the Isle of Benbecula, Western Isles, Scotland

Key Concepts for online learning (amazon. co. uk)

Teaching and Learning Online (2001) ed. J. Stephenson, Kogan Page

www. educause. edu/books/educatingthenetgen/5989

Practitioner created e-book http: //otis. scotcit. ac. uk/onlinebook/

Mode 1>>>>> Mode 2 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Homogenous subjects Solitary scholar Open publication Universal themes Objectivity & disinterestedness 6) Blue skies research 7) Life-long vocation 1) 2) 3) 4) Heterogeneous bases Multidisciplinary teams Internet and IP rights Mission-led, & problem -solving 5) Service of practical interests 6) Contextually defined 7) Professional teams

New Demands Demand for timely, accurate and personalised learning and performance support n n ‘New’ learners want bite-sized chunks of learning, not whole courses ‘New’ learners want learning tailored to their context ‘New’ learners want just-in-tine learning Perishability of knowledge means that there isn’t time to develop long courses

Formats of delivery Face to face Paper-based Telephone tuition e-mail support Video conference links Web-based resources net meetings

Experiences with technology Technical Problems n n n break downs complexity costs People Problems n n n inexperience fear personal touch

Advantages of mixed format Distance & Time flexibility Not dependent on one medium Consistency of learning resources Subject and Student sensitive Resource used in an appropriate context Gives students extra skills Gives students more power

Lessons for remote delivery Needs to be responsive Needs to be interactive Needs to be reliable Needs to be multi-platform Needs to be consistent Needs to be networked Needs to be supported by training

Learning Communities Creating a sense of community among learners is crucial for: Trust Collaborative working Mutual Support and Reinforcement Peer Learning Student Confidence

Current Work Credit for Transferable Skills Mode 1 to Mode 2 learning Problem-solving & contextual learning New Media Greater % part-time students Reduction in admission requirements Collaborative assessments

The Holistic Approach Environment Social Equity Sustainable Development Economic Social

Rural Sustainability Reduced travel costs and travel time Local economic multiplier Retention/attraction of skilled citizens New social networks & diversity New intellectual & economic skills Higher quality of life perceptions Reduced environmental impact

Conclusions A mixed format delivery is best Optimum mix varies with module/course/ academic level & individual Local Learning Centres help stability Needs careful management (Ac + Tech) Needs staff development (Ac + Tech) Hi or Lo tech – needs to be professional