million+ launches research on the impact of funding to support advances in the application of digital technologies in UK universities
A report published today by the university think-tank million+ confirms the value of funding projects to advance the innovative application of digital technologies in UK universities. The application of technology to enhance learning and wider university activities has been a source of interest not only to universities, their staff and the Funding Councils but also to Ministers and Government Departments. Technological innovation in universities is supported by project funding from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) of the UK’s Higher Education Funding Councils.
The million+ report ‘From inputs to impact: a study of the impact of JISC funding on universities ‘ examines the outcomes of 113 JISC-funded projects in 28 universities over a 6 year period. The report concludes that this funding had a far ranging impact which was often not limited to the university which had won the JISC award. Many projects benefitted a wide range of learners, providers, partner organisations and the wider community. The million+ research, undertaken by Leeds Metropolitan University in partnership with Middlesex and Bedfordshire Universities, also sought to identify barriers in both the bidding process and in those universities which had not benefitted from a JISC award in the 6 year period.
Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of million+ said The UK’s global position as a world leader in higher education will only be maintained by the innovative use and application of digital technologies to learning, teaching, research and operational activities. This research shows that even very modest funding awards of £30,000 can have a profound impact with universities and individuals supported to undertake exploratory projects in a low risk environment. Very often the impact of project funding is much broader than originally envisaged and results in changes to university policy as well as improvements in technology enhanced learning. 69% of projects met or exceeded their objectives and 44 % of projects provided additional benefits that had not been envisaged at the outset.
Far-reaching improvements in teaching and learning resources were achieved but networking and collaboration were also key components of many projects. Sustainable partnerships were created which went far beyond the academic community of the university. Projects included support for work-based learning, problem-solving second life learning environments for paramedics and health and social care mangers, a digital archive of the East End’s contribution to theatre (now a national resource), the creation of quality-assured open level HE content, improving student assessment using audio feedback, projects with FE to develop technological habits and a more learner driven approach to education, the application of e-learning to support personalised learning within a regional life-long learning network and enhancing the use of remote digital libraries.
Universities which were the most successful in bidding for JISC funds had invested in the expertise to draft thorough and detailed bids and built time for bid-writing into staff workloads. It is also clear that JISC can do more to support the bidding process by offering better feedback and fostering links between successful bidders and those universities which have not yet benefitted from JISC funding.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- Case-studies from the Universities of Coventry, Staffordshire, East London, Derby, Leeds Metropolitan, Bolton, Greenwich and Glasgow Caledonian are included in the report (attached).
- An event for practitioners to discuss the findings of the report and JISC bidding processes will be held in December
- For further comment and information please contact Pam Tatlow on 020 7717 1655 or 07795 645241