Integrating eLearning in the student experience of learning at Sydney

The focus of learning and teaching at Sydney is on the quality of the student learning experience. It is from a deep understanding of how and what students learn that informs approaches to teaching, the design of the students’ learning environments, and the orientation of learning and teaching support systems, such as eLearning.

eLearning at Sydney can be understood as the use of ICTs to improve student understanding. It is adopted by faculties as a strategy to enable their learning and teaching goals. It is most commonly realised as a part of an integrated teaching strategy.

eLearning is considerably different in each of the faculties. To understand how faculties differ in their use of eLearning, faculty eLearning representatives are the first point of contact.

To understand how eLearning is related to the quality of the student experience, Sydney eLearning pursues a strategy of integration. In this context, integration refers to both how Sydney eLearning sets up and maintains its operations, and in the underlying purpose of its systematic reporting to the University community. Integration occurs through:

a) strategic planning

• eLearning planning is a subset of the
  University Strategy and the University Learning and Teaching plan.
• There are two eLearning strategies: eLearning Support Strategy and (e)Learning and Teaching Systems Strategy
• The eLearning Support Strategy outlines the direction for supporting faculties with design and teaching approaches that are integrated into award programs in a sustainable and quality assured way.
• The (e)Learning and Teaching systems Strategy outlines the direction for the development of virtual learning spaces for students and teachers.

b) committee work and systematic reporting

• Education Committee of SEG and the Associate Deans Working Group in ITL.
• eLearning Governance Group
• Faculty eLearning representative Group Faculty eLearning representative Group

c) integrated learning and teaching support strategies with faculties and other business units

• Award program curricula profiling with faculties
• Academic development programs with ITL
• (e)Learning and Teaching systems with University ICT
• Learning resources for student and teachers with the Learning Centres and the Library at the University
• Learning spaces with University Campus Infrastructure Services

d) through systematic evaluation

• it is only through using the outcomes of evaluation to improve learning experiences and business processes that will lead to a meaningful integration of eLearning
• Systematic evaluation at Sydney eLearning is coordinated through ‘Closing the Loop’ projects .

e) through comparing processes with international universities

• Sydney eLearning engages in discussions with international universities to better understand how eLearning is shaping student experiences of learning and learning infrastructure
• Memoranda of Understanding are signed by the Vice-Chancellors (or equivalent) of the Universities engaging in the discusisons which result in an exchange of ideas, documents and visits. "

Sydney eLearning’s strategic goal of integration is pursued through the above activities.