RSCs – Stimulating and Supporting Innovation in Learning
by RSC Scotland N&E, 16 March 2009
This article is recommended for: Academic Staff, Accessibility/Inclusion Staff, FE, Learning Resources Staff, Senior Managers, Support Staff
The Enhanced Training Needs Analysis has been carried out on a regular basis by the two Scottish Regional Support Centres since their establishment in 2001, with influential reports based on the findings of the survey published in 2001, 2004 and 2007. In the spring of this year we plan to repeat the exercise to establish definitive markers of how far the sector has progressed since the millennium on the application of information and communication technologies to teaching and learning. We know we've travelled a fair distance but now we need to establish just how far we've come and possibly where we go from here.
The survey is designed to be completed entirely online and will go live on the 16th March, running until the 22nd of April. It should take around 15-20 minutes to complete and is designed to embrace all college staff who will access it merely by clicking the link at: http://www.e-tna.org.uk
Once there, respondents will be directed to the mot appropraite version of the survey for them (see below). To encourage staff and students to complete the survey, there will be a prize draw, once all responses are received, in which the winners will receive a Flip digital movie camera.
As in previous years, the survey will be available in a number of distinct 'flavours' designed to be relevant to staff engaged in all aspects of college operations. The sections are:
A core of common questions has been retained and repeated since the initial survey to allow for calculation of the 'distance travelled' since 2001 but these core questions have been supplemented with additional items which reflect changes in technologies, colleges and society more generally.
For the first time this year we also hope to tap in to the voice of the Learner. There will be a separate section of the survey designed to be completed by the colleges' clients, parts of which will directly mirror questions in the staff surveys. Comparison of responses in these areas should make for interesting reading.
The completed survey returns should provide a comprehensive picture of the Scottish FE sector's engagement with technologies and their application to teaching and learning. A detailed report is scheduled to appear in early September, outlining the overall national findings.
