As part of the JISC distributed e-learning programme, the ICS subject centre has received funding to support a special tranche of the ICS development fund dedicated to increasing constituency involvement in the development, use and embedding of Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) and Question Banks (QBs).

The previous RLO development fund has resulted in the development of a number of projects. Further details of these projects can be found here:

For the current RLO development fund three separate strands of activity have been identified with each running in parallel. A collective sum of £35K has been made available for this activity. Distribution of funds across the three activates will be dependent on quantity and quality of bids received for each

a) Creating/re-purposing RLOs
Re-purposing existing learning materials is considered to be of equal importance to the development of new materials and as such there are opportunities to both develop new resources or to engage in the review and moderation process.

b) Creating QB materials
Questions (including model answers and formative feedback for distractors in the case of multiple choice questions can be developed for any type of assessment including examinations, coursework, multi-choice test etc. Questions submitted should include information on level etc. to be included on the appropriate metadata in the centres' Question Bank.

c) Case Studies/Evaluation
The emphasis here will be on embedding existing materials already developed. Case studies of integration and re-use will encourage pedagogic research and help identify inhibitors to change.

Background and Rationale

Both RLOs and QBs must be contextualized at a discipline level in order to identify good practice in adapting current content for educational use and ensure widespread adoption of such learning resources (see guidelines in creating Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs).

Materials developed should be suitable for inclusion in virtual learning environments, thus providing support for new patterns of learning (including work based placement). Furthermore, resources aimed at introductory level, and thus suitable for use in HE delivered in FE (providing much needed support for Foundation Degrees and other HE offerings in this sector) and links between colleges and universities are encouraged.

The rapidly changing in nature of computing means that significant emphasis will be placed on the need to future-proof any developments, planning for delivery with mobile devices and other emergent technologies.

Investigation of the use of existing JISC repositories (JORUM for RLOs and TOIA for QBs) for the storage/presentation of learning resources is encouraged.

Aims

• promote and disseminate effective teaching, learning and assessment;
• activities within the ICS disciplines;
• encourage development and exchange of innovative techniques;
• develop good practice in the evaluation of teaching methods;
• raise the profile of pedagogic research.

Projects aimed to bring into wider use exemplary techniques, methods or materials already developed and used successfully in local departments.