C-SAP scoping survey on the use of e-Learning: Perspectives from social science practitioners

This paper summarises the findings from an e-learning scoping survey carried out between October 2007 and spring 2008. The survey was funded as part of the Higher Education Academy/JISC Distributed e-Learning Programme and was co-ordinated by C-SAP. This paper describes in brief the methodology used and principal findings from the research. Notably, use of e-learning was predicated on the VLE (virtual learning environment) or other institutional system, and in most cases this was supported locally within institutions. There was an awareness of other web tools that could be employed for pedagogical use, but only modest interest in using such tools. Factors influencing the creation and sharing of digital learning materials were centred on copyright, incentive and reward. In general, academic staff were keen to make resources available for re-use; however, concerns were expressed about the level of quality needed in order to offer materials openly, and the difficulties of repurposing bespoke work. Attitudes to curriculum development and pedagogy suggested that the use of e-learning could offer significant advantages when working with groups of students. The survey also elicited views on the nature of personalisation and assumptions about the expectations of students as learners.