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Regional Feedback Event
City Hall - June 25th 2009
"the single most important thing the RSCs have done is to have got us talking to each other”
"– more events should be like that!"
- Delegates in London Living Room
- John Gray, RSC London feedback session
Feedback, Networking, Celebration
The main focus for this event was to engage key contacts with RSC activities and strategic regional concerns and challenges from across all supported sectors.
The afternoon was introduced by Will Pickford, Manager, Manager, RSC London and Julian Bream, Acting Manager, RSC London.
The plenary discussion was facilitated by John Gray
Presentation
- What drives development now?
10 years of ILT development in London
John Gray's lively presentation involved the audience to highlight how the RSC remit has evolved from being centred around providing JANET connections for providers to addressing the strategic challenges faced by providers. Past and current drivers that shape the embedding of e-learning were referenced, including Framework for Excellence, the Leitch report and Digital Britain.
Several other strands of RSC work from the past year were covered, including:
- issues of funding in general and relating to new builds in particular;
- institutional readiness to take on Web 2.0 and student owned technologies;
- celebration of the FE, ACL, WBL and sixth form college case studies on the Excellence Gateway.
Looking ahead, John focussed attention on the expanding nature of the RSC remit as we move towards the next round of funding, and urged delegates to suggest areas of activity they would find particularly valuable in the coming year.
JISC Services
- delegates find out more about JISC services
Added value was brought to the event by the presence of staff representing two of the JISC Services: JISC Infonet and JISC Digital Media. Delegates had the opportunity to visit the stands, find out more about the specialist advice and support available to providers, as well as general information about other JISC services: Legal, Netskills, Procureweb and TechDis.
Networking
- Delegates from across London made contact
In the excellent surroundings of the London Living Room, delegates from across FE, skills and HEIs networked with RSC London staff to discuss issues affecting their sectors:
- several FE providers reflected on their e-learning journies to date;
- many of the ACL and WBL providers discussed the financial pressures in their sectors, the London-wide VLE strategy and gaing management support for e-learning projects;
- HEIs discussed issues relating to the introduction of VLEs within small specialist institutions.
Summary / Final thoughts:
A brief summary: What we have learnt
- strategy – being a change capable organisation is the most vital thing that is needed;
- development is often driven in silos between FE, ACL, WBL and HEI sectors - yet for a learner, they should expect to be working together;
- the funding shortage has led to a greater need for innovation, sharing and making best use of London's existing ILT investment.
Julian Bream
Acting Manager, JISC RSC London
- A chance to raise concerns and get answers
