Event Report: e-Resources

1^st July 2010
at HEFCE, CentrePoint

"Nice to know that there are a high proportion of members handling the same problems."
"… a relaxed and informal atmosphere"
"Very good. Learn’t a great deal."

Weclome and review of the year's activities

Max Norton, RSC London adviser, welcomed the delagates to the event. Ann Vernon, from JISC Collections, was due to speak, but she was unable to attend and sent her apologies.

The first activity involved quick introductions and a round up of the year’s key activities.

Several key themes emerged:

introduction of eBooks, both through the eBooks for FE project and through other suppliers
implementation of federated access solutions with increased work on in-house Shibboleth identity providers
integration of eResources into institutional VLEs

Putting the e in HE in FE

Tom Roper, Head of Learning Resources, South Thames College

Before Tom gave his presentation Evan Dickerson, RSC London Advsier, set the scene:

background of HEFCE requirement for FECs to submit an HE strategy
integration of LRCs into mechanism for promoting e-learning across institutions

Tom Roper started by giving some background into South Thames College’s HE in FE provision. The 2009-2010 provision involving four HEIs was being expanded in 2010-2011 with a partnership with University of Cumbria for 800 fee-paying international students. This has led Tom to reassess the requirements of HE in FE students. Tom examined the needs of these learners, the impact on the learning resource service and new models for delivery. With scope for even further HE delivery in FECs Tom also looked to the future and how best to meet the needs of these learners. Financial restrictions mean this is likely to mean an increased focus on the use of shared services.

Putting the e in HE in FE

View more presentations from tomroper.

The year ahead

Max Norton briefly introduced the new JISC Collections website. He also introduced the JISC TechDis Online Accessibility Self Evaluation Service in the context of how learning resources services can prepare for the introduction of the Single Equality Duty.

There then followed a round table discussion looking at the year ahead and what were likely to be the key developments and challenges.

Key themes that emerged:

continued work on implementing and improving federated access management
promotion of eResources, especially to curriculum staff
demonstrating the benefits of the use of eResources

Summary / Final thoughts:

Despite the last minute change to the programme I was very happy with how the event went. Tom Roper’s presentation was thought provoking and neatly illustrated the kind of changes that all learning resources services are undergoing. All the delegates contributed information that others found useful. From my personal point of view the most satisfying part was the development of new relationships around common themes and the offers of peer support.

As requested, we will be holding at least one and hopefully two similar events next year. We also intend to arrange a visit to the new build at South Thames College some time in the autumn term.

Max Norton
JISC RSC London Adviser