UCISA Academic Support Group

Recently, I became a committee member for the UCISA Academic Support Group.

The remit of the group includes:

• Helping university support staff to promote and support the use of new technologies in teaching and learning.
• Providing a forum for the discussion of, and the exchange of information on the development and use of technologies in teaching and learning.

The group is responsible for the Survey of Technology Enhanced Learning, a national survey which institutions are asked to contribute to every 2 years. The latest survey results were published last month, making it the eighth in the series of reports. The surveys provide details of the different learning technologies institutions are using, but also explore the drivers behind the adoption of Technology Enhanced Learning within institutions. To support the survey are a number of accompanying case studies, which provide further insight into institutional practice. For a number of years I have found these surveys an invaluable method of benchmarking our practice against that of other institutions.

As well as the survey, the group also delivers a variety of events throughout the year. Last week, I attended the annual planning meeting, were I was given the role of events co-ordinator. During the meeting we discussed some of our activities for the year ahead, so do keep an eye out for some of the topical events we are planning to run in the New Year.