Best Practice Models for e-learning

This page gives more information about the Best Practice Models project run in the Learning Development and Innovation team at Staffordshire University and details of how you can get involved.

Aim of the E-learning Best Practice Models Project at Staffordshire University:

• to identify and model good practice in facilitating eLearning using descriptions which practitioners (both novice and experienced) can adopt easily as part of the course design process to enhance learner-centred, flexible learning.

The Models are shareable descriptions of e-learning practice. They are presented as short, clear summaries of good practice and research made available to all e-learning practitioners in an online community of practice. Full details with case studies, how-to guides and discussion forums are all available when you join the community.

Best Practice Models for e-Learning

Are you thinking about using technology to support learning and teaching? Do you want to get the best out of Blackboard to support your students? The Best Practice Models for e-Learning are designed to support practitioners when planning, designing and delivering learning using technology. 

Principles

The Best Practice Model embeds a number of pedagogic principles for learning that have been selected for e-Learning design:  

• E-Learning is designed in timed chunks that emphasises time on task and expectations 
• E-Learning is assessed using a range of types (self/peer/tutor) and options/choices 
• E-Learning includes a variety of interactions between student/ tutors/ peers/ externals 
• E-Learning is accessible, activity-led, collaborative and designed in phases that support, scaffolds and increases learner independence  

Best Practice Models for e-Learning

The models are all based on a set of principles above and include:

• Details of how the models map to the Best Practice Principles
• Models for a range of online delivery patterns (eg Blended learning, Distance Learning)
• Models for online learning activities based on tools (eg Blackboard, discussion forums)
• Models for a range of pedagogic approaches (eg PBL, collaborative learning)
• Models for a range of subject disciplines (eg Science, Humanities)
• Student models to help students get the best out of e-Learning (eg Blackboard, discussion forum)
• Risks and opportunities for using e-Learning
• Links to case studies

e-Design Template

You can download a Word version of the template and use it to plan a series of e-activities that embed the principles above.