Learning Services mission
Mission
The mission of Learning Services is to support and promote effective
learning in the university community through the innovative use
of resources, people and technologies.
Learning Services Strategy
1.0 Supporting and Developing People, Environment and Technology
Learning Services recognises the individuality of the learner and
provides creative and novel approaches to the development of learning
and guidance services, and learning resources. In pursuit of its
mission Learning Services recognises three areas for development:
A coherent approach to the development of learning services staff,
the technologies that we deploy, and the environment in which we
operate is seen as crucial to the success of the service if it is
to enable the University in the shift from teaching to learning
as outlined in the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy of
the University. Such a co-ordinated and coherent approach must develop
the three key aspects of the service:
- its people and the development of their skills and activities
- the environment in which services are delivered,
- • the application of technology so that it is effective
and creatively meets the needs of all.
2.0 Focus
Learning Services will focus on key themes these are:
- development of learner support and guidance that recognises
learners individual and personal needs
- development of a range of learning environments that support
group and individual learning
- providing high standards of efficient and effective service
to improve customer satisfaction
- effective use of technology to support learners and researchers
- development of broad-based, flexible, academic and professional
modules and programmes to suit the needs of the diverse range
of students accessing the university.
- evaluation and action on improving Learning Services based
on staff and student feedback
3.0 Key Values and Principles of Learning Services
Learning Services contributes to the values of GCU, by supporting:
- high levels of achievement of students and staff
- quality in our work
- openness and integrity in our operations
Through integrated working Learning Services will provide university
wide learning support that improves upon that delivered by the separate
services listed in the appendix to this paper. Initial integration
areas are:
- communication of clear customer service standards across all
Learning Services provision
- a common approach to consultation and communication with users
- development of partnerships between Learning Services, Schools
and other support organisations
- a joint approach to major improvement projects such as the
Student Access to Services Project
4.0 Major Learning Services projects
During the planning period support for learning will be developed
by:
- building of a state of the art Learning Centre on City Campus
- Further developments related to the provision of new learning
environments such as Real@caledonian
- making significant developments in access to services through
the Student Access to Services
Project
- further development of in-house electronic information resources
and integration of these into a University wide managed learning
environment
- supporting the growth and development of work based learning
through the Scottish Centre
and ensuring the success of the Caledonian
degree
- supporting the work of eLISU
to enable the production of electronic learning materials and
their widespread use, and research into the evaluation of their
effectiveness
- working with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow as an active participant
in the REAL learning network
- the development and delivery of skills based courses by Learning
Services staff
- the digitisation of Careers
Education Information and Guidance materials
5.0 Resource Strategy
Through the Learning Services Group the University now has a clear
and understood replacement policy for IT systems in operation. Learning
Services will continue to operate sound systems of procurement for
all technology and information purchases, and share expertise with
other University units to support their procurement activities.
Learning Services will:
- Ensure that Information and Technological resources are strategically
managed and developed
- Provide guidance on the acquisition and use of new technologies
- Actively promote the development of new systems and services
in areas of learning and guidance support
- Ensure that financial expenditure is managed in terms of Value
for Money and Return on Investment
- Share procurement expertise for technology and information
systems across the University
- Maximise service delivery within the constraints of resources.
6.0 People
The delivery of the agenda above depends on the people within Learning
Services. Our staff, their knowledge and expertise, are central
to the delivery of these developments. Opportunities for the development
of Learning Services staff will continue to be provided through:
- systematic use of the one hour per week staff development time,
and evaluation of its effectiveness at the level of the individual
- Effective and supportive implementation of the SDPR scheme
- development of a framework of competencies to support staff
self-development and the SDPR scheme (working with Human
Resources)
- focused expenditure, at around 2.5% of payroll, on staff development
to achieve University, Learning Services, and personal objectives
- the development of Learning Services internal communications
involving a range of modes including face to face, team briefing,
and the electronic newsletter Synergy
which goes to all Learning Services Staff.
- a programme of systematic development for senior managers to
ensure continuous improvement
- development of mentoring and coaching skills in staff
7.0 Quality Management Processes
Learning Services will develop, implement and review a quality
assurance and enhancement framework covering both academic and service
provision to include:
- Regular reviews of service performance and priorities with
Schools’ senior management teams to ensure continuous quality
improvement.
- Active engagement with the Schools’ academic planning
process.
- Implementation of processes to ensure that all service areas
and taught skills provision are subject to review and are continuously
improving the quality and standards of service they provide.
- Implementation of a quality framework for service provision
and development based on the principles of EFQM;
- Compliance with GCU quality assurance and enhancement guidelines
for LS academic programmes.
- Responsive use of student feedback and other channels of dialogue
and communication
8.0 Marketing
8.1 Internal
Learning Services will use a range of channels for dialogue and
communication with users. These will include:
- a biannual university wide newsletter - Synergy
- regular contributions to Caledonian Online and The Caledonian
- the formation of user groups
- meetings with School management teams – particularly
during the planning process
- e-information and e-communication such as my.caledonian
- use of focus groups, comments cards, and my.caledonian
for gathering internal market intelligence
- working in partnership with the Student’s
Association to develop a web based survey providing continuous
feedback from customers
- membership of School Boards
- membership of Programme Boards and Programme Development Groups
8.2 External marketing
Learning Services will work with Marketing
& Public Relations to raise our service profile in the HE
sector and beyond. Other strategies for external marketing of services
include:
- Development and maintenance of a Learning Services web site
within the University site
- Distribution of the Learning Services Magazine Synergy
to other organisations
- External marketing of consultancy services in the areas of:
Technology and systems integration
C&IT Training
Learning development
Learning environments
Student support and guidance
e-learning development
work based learning
evaluation
9.0 Links to University Strategy
Through the development of services and activities outlined above
Learning Services will play a key role in the delivery of University
strategy in the following areas:
- enabling learners to progress from dependence to independence
(Learning Teaching and Assessment Strategy LTAS)
- improving progression and retention
- making use of new technology to improve learning, teaching,
administration, research, and management.
The University vision is to be innovative in programmes, learning
and research, inclusive of all sectors, and responsive to the needs
of individuals. Learning Services has a critical and pivotal role
in the achievement of this vision. Through creativity, innovation,
and provision of high quality services, for both internal and external
users, Learning Services will find new ways of developing our ‘people,
the learning environment and application of technology for the common
weal’.
Appendix
Learning Services has been formed by integrating the activities
of:
Additionally, it is also the home of:
This academic and professional focus of Learning Services, ensures
that Learning Services is aware of the needs of programmes and programme
staff and the requirement for the provision of diverse learning
environments for all student types.
Last Updated:
26 June, 2007
Edited by: Learning Services
Web Team
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