ELESIG (Evaluation of the Learner Experience of E-Learning), a special interest group of e-learning researchers, was set up in January 2008 to build capacity for undertaking evaluations of the learner experience within the higher education sector in the UK. The aims of the group were to
- Identify and exploit synergies between existing learner experience projects.
- Build capacity for undertaking learner experience research within the funder’s programme of work and the sector more widely.Establish a supportive and sustainable network of practitioners who are undertaking learner experience research.
- Improve understanding of the skills and strategies needed by learners to participate effectively in technology rich environments and courses.
The project was initially funded for six months to start up the group. The funding was used to appoint a Community Lead (Reach Further), organise three face-to-face events and cover organisational expenses. A core team was established, made up of two representatives from each of three collaborating founder institutions, the Community Lead and an external ‘critical friend’ from the funding body. The community was set up as a Ning site.
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Within the first six months, three face-to-face workshops and two webinars were organised for ELESIG members, each exploring a different issue related to e-learner experiences and each in a different location of the UK. In addition, community members were encouraged to form online working groups around areas of joint interest. Community members were encouraged since the first meeting to share useful resources in various formats, such as videos, photos, slide share presentations, websites and journal articles.
By the end of the funded period ELESIG had attracted far more interest than had originally been anticipated. Membership was at 325 members, three times predicted.
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What the participants appreciated about ELESIG included:
“Meeting with lots of new colleagues interested in the student experience. Exchanging views, reviewing new models/ideas.”
“Learning more about what is going on in the sector. Meeting people are who doing similar things with their projects and getting new ideas.”
“Meeting others beyond [the online social networking site]. Recognising the importance of individuals coming together.”
At the end of the funding period the community has been able to attract funding from various sources, as well as to benefit from a free social networking and community platform and sponsorship from a webinar software company (Elluminate). It continues to grow and to thrive under Reach Further's management and the active engagement of a changing but committed number of core team members from various HE institutions.
It has attracted international members as well as those from the UK: from 20 countries including: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United States, UK.
