Making His Mark on E-Learning

EDGE Hill academic Mark Schofield has received an invitation to join a prestigious national e-learning partnership board.

Mr Schofield, head of teaching and learning development at the Ormskirk institution, is one of an elite group of representatives invited to join the board of the Higher Education Funding Council, the Higher Education Academy and the Joint Information Systems Committee.

The group has been set up to oversee the development of the 'teaching of tomorrow? as informed by national policy, research and developments of approaches to learning in cyberspace and will inform and influence debate in the UK and as far afield as China.

This recognition follows closely on the heels of Edge Hill being named a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to develop its supported online and blended learning initiative SOLSTICE.

Mr Schofield (pictured) said: "It?s a huge honour ? not just on a personal level, but for Edge Hill as well ? to be asked to be part of a group which I?m sure will prove to be a hugely influential when it comes to determining future e-learning strategies.

"Innovation and flexibility is key to the future of education however it is imperative that we implement cutting edge technology in a fully informed fashion so as to enhance learning."

As a Centre for Excellence, Edge Hill has developed a specialist hi-tech facility, where teaching and support staff can work together in developing online materials and courses, including designing a new flexible 'classroom of the future.

Funding for SOLSTICE will be used to extend existing expertise in curriculum design and research, as well as progressing developments with new technologies to support learning.