Abstract
This study discusses benchmarking the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning between two universities with different missions: one an Australian campus-based metropolitan university and the other a British distance-education provider. It argues that the differences notwithstanding, it is possible to develop a useful and rigorous benchmarking relationship between such institutions that draws on previous benchmarking research and improves the approach by benchmarking key processes, not just outcomes. By defining a process used to embed ICT in subjects and using this as a focus of the benchmarking, a relational and prospective approach to quality assurance for ICT can be clarified, one which promotes coherence amongst the benchmarks that can be used for the purposes of improvement.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bartolic-Alomislic S., Bates, A.W. (1999). ‘Investing in online learning: Potential benefits and limitations’. Canadian Journal of Communications 24(3). http://www.cjconline.ca/title.
J.B. Biggs (1999) Teaching for Quality Learning at University Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press Buckingham
J.B. Biggs (2001) ArticleTitle‘The reflective institution: Assuring and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning’ Higher Education 41 221–238 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004181331049
J. Bowden F. Marton (1998) The University of Learning – Beyond Quality and Competence in Higher Education Kogan Page London
Department for Education and Skills (DFES) (2003). The Future of Higher Education. Norwich, HMSO. http://www.dfes.gov.uk/highereducation/hestrategy/pdfs/DfES-HigherEducation.pdf.
R.A. Ellis R.A. Calvo D. Levy K. Tan (2004) ArticleTitle‘Learning through discussions’ Higher Education Research and Development 23 IssueID1 73–93 Occurrence Handle10.1080/0729436032000168504
Ellis, R.A. and Calvo, R.A. (2004) ‘Learning through discussions in blended contexts’. Educational Media International 40 (1), in press.
N. Entwistle P. Ramsden (1983) Understanding Student Learning Croom Helm London
S. Goodlad (1995) The Quest for Quality: 16 Forms of Heresy in Higher Education Open University Press and the Society for Research into Higher Education Buckingham
L. Harvey P.T. Knight (1996) Transforming Higher Education Open University Press and the Society for Research into Higher Education Buckingham
Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) (2000).Quality on the Line: Benchmarks for Success in Internet-based Distance Education. Washington: IHE. http://www.ihep.com/Pubs/PDF/Quality.pdf.
D. Laurillard (2002) Rethinking University Teaching: A framework for the Effective Use of Educational Technology EditionNumber2 Routledge London
C.J. Lawless J.T.E. Richardson (2001) ArticleTitle‘Approaches to studying and perceptions of academic quality in distance education’ Higher Education 00 1–26
C. Liston (1999) Managing Quality and Standards Open University Press Buckingham
F. Marton S. Booth (1997) Learning and Awareness Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc. Publishers New Jersey
F. Marton R. Säljö (1976a) ArticleTitle‘On qualitative differences in learning. I. Outcome and process’ British Journal of Educational Psychology 46 4–11
F. Marton R. Säljö (1976b) ArticleTitle‘On qualitative differences in learning. II. Outcome as a function of the learner’s conception of the task’ British Journal of Educational Psychology 46 115–127
F. Marton D. Hounsell N. Entwistle (Eds) (1997) The Experience of Learning: Implications for Teaching and Studying in Higher Education EditionNumber2 Scottish Academic Press Edinburgh
McNaught, C. (2002). ‘Quality assurance for online courses: Implementing policy at RMIT’. The Technology Source January/February.
Oliver, R. (2001). ‘Assuring the quality of online education in Australian higher education’. in Moving online II conference. Refereed Proceedings of the 2nd Annual MO Conference, Southern Cross University: School of Social Work and Development. http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/sawd/moconf/MOC2_papers.html.
M. Prosser K. Trigwell (1999) Understanding Learning & Teaching: The Experience in Higher Education Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press Buckingham
P. Ramsden (1991) ArticleTitle‘A performance indicator of teaching quality in higher education: The course experience questionnaire’ Studies in Higher Education 16 129–150 Occurrence Handle10.1080/03075079112331382944
P. Ramsden (1992) Learning to Teach in Higher Education Routledge London
J.T.E. Richardson (2000) Researching Student Learning: Approaches to Studying in Campus-based and Distance Education Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press Buckingham
A. Schofield (Eds) (1998) Benchmarking in Higher Education: An International Review CHEMS and UNESCO London, Paris
D.A. Schön (1991) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action Arena Aldershot, England
M.J. Spendolini (1992) The Benchmarking Book American Management Association New York
Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET) (2001). Guidelines for the Evaluation of Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programmes. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. http://www.wcet.info/siteindex.htm.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ellis, R.A., Moore, R.R. Learning Through Benchmarking: Developing a Relational, Prospective Approach to Benchmarking ICT in Learning and Teaching. High Educ 51, 351–371 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-6385-6
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-004-6385-6