ACODE Benchmarks

ACODE has funded the development of benchmarks for the use of technology in learning and teaching (e-learning is used for the sake of convenience while recognizing that some institutions refer to their practice with terms such as flexible learning).

Download ACODE Benchmarks (PDF doc)

The purpose of the benchmarks is to support continuous quality improvement in e-learning. The approach reflects an enterprise perspective, integrating the key issue of pedagogy with institutional dimensions such as planning, staff development and infrastructure provision. The benchmarks have been developed for use at the enterprise level or by the organisational areas responsible for the provision of leadership and services in this area.  They have been piloted in universities and independently reviewed.

Each benchmark area is discrete and can be used alone or in combination with others.   Benchmarks can be used for self assessment purposes (in one or several areas), or as part of a collaborative benchmarking exercise.

The benchmarks cover the following eight separate topic areas have been internationally reviewed.

• Institution policy and governance for technology supported learning and teaching
• Planning for, and quality improvement of the integration of technologies for learning and teaching
• Information technology infrastructure to support learning and teaching
• Pedagogical application of information and communication technology
• Professional/staff development for the effective use of technologies for learning and teaching
• Staff support for the use of technologies for learning and teaching
• Student training for the effective use of technologies for learning
• Student support for the use of technologies for learning

We encourage you to use these benchmarks and provide us with feedback. A set of guidelines and a case study have been developed to assist you.  In any report please refer to these benchmarks as the 'ACODE benchmarks for e-learning in universities'.

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Final Report

Stage 1 of the Benchmarking Project: Evaluation Report on Workability of the Framework

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ACODE Benchmark Project - Stage 2

ACODE funded a trial to further develop this framework. A framework and toolkit was developed, and two topics were trialled using them in the two stages of the project to date: 'Professional/Staff Development for the effective use of technologies for teaching and learning' and 'LMS support for staff.' Seven institutions participated (identified through ACODE):  Monash University, RMIT University, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, University of Tasmania, Victoria University of Technology.

The ACODE funded project had the following outcomes and objectives.

Outcomes

• A workable framework for benchmarking for quality improvement purposes in the learning and teaching higher education sector.
• Collaboration across institutions to improve the quality of support and services for advancing quality learning.
• A contribution to the body of knowledge in the area of quality assurance and the use of benchmarking as tool for quality improvement.

Outputs

• For ACODE, a report on the usability of the framework, with a revised version as appropriate.
• For participating institutions, a confidential report on benchmarking outcomes against the agreed indicators.
• For the sector, a paper or workshop, at EDUCAUSE for example, on the exercise.

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