HeLF Meeting at the University of Strathclyde

Yesterday I attended the Heads of eLearning Forum (HeLF) meeting at the University of Strathclyde (current THE University of the Year) on behalf of our Director, Len Platt.

The theme of the meeting was Personalisation of the learning experience using mobile devices.

For those that don’t know, HeLF is a network of senior staff in institutions who are engaged in promoting, supporting and developing technology enhanced learning.

As well as spending more than nine hours on a fairly empty Virgin train, which I have to admit I rather enjoyed thanks to a well-stocked iPad Mini, attending the meeting was a chance to put faces to some of the names with whom I have been in contact in recent months, as well as making new aquantainces.

The meeting was a rich and effective knowledge-sharing experience, and I came away with a number of recommendations that we might like to think about applying here at Goldsmiths.

Here are the main points:

• Mobiles in learning must be a strategic institution-wide endeavour otherwise it’s just playing around the edges


• University of Glamorgan (the first OER U anchor partner in the UK) has an extensive and innovative policy on mobile use in the classroom that was approved by Academic Board. Staff cannot ban laptop or mobile use in class.


• Edge Hill have been carrying out an annual student elearning survey since 2008, which provides some terrific longitudinal data. This is something I am planning to put in place here at Goldsmiths with our Annual Learning Technology Survey.


• Possible changes for the 2014 UCISA TEL Survey were discussed. What could be dropped (bean counting) and what should be added (learner analytics).


• HeLF was asked to look at the problem of promoting m-learning at a time of increasing worries over personal data. This requires a conversation between unit heads and university data protection officers.

While I am a huge fan of online conferences and meetings, the effectiveness of a face-to-face meeting like this that is so well-organised, well-managed and intelligently structured to make the best use of a short amount of time cannot be underestimated.

I felt there was much to take away that will benefit Goldsmiths College.