From funded project to sustainable product

Elearning innovations in transition

Abstract

The transition from funded project to sustainable elearning innovation has been problematic for many years. Most elearning innovations rely on seed funding for a research and development phase that is risky and resource intensive. Once proof of concept is achieved, different skills are needed for dissemination, integration and professional development, and a number of other factors are critical to long-term success, i.e. strong leadership, supportive institutional culture, senior management support, effective professional development and integration with existing technology systems.

In the current tertiary context, there is unresolved tension between the need to experiment with new educational concepts and tools, and the provision of standard, centralized and secure elearning environments. Valuable knowledge is lost when project experiences are not analyzed to inform parallel or future developments. This applies equally to small-scale, developments and broad concepts such as learning objects and open educational resources.

The discussion in this interactive symposium will begin with a working definition of 'sustainable' and a brief presentation of the strategies and success ratings from 22 Australasian case studies of funded projects that have achieved varying degrees of sustainability. Delegates will be invited to share their opinions and experience, and to debate the findings from an ACODE sponsored study.