University of Tasmania, Australia

On Monday 23 August 2010, Deans, Associate Deans Teaching & Learning and other senior staff across University of Tasmania (UTAS) were invited by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost to participate in an eLearning strategic forum.

Over the past few years UTAS has conducted two major consultative projects to engage staff and students in the development of our strategic directions and priorities for a  range of services.  One of several major outcomes is the need to encourage more flexible delivery and to expand the use of innovative learning and teaching technology.

The purpose of the eLearning Strategic Forum was to continue the process of engagement with key influencers as we frame our strategic learning aspirations for the future. This was an opportune time to hold such a forum in light of our current learning management system review project (i.e. MyLO) and the recent confirmation of the AUQA audit themes.

Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, Pro Vice-Chancellor - Learning and Teaching at Monash University, gave the keynote address. In addition there was a small workshop component and an information session about the MyLO project.

Participants were asked to consider the following two attachments before the forum:

1. The Draft eLearning Strategy (PDF 154KB) that has already been presented to the University Learning & Teaching Committee and the UTAS Senior Management Team, from which valuable feedback has been obtained.
2. A paper entitled Taking the Lead: Strategic Management for e-Learning (PDF 2.5MB) by A.H. Higgins and T.K. Prebble. This paper is most appropriate for the audience that will be at the UTAS elearning strategic forum. As it states: "This report is for the chief executives and senior executive officers of … tertiary education institutions and organisations. It is designed to help you consider the contribution you can make to the strategic development and management of e-Learning in your institution".