http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/ Copyright 2010 2010-09-07T14:34:20+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/the_jisc_advance_regional_support_centre_of_northern_ireland_10_years_on http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/the_jisc_advance_regional_support_centre_of_northern_ireland_10_years_on#When:14:34:20Z JISC Advance RSC Northern Ireland celebrates the success of the last ten years and looks to the future http://jiscadvance.jiscinvolve.org/wp/files/2010/09/JISC-RSCni-Agenda-ni-advertorial1.pdf 2010-09-07T14:34:20+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/new_lsis_funding http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/new_lsis_funding#When:08:47:54Z Details of fourth round of funding for Flexibility and Innovation Fund project LSIS is pleased to announce the opening of the fourth round of funding for Flexibility and Innovation Fund projects. The fourth funding round opens on Wednesday 1 September 2010 and closes on Friday 29 October 2010. Bids, for up to a maximum of £50,000, will be invited from consortia of provider organisations for projects which are genuinely innovative and which have the potential to significantly enhance the practice and performance of the learning and skills sector. LSIS will particularly welcome bids from providers working through cross-sector and extra-sector consortium arrangements. Bids from individual provider organisations will not be accepted in this funding round. LSIS will continue to encourage innovative bids on a variety of topics that address the strategic priorities of the sector. However, for this funding round we will particularly welcome consortia bids that address specific issues and problems in defined locations – based on the principles of Total Place Further details on the Excellence Gateway. 2010-09-07T08:47:54+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/job_vacancy_director_of_procureweb http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/job_vacancy_director_of_procureweb#When:09:45:35Z  Director of ProcureWeb   The Role  Could you help shape the development of a key JISC Advance Service for the Higher and Further Education sectors which is hosted by a Russell Group university? JISC Procureweb is a JISC Advance procurement support service that is hosted by Cardiff University within the Information Services Directorate. We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and committed Director to drive forward the JISC Procureweb strategy and development of this service. JISC Advance is a not-for-profit company financed by grants from the UK funding councils for further and higher education. Consisting of eight advisory and complementary services, JISC Advance coordinates and develops upon the provision of excellence within the education and learning sectors, providing inspiration and advice to support the innovative use of technology. JISC Procureweb is a procurement support service, for the UK Higher and Further Education sectors. JISC Procureweb provides a wide range of procurement related tools, information, systems and support to anyone who participates in the procurement process. Cardiff University is one of the top 20 research universities in the UK, with a growing international reputation. With over 27,000 students and around 6,000 members of staff, the University is based on two main campuses in the heart of Cardiff, one of the most dynamic cities in the UK. As Europe’s youngest capital, Cardiff is a vibrant, growing and friendly place, home to many national institutions, and international sporting and cultural amenities. The city’s rail and road links, providing easy access to the rest of the country, ensure that University staff build and maintain links across the UK.   The Candidate The Director will play a key role in leading the development of this Service supporting JISC Advance to achieve its strategic ambitions. You will have a vision of the factors that will influence the future development of such a Service, and a practical understanding of how these opportunities can be best exploited to meet the evolving needs of the Sector. You will also be the daily leader of the operational Procureweb services and team. A more detailed job description can be found here Further details about Information Services are available on our website at www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv. 2010-08-19T09:45:35+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/rsc_scotland_call_for_expressions_of_interest http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/rsc_scotland_call_for_expressions_of_interest#When:10:55:53Z A call for Scottish Higher & Further Education Institutions wishing to host the delivery of the RSC service in Scotland from August 2011 To Scottish Higher and Further Education Institutions. 1. Introduction  This call seeks expressions of interest from Scottish Higher and Further Education Institutions wishing to host the delivery of the RSC Service in Scotland from August 2011. 2. Background JISC Regional Support Centres (RSCs) are multi-disciplinary teams of 6-12 people; they are based in lead institutions in 13 locations throughout the UK and support the building of e-learning capacity in their regions. RSC staff are primarily facilitators and knowledge brokers. By working closely with other RSCs, with access to the wide JISC community, with other national and regional agencies and partners, they are able to provide access to a wide range of services.  The RSC service in Scotland supports colleges and universities funded by the SFC to help them develop, implement and review effective use of technology. In the context of government and funding priorities, they support leaders in undertaking strategic development and provide information, advice and guidance on the use of technologies to the wider organisation. The network of RSCs is a UK-wide service, reinforced by the JISC Community, responsive to local needs, under the guidance of regional / national stakeholders and centrally led by JISC Advance. 3. Mission RSCs - stimulating and supporting innovation in learning RSCs will: support institutional strategies assist with the development of institutional technology related strategies within the context of their objectives and the wider application of ICT to effective organisations support the development and implementation of the JISC strategy in the UK and Scotland support the application of ICT for quality enhancement in Scotland's colleges and universities, and for business and community engagement facilitate the sharing of best practice and innovation facilitate collaboration act as a gateway to expert advice, information and research outcomes from JISC and partners utilise innovative ways of delivering advice and support 4. Service The RSCs stimulate and support innovation in learning in the use of technology by providing information, advice and guidance. This use relates to Learning Providers priorities and activities, which will evolve continuously, reflecting emerging government and funding priorities. In meeting national priorities, the precise nature of RSC support will be tailored in response to individual learning providers needs. This core remit will be reviewed on an annual basis by the JISC Advance Board. RSCs may engage in activities beyond this core remit with the approval of the Board who will assess impact of additional activity on delivery. RSC Service in Scotland is currently split into geographical areas and hosted at two institutions’ The University of Glasgow hosts RSC South and West, and Edinburgh’s Telford College hosts RSC North and East. 5. Current status Edinburgh’s Telford College no longer wishes to host the RSC North and East, we are therefore seeking a new host for the Service, or possibly as part of a new single operation covering the whole of Scotland. JISC Advance anticipates that either process will involve transfer of existing staff and therefore TUPE obligations. Details of the Learning providers currently supported by each RSC, plus the services offered, can be found at http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/index.php and http://www.rsc-sw-scotland.ac.uk/index.htm 6. Current Procurement The current procurement, to which this Call for Expressions of Interest relates, will cover the whole provision of the RSC service in Scotland for a 3 year period commencing 1 August 2011. The precise details of the procurement are yet to be determined however it is likely that the procurement will be split into two lots based upon the boundaries of the two existing services. We will, however, also be open to bids for a service covering the whole of Scotland (i.e. combining the two lots) if bidders consider a comprehensive and cost-effective service could be provided in this manner. 7. Timescales and Contacts  Expressions of interest should be submitted by email to Tracey Boston-Townsend at JISC Advance, (Tracey.Boston@JISCAdvance.ac.uk) by 12 noon 30th June 2010.  Each expression of interest should be not more than 2 pages in length, and should identify if the interest is for a single RSC for the whole of Scotland, for one RSC based upon the current geographical split, or for both options. In the case of interest in a geographically split proposal, please specify which of the two geographies is of interest.  In all configurations we will be looking for the most effective and economic solution to providing the service. Anyone considering submitting an expression of interest may wish to discuss this informally with Guy Lambert, Managing Director, JISC Advance (Guy.Lambert@JISCAdvance.ac.uk) who can provide further information . Tracey Boston-Townsend, Operations Director (Tracey.Boston@JISCAdvance.ac.uk) is also available to discuss these matters. Expressions of interest will be considered by a panel with representatives from JISC Advance and the Scottish Funding Council, and feedback will be provided in August 2010 to all groups who have made submissions. 8. Freedom  of Information(FOI) JISC Advance is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the “FOIA”).  If the supplier considers that any information supplied in its Tender is either commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, this must be clearly marked and the reasons for the sensitivity given. In such cases, the relevant material will, in respect of any request for information made by a third party to JISC Advance, be examined in the light of the exemptions provided in the FOIA.  However, by virtue of its submission of a RFI response, the supplier accepts that the decision as to whether to disclose such marked parts of the submission will rest solely with JISC Advance. 9. Record Retention By submitting a response to this Prequalification Questionnaire, a supplier accepts that JISC Advance will keep a copy of the response and all other documentation and correspondence received from the supplier relating to this procurement for seven years.  JISC Advance will keep this information in order to maintain the records required for audit purposes.  At the end of the seven year period JISC Advance will destroy any information that it holds relating to this procurement. 2010-06-04T10:55:53+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/jisc_advance_working_in_partnership http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/jisc_advance_working_in_partnership#When:19:45:14Z JISC Advance working in partnership with learning providers. The following case studies show how the FE communities have used the expertise and experience of JISC-funded services to overcome challenges, to gain skills and to enhance the quality and value of what they offer.  In many cases, collaborative partnerships between services have enabled learning providers to achieve deep and transformative change, becoming a beacon of good practice to others. As a result, a high regard for the JISC Advance services is felt by many in the FE communities, as is evident from the case studies.  Supporting each account are testimonies from senior managers, practitioners, sector associates and learners.  JISC Advance aims to enhance the provision these services offer to learning providers by meeting three objectives: Understand the key issues for the FE communities Develop and deliver expert advice and support and raise awareness of the advantages of using technology in education Work closely with learning providers at a national, regional and local level With these objectives in view, JISC Advance works to promote understanding of good practice, provides flexible and comprehensive support on ICT and technology issues and offers opportunities for high-quality training and skills development.  The case studies are: Sharpening up the Image - JISC Digital Media Helping to Manage Change - JISC infoNet Keeping it Legal - JISC Legal Strategic Communication - JISCMail Getting the Best Deal - JISC Procureweb Net Gain - JISC Netskills Bringing it Together - JISC Regional Support Centres Meeting the Needs of all Learners - JISC TechDIS Connecting to e-learning: an independent specialist college’s story - JANET(UK), JISC TechDIS and JISC RSC Videos are also provided, from the JISC website, to showcase the support provided by JISC Advance services.  (This feature is based on text taken from the “Working in Partnership: Demonstrating JISC Services’ support for the FE communities” publication, published under Creative Commons) 2010-05-27T19:45:14+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/call_for_expressions_of_interest_e_portfolios_infokit_review http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/call_for_expressions_of_interest_e_portfolios_infokit_review#When:19:32:25Z Participate in a review of the infoNet e-Portfolios infoKit and related resources JISC infoNet, a JISC Advance service, is looking for up to 10 reviewers with a range of experience of using e-portfolios - from those who are quite new to e-portfolios to those with considerable experience; and from a range of roles (e.g. lecturer, PDP practitioner, IT manager) to contribute to a review of our e-Portfolios resources. The six infoKit sections are: What are e-portfolios? (compulsory section)   Policy Drivers and Trends (optional section)   Purposes (optional section)   Perspectives (optional section)   Choosing, Implementing and Embedding e-Portfolios (optional section)   The Future of e-Portfolios (compulsory section) Those selected will be asked to consider the appropriateness of the content, format, structure, ease of navigation and overall usefulness of the resources from their perspective; to identify any gaps in information provided; and to provide structured feedback and suggestions by completing an extensive evaluation form. All comments and suggestions made will then be considered before a report is submitted to JISC recommending revisions to the resources to be undertaken during the latter half of 2010. Successful applicants are required to review all sections, but provide detailed feedback on both compulsory sections plus any two of the other four optional sections available (you should indicate your chosen two on your application). The review process will commence from Monday 31st May 2010 and the work must be completed by Tuesday 31st August 2010. A grant of £3,000 will be paid to each participating institution upon completion. Colleagues from interested institutions should email JISC infoNet by Friday 30th April 2010 with a short summary of their current role, outlining their experience in the areas of e-portfolio use within the further or higher education sectors. Please include an indication of your preferences with regard to the two optional infoKit sections that you feel would be most appropriate for you to review. Confirmation of authorisation by appropriate line management to undertake this work and a commitment to completing the process by Tuesday 31st August 2010 should also be included in the email. Selected institutions will be informed on or before Friday 28th May 2010 and will receive further instructions, links to the evaluation tool and to the infoKit. 2010-04-09T19:32:25+00:00 http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/evaluate_the_efficiency_of_your_change_initiative http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/index.php/news/story/evaluate_the_efficiency_of_your_change_initiative#When:12:34:40Z Download the new Impact Calculator to measure the impact of your change initiative The JISC Advance service, infoNet, has launched a new tool to enable you to measure the impact of a change initiative. The Impact Calculator is a freely downloadable tool that can be used to demonstrate the impact of record and information management by quantifying the tangible benefits or efficiency gains that can be derived from it. The calculator will provide you with a means of: identifying and recording the efficiency savings and costs of a process redesign determining if and when a return on investment (ROI) is made identifying and measuring as many benefits as you wish quantifying efficiency savings in monetary and non-monetary terms. Learn more or download the Impact Calculator via the JISC infoNet website   2009-10-27T12:34:40+00:00