Benchmarks for Technology Enhanced Learning

The ACODE benchmarks have been developed to assist institutions in their practice of delivering a quality technology enhanced learning experience for their students and staff (recognising that some institutions refer to their practice with terms such as e-learning, online or flexible learning, blended, etc.). There are eight benchmarks, each of which can be used as a standalone indicator, or used collectively to provide a whole of institution perspective. However, where these benchmarks become even more powerful is when they are used in association with other institutions, as part of a collaborative benchmarking exercise. This is where one or more institutions are willing to share their practice and journey in technology enhanced learning with others, based on the outcomes of their own internal benchmarking activity. The benchmarks were originally developed as part of an ACODE funded project, initiated by Christine Goodacre and Angela Bridgland in 2007. They were developed collaboratively by representatives of a number of ACODE member universities and at the time were independently reviewed by Professor Paul Bacsich, a UK consultant specialising in benchmarking and historical aspects of e-learning. More recently (2014) the Benchmarks have undergone a major review to ensure they are now both current and forward looking. A team of six ACODE representatives worked on this project and have developed the following suite of Benchmarks to assist any institution, not just ACODE member institutions, in monitoring their capacity to provide the best possible technology enhanced learning experience for their students and staff.