How to score with e-learning

This paper describes the process of evaluation of e-learning in a small specialist Higher Education (HE) College in the UK. The college introduced a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) approximately eighteen months ago supported by the college e-learning advisory group. Following the successful introduction and usage of the VILE the advisory group highlighted the need to evaluate the college e-learning provision and engage with the Higher Education Academy (HEA) e-learning benchmarking project. The HEA project enabled institutions to select a methodology from a range of e-learning benchmarking methodologies and be supported in the use of that methodology by a consultant. The methodology chosen by the advisory group was Pick and Mix. This paper goes on to discuss the selection of the Pick and Mix methodology, the context in which it was used and how the framework and qualitative techniques were particularly suited to the college and its e-learning provision. The limited time-frame of the project is discussed in relation to the "institutional readiness" of the college to engage with the evaluation process. Practicalities of the evaluation process and "scoring" of the results are described. The paper concludes with a description of future directions which may be taken in "Subject-based" E-valuation techniques.