Benchmarking e-learning in higher education and beyond
Författare
Summary, in English
Benchmarking is a powerful strategic tool used to assist decision makers to
improve the quality and effectiveness of organisational processes. Even in Higher
Education nowadays, benchmarking is used as a tool for quality enhancement.
This paper explores the results from a study on international benchmarking on elearning
in higher education. The study explicitly showed the value and impact of
the method on several levels and in a number of areas. In the case studies,
respondents commented that the benchmarking process itself had made a
significant impact; as an example, it had the power to make changes. In addition,
results show values on how to generate commitment and to allocate time and
resources during the entire benchmarking process. The respondents also
emphasized the importance of the reflection and implementation phase. Some
characteristics which may not be mentioned as often in a positive light are the
intentions, i.e. the objective of the benchmarking process as such. The involvement
of individuals within the organisation creates an impact on both the individual and
organisational level, not least through critical reflection. The meaning of ‘rhizome’
and ‘becoming’ used in the study have lent other and new dimensions to
benchmarking. Benchmarking can facilitate individuals and organisations to
become ‘becomers’. Thus, the study has interesting new philosophy based
perspectives that can be relevant to management. Consequently, benchmarking
processes have to go beyond the process as such. Forthcoming studies may focus
on the driving forces for benchmarking, but also on success areas for personalised
and flexible learning.
improve the quality and effectiveness of organisational processes. Even in Higher
Education nowadays, benchmarking is used as a tool for quality enhancement.
This paper explores the results from a study on international benchmarking on elearning
in higher education. The study explicitly showed the value and impact of
the method on several levels and in a number of areas. In the case studies,
respondents commented that the benchmarking process itself had made a
significant impact; as an example, it had the power to make changes. In addition,
results show values on how to generate commitment and to allocate time and
resources during the entire benchmarking process. The respondents also
emphasized the importance of the reflection and implementation phase. Some
characteristics which may not be mentioned as often in a positive light are the
intentions, i.e. the objective of the benchmarking process as such. The involvement
of individuals within the organisation creates an impact on both the individual and
organisational level, not least through critical reflection. The meaning of ‘rhizome’
and ‘becoming’ used in the study have lent other and new dimensions to
benchmarking. Benchmarking can facilitate individuals and organisations to
become ‘becomers’. Thus, the study has interesting new philosophy based
perspectives that can be relevant to management. Consequently, benchmarking
processes have to go beyond the process as such. Forthcoming studies may focus
on the driving forces for benchmarking, but also on success areas for personalised
and flexible learning.
Avdelning/ar
Publiceringsår
2011
Språk
Engelska
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Proceedings, ICDE
Dokumenttyp
Konferensbidrag
Förlag
ICDE
Ämne
- Educational Sciences
Nyckelord
- e-learning
- benchmarking
- oer
Conference name
Expanding Horizons – New Approaches to Open and Distance Learning. ICDE 2011
Conference date
2011-10-02 - 2011-10-05
Status
Published