ELPS

Overview

The e-Learning Positioning Statement was described by NIACE as follows:

As part of the strategic support for ACL, NIACE in partnership with Becta and CEL has produced the E-Learning Positioning Tool for ACL. This tool has been designed to help organisations to identify their current position in relation to ICT and e-learning. This tool can also be used when providers come to review their e-learning strategies.

(See http://www.aclearn.net/display.cfm?resID=18705.)

The tool is current in the PCDL sector - in fact those soon to be in receipt of LSC funds are required in future as part of their bid to commit to update their entry to eLPS - in December 2007 (see e.g. the ACLEARN Connectivity Fund and Capital Investment Fund briefing pages).

The tool is also current as a Becta Matrix tool.

Details

The eLPS tool is described fully in a Word document - no other material is required.

The tool comprises 31 criteria(called elements in eLPS) grouped into 5 themes - or categories (as described in a Becta statement):

1. Vision and strategic planning
2. Teaching and learning
3. Staff development
4. Infrastructure and equipment
5. Managing and implementing information and communications technology (ICT) and e-learning (the eLPS text actually says "ILT").

It is interesting to compare these with the MIT90s categories:

1. external environment (regulatory, market, external stakeholders)
2. strategy (organisational)
3. individuals and roles - staff and students
4. organisational structure
5. technology
6. management processes

Thus 1 maps roughly to 2, 3 into part of 3, 4 into 5, and 5 into 6. The eLPS category 2 does not fit well into MIT90s (a common issue) but is conventionally mapped into part of 6.

Although eLPS has 5 levels, the names and attributes of the eLPS levels are in line with traditional "embedding" or "adequacy" schemes (including eMM, ELTI and Pick&Mix). The level names are:

1. not yet started
2. early stages
3. developing
4. established
5. embedded

Where used

As noted earlier, the tool seems to be current mainly in the PCDL subsector.

Relevance to UK HE

Probably limited. However the criteria can be of value for the Criterion Bank and thus the tool has been assigned the code letter N.

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