Research & Development

Sue Attewell – Head of Change FE & SkillsMay 2, 2023

Data and application Discovery activities for Scotland

Sarah Dunne and Mark Clark

Background» The Jisc Scottish Further Education Management Information System (MIS)

Report was published in 2014 » Coincided with the changing landscape of FE in Scotland, (from 41 colleges to

15 through mergers and federations) and brought a particular perspective» Generally agreed that while a single shared MIS system across the sector would

at first look appear desirable particularly in supporting the national reporting requirements, when it came to internal reporting and alignment with other systems that the picture became more complicated

» Day to day practicalities took precedence over a desired shared MIS system for the sector and any system would need to reflect the local requirements

» There needed to be a clear understanding of the different data across colleges and a need to align processes and potentially other systems

» Since the publication of the report the mergers and federations have all been completed and Jisc is revisiting the findings of the report to see if any other recommendations should now be considered

Common data setsInitial activity to develop a clear understanding of the existing data landscape, data flows and data collection activities• Identifying priority data flows and agreeing the common data models• Linking this activity to the Jisc Learning Analytics project• Producing a toolkit that can be shared across the sector, on practical

approaches to developing common data modelsExploring online application systems• We are undertaking an initial exploration of the current practices in Scotland

with regards applications (particularly online applications) working with Scottish FE Colleges, SFC, SQA and USSC as part of Jisc’s Co-Design approach.

• We aim to gather a picture of the current landscape and explore ways in which Jisc can support Scottish colleges in improving their processes and potentially their systems to improve the learner experience and data gathering.

Areas for Discovery

» What are the reasons for exploring this area?› Improved experience for the Learner – enter their data once

not multiple time› Improved support for learner progression› Improved understanding about how learners progress from

school to college › Improved data collecting for reporting› And…

…

Drivers

» What is the process / system in your colleges?» What are your initial feelings about some sort of joint

application system?» What is it that’s needed? (Addressing the needs of learners

and colleges)» Would this be best at a regional level or is there a need for

something national?» What are the potential benefits and barriers?» Are there alternative avenues that we’ve not discussed?» Who else do we need to involve in this conversation from the

colleges?

» Challenges:› FELTAG suggests the sector moves 10% of guided learning hours online – who will

create the content? › Motivating and supporting staff in moving to a blended model – developing digital

capability and an awareness of the need and the opportunities

Discussion

jisc.ac.uk

02/05/2023

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Further info

Contact

Sarah DunneSenior Co Design Manager, Jisc

sarah.dunne@jisc.ac.uk