An Introduction to Hi5
The JISC RSC South East launched the inaugural Hi5 eLearning Awards scheme in 2008 with the aim of promoting and embedding e-learning by identifying, recognising and rewarding the many individuals and teams throughout the South East who are spearheading the development and effective use of technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Open to all our South Eastern providers in Higher Education, Higher Education in Further Education, Further Education, Specialist Colleges, Adult & Community Learning and Work-Based Learning, the Hi5 eLearning Awards scheme invites submissions from individuals or teams at all levels of e-learning expertise and sophistication.
From experienced technical staff developing background support systems, through innovative practitioners pushing the boundaries of Web 2.0 technologies, to tutors who are taking their first steps in e-learning…if you are using technology to make a difference to the teaching and learning taking place in your organisation, the Hi5 eLearning Awards are relevant to you.
Submissions are judged in five categories:
- Innovation
- Assessment
- Technical Infrastructure
- Learning Support
- Widening Participation
With each category sub-divided into Beginner and Advanced levels. Prizes and certificates are awarded to the Winner and Runner-up in each category at each level, making a total of 20 awards in all.
As clearly demonstrated over the last two years, the Award Ceremonies themselves (2009 and 2010) provide a wonderful opportunity for all those involved in e-learning to collectively share in a high-profile celebration, strengthening community bonds and reinforcing the important contribution that everyone involved in information learning technology (ILT) is making to the post-16 education.
However, the aim of the Hi5 eLearning Awards scheme is not just to create 20 ‘winners on the night’, but to spotlight the significant amount of effective e-learning practice taking place in our region, much of which often goes unnoticed. Many members of staff do not even realise themselves the progress and innovation that they have achieved.
The Hi5 scheme is the perfect vehicle to raise the profile on real and practical examples of effective technology-based teaching and learning. Through the Award Ceremony itself and all the associated publicity and follow-on events, these exemplars can be widely shared across the education community, thus encouraging others to ‘grasp the nettle of e-learning’, further develop their projects and even have the courage to put their names into the hat for next year’s Hi5 eLearning Awards.
The Hi5 concept does not rest with the regional awards. The RSC South East is actively encouraging providers to adopt the Hi5 eLearning Awards model to develop their own internal staff development and reward schemes (further information).
