Guiding Principles for Identifying and Promoting Best Practice in Virtual Campuses

2011 ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Stansfield ◽  
Thomas Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Virtual Campus ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Guiding Principles ◽  
Executive Agency ◽  
Different Levels

This chapter will outline a set of guiding principles underpinning key issues in the promotion of best practice in virtual campuses. The work was conducted as part of the “Promoting Best Practice in Virtual Campuses” (PBP-VC) project that is aimed at identifying underlying issues and examples of best practice in providing a better understanding into virtual campus development and sustainability. The PBP-VC project was a two year European Commission Education Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) co-financed project running from March 2007 to February 2009. The PBP-VC project team have worked with key stakeholders from virtual campus projects across Europe and globally in identifying and exploring key issues relating to best practice. The importance of developing a practical set of guiding principles for identifying, evaluating and promoting best practice in virtual campuses and e-learning can be demonstrated by the significant number of high profile e-learning and virtual campus failures that have occurred over the last decade both within Europe and globally at great financial cost. This chapter will highlight key enablers and inhibitors to success, provide a description of the different elements comprising the guiding principles in the promotion of best practice, as well as describing a tentative four level model aimed at illustrating different levels of virtual campus maturity in the achievement of sustainability and organisational transformation.

Identification of Key Issues in Adopting a Web 2.0 E-Portfolio Strategy

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary F. McKenna ◽  
Mark H. Stansfield
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Portfolio Strategy ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Key Issues

The purpose of the paper is to identify key issues relating to best practice and sustainability in Web 2.0 as an e-Learning strategy for supporting e-portfolios in Higher Education. A practical guidelines framework was developed for best practices, which can be justified by the lack of available frameworks in the e-Learning literature. A literature search was undertaken covering publications dated from 2000 to 2009 to ascertain the level of progress made on tackling issues on implementing Web 2.0 as an e-Learning campus wide educational strategy. The findings show that the recent adoption of e-Learning and Web 2.0 initiatives has been marred by lack of research into the issues associated with long term strategy, implementation, best practice frameworks and solutions. The paper fulfils an identified information need and offers practical help to institutions implementing an e-portfolio Web 2.0 initiative.

Creating a context for campus sustainability through teaching and learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-547
Author(s):  
Rudi Wessel Pretorius ◽  
Ryan Anderson ◽  
Anisa Khotoo ◽  
Richelle Pienaar
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Local Environments ◽  
Sustainability Learning ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Key Issues

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on approaches through which open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) students can use their local environments for assessments and explores how this shapes their conceptualisations of “university” and “campus”. Key issues and lessons learnt are covered, thus providing pointers for implementation of the type of assessment approaches that are presented. Design/methodology/approach Using three undergraduate sustainability-related modules in the Department of Geography, University of South Africa (Unisa), the lecturers’ reflections on the real-world sustainability learning experiences of students in these modules (2015-2018) have been cross-correlated and compared to present an integrated picture of emerging best practice. Findings The use of real-world, place-based applications, which form a central theme in the assessment strategy for all three modules, allows students to deal hands-on with sustainability issues, establishes a connection between ODeL students and the university and presents an opportunity to engage these students in real-world sustainability learning despite not being on campus. Research limitations/implications The case study format and qualitative, reflective methodology present limitations, while specifically focusing on ODeL and the final phase of undergraduate studies. Despite these limitations, the lessons learnt can be of value to universities currently transferring to online offerings, with possible impacts for sustainability learning. Originality/value This paper addresses misconceptions on the role of ODeL in transforming to sustainability. The criticism that ODeL is suitable for primarily theoretical training is countered by evidence that appropriately structured assessments requiring ODeL students to engage with real-world issues in their local environments, can provide valuable sustainability learning experiences.

scholarly journals Artistic Freedom or Animal Cruelty? Contemporary Visual Art Practice That Involves Live and Deceased Animals

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 812
Author(s):  
Ellie Coleman ◽  
Rebecca Scollen ◽  
Beata Batorowicz ◽  
David Akenson
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Animal Cruelty ◽  
Art Practice ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Unethical Practices ◽  
Artistic Freedom ◽  
Legal Guidelines ◽  
Selection Of

This paper examines a selection of 21st-century international examples of exhibited visual artworks involving live or deceased animals. It seeks to reveal the risks and benefits of unique encounters with animals through art and to consider the ethical implications of artwork deploying animals. Australian and international animal protection laws are not explicit when it comes to the sourcing of animals for art nor for the direct inclusion of animals in artworks. This lack leads to a variety of artistic practices, some considered ethical while others are viewed as controversial, bordering on animal cruelty. Artwork selection is determined by a focus on high-profile artists who intentionally use animals in their practice and whose reputation has been fostered by this intention. The study provides insight into how the intentional use of ethically sourced animals within art practice can be a method of addressing hierarchal human–animal imbalances. Further, this study identifies unethical practices that may be best avoided regardless of the pro-animal political statements the artists put forward. Recommendations of how to better determine what is an acceptable use of animals in art with a view to informing legal guidelines and artistic best practice are presented.

Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Koorosh Gharehbaghi ◽  
Kerry McManus ◽  
Maged Georgy ◽  
Ken Farnes ◽  
Francesca Pagliara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Transportation Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Comprehensive Determination ◽  
Transportation Infrastructures ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Purpose Through the significance matrix, this paper aims to investigate and explore the main sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure projects. Sydney’s Metro mega transportation infrastructure is used as a case study. Sydney’s Metro was selected because of its sustainability challenges faced because of the areas’ diverse ecological zones. Sydney’s Metro is thus examined as the basis of best practice for the determination of the sustainability factors of transportation infrastructures. Design/methodology/approach Using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research evaluates the environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment processes, to alleviate the problems of the mega transportation infrastructure. Findings This research found that a more comprehensive determination is needed to further analyse the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures, use of a significance matrix would further assess the environmental complexities of mega transportation infrastructures and the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures should include a nonlinear and asymmetrical scheme highlighting its components and carefully outlining its integration and consolidation. Originality/value Although there is concurrent research into sustainability factors of mega transportation, this paper undertakes a new methodology for such infrastructure. While the significance matrix is not a new concept, it has never been used specifically for mega transportation infrastructure. Subsequently, using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research undertakes such environmental analysis and assessment and thus produces a qualitative risk analysis matrix. The findings from this research will ultimately assist the key stakeholders of mega transportation infrastructures to better plan, monitor and support similar projects.

Child Protection and Risk-Management: The Death of Victoria Climbie

2004 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHEENA JOHNSON ◽  
STEPHANIE PETRIE
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Space Shuttle ◽  
Child Death ◽  
Commercial Sector ◽  
Communication Failure ◽  
Child Protection Services ◽  
High Profile

This paper looks at the concepts of ‘risk’ and ‘safety culture’ within a Social Work context, specifically in relation to child protection. Discussion is made of the systemic and organisational issues that are apparent in many inquiries into child death from abuse, and the authors argue that these issues need to be given a higher profile to ensure avoidable tragedies do not occur as a result of organisational failure. The concept of ‘safety culture’ is described as a tool of best practice used by some organisations in the commercial sector to ensure their risk, for example communication failure, in relation to organisational issues is both understood and controlled. The parallels between an organisational breakdown resulting in a disaster and those relating to the breakdown of childcare services are outlined in relation to two high profile examples, the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster and the tragic death of Victoria Climbie respectively. The authors discuss how the lessons learnt from such disasters and the ways in which high risk commercial organisations give organisational issues such high priority can, and should be, successfully transferred into other sectors, namely Social Work and Child Protection services.

scholarly journals Cannabis in Canada: a best practice guide to planning for the legalization of recreational marijuana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Quigg
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Retail Stores ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Practice Guide ◽  
Recreational Marijuana ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Production Facilities

When marijuana is legalized in Canada there will be land-use planning implications for municipalities. Different levels of government have different jurisdictional responsibilities regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana. One of the jurisdictional responsibilities of municipalities is land use planning and zoning. Two new land uses will be introduced to municipalities through the legalization of marijuana: recreational marijuana production facilities and recreational marijuana retail stores. For municipalities to control for the location of these uses, the land use legislation they enact must be able to co-exist with federal and provincial/territorial legislation and not result in any operational conflicts. This research paper provides a set of best practices to municipalities across Canada for how they should regulate these uses in their land use legislation. KEY WORDS: recreational marijuana legalization; marijuana retail stores; marijuana production facilities; land use planning; Canada.

scholarly journals The state of internal audit’s regulatory mandate

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Christo Ackermann
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
South African ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Internal Audit Function ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Board Of Directors ◽  
State Of Affairs

The importance of an effective internal audit function in South African municipalities have been recognised insofar as internal audit functions are legally mandated to exist within municipalities. This also means that legally, internal audit has certain mandates which must be fulfilled in order to add value to management and audit committees, and ultimately, to the board of directors. Even though internal audit is sanctioned by this important legal mandate, evidence shows that internal audit does not always fulfil this mandate. This state of affairs has prompted a detailed review of the relevant laws and regulations governing the work of internal audit in South African municipalities in order to determine the extent to which key stakeholders find the regulatory work of internal audit useful in discharging their (stakeholders’) oversight responsibilities. Questionnaires were administered to audit committees. The results summarise the extent to which internal audit’s work assists audit committees in their oversight responsibilities as this ultimately affects the ability of audit committees to fulfil these responsibilities to the board of directors. The results indicate that audit committees are greatly dependent on internal audit as a provider of assurance on a variety of legally mandated variables. The results of this study can be used as a measure of best practice of the legally mandated duties performed by internal audit. It can also be used by other researchers in comparative studies and by practitioners to benchmark their work in order to better serve audit committees and ultimately, the board of directors.

scholarly journals The value and impact of cross professional collaborations in developing student information and academic literacy skills at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Rushton ◽  
Alison Lahlafi
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Academic Literacy ◽  
Academic Skills ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Practice Recommendations ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Student Information

The paper is jointly written by an academic and librarian and discusses the value and impact of two examples of cross professional collaboration at Sheffield Hallam University. The collaborations addressed information and academic literacy skills development of 640 students across four years and involved a librarian, an academic, an academic skills tutor and an e-learning expert. The paper includes analysis on the value and impact of cross-professional collaborations in developing student information literacy (IL) and academic literacy skills. It concludes with discussion of lessons learned and best practice recommendations.

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