The Department of eLearning

The Department of eLearning (DeL) at The Robert Gordon University was established in 2002 to provide a centre of excellence focussed on the development, delivery and support of RGU’s e-enabled learning environments. Principally, DeL is responsible for the RGU: Virtual Campus – a one-stop shop for the delivery of on-line learning both to on-campus and distance-learning students. The first version of the Virtual Campus was developed in 1999 to deliver on-line learning at a distance; this was complemented by the iNet, which provided online support to on-campus students.

In September 2005, DeL launched the new merged version of the Virtual Campus. Not only does the Campus provide on-line courses for distance-learners, it also provides support materials for the entire RGU on-campus student population.

In June 2006, the decision was made to redevlop the RGU: Virtual Campus using Moodle, and DeL will play a pivotal role in leading the development and University-wide implementation of the new VLE.

Through the Virtual Campus, DeL aims to:

• provide flexible, innovative and high-quality e-enabled teaching and learning experiences to staff and students both on and off campus; and


• encourage lifelong learning and continuing professional development through easily accessible online courses.

New: Department for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA)

To reflect the now integral role of e-learning technology in the enhancement of learning and teaching, and the close links the Department of eLearning has with the University’s Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), a new merged ‘Department for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching and Assessment’ (DELTA) will shortly be created.

The primary focus of the department will be to promote and support enhancement, innovation and technology in learning, teaching and assessment in accordance with the University’s Teaching and Learning Strategy based on sound pedagogy and informed through national and international best practice.

The Department will play an integral role in supporting not only the enhancement of academic practice across the University through the provision of support for staff undertaking research and staff development and training, but also take forward the enhancement of technology-assisted learning and teaching through the continued development, delivery and support of the RGU: Virtual Campus, the application and support of learning technologies, and the provision of educational media services.

Last updated 15 March 2007 (l.barron@rgu.ac.uk)