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In
1999, the United Kingdom Education and Research Networking
Association (UKERNA) was commissioned by the Higher
Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the Further
Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW) to
undertake a detailed study covering the use and potential uses
of videoconferencing across the Higher and Further education
sectors in Wales. UKERNA recommended the establishment of a
Welsh Video Network (WVN) and during the year 2000 the WVN
service was commissioned by the Funding Councils supported by
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding.
There have been two independent studies of the WVN,
'Review of the Video Services Network' (2005) and 'Welsh Video
Network Looking to the Future' (2007).
'Welsh
Video Network Looking to the Future' (2007)
In December 2006 the National Foundation for Education Research
(NFER) was commissioned to prepare a report based on up-to-date
data collected from further and higher education institutions in
Wales
about the current and potential future use of videoconferencing.
This research was commissioned by UKERNA, at the request of
HEFCW and the Department for Education, Lifelong learning and
Skills (DELLS) of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). NFER
delivered their report early in 2007.
NFER
used face-to-face interviews and focus groups to collect data,
along with an email survey.
NFER
draw a number of conclusions, including that:
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The
studio equipment should be updated, with the studios being
retained and additional functionality being added.
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Videoconferencing
was beginning to develop as a means of providing courses
through the medium of Welsh.
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The
role of the WVN Support Centre was central to the smooth
running of videoconferencing in Wales.
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The
work of the teaching and learning advisors, although at an
early stage, was having an impact by raising its profile and
developing staff capacity.
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The
use of videoconferencing was developing where senior
managers were committed to its development.
The
report ‘Welsh Video
Network Looking to the Future’ is available for download
in Adobe® Acrobat® pdf format by clicking on the name of the
report.
'Review
of the Video Services Network' (2005)
Five
years after the commissioning of the WVN project, at the beginning of 2005, HEFCW
and Education and Learning Wales (ELWa) commissioned NFER to carry out an
independent evaluative
review of the WVN. In May 2005 NFER delivered their final
report to the Funding Councils.
NFER
convened focus groups, carried out face-to-face interviews and
e-mail surveys to gather the views of representatives from the
Higher and Further education sectors throughout Wales. In their
report, NFER identify the key benefits of WVN and also the main
factors that led to the current usage pattern.
NFER conclude that:
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The WVN facilitated meetings very effectively and
had the potential to impact further on teaching and learning.
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The use of WVN has confirmed the anticipated
demand for the technology.
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The compatibility of all its studios underpinned
the success of the WVN.
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The move to IP video conferencing would continue
to offer cost savings for institutions.
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The establishment of a WVN Support Centre managed
by UKERNA had been crucial in ensuring the robustness of the
network.
The report, ‘A
Review of the Video Services Network’, is available for
download in Adobe® Acrobat® pdf format by clicking on the name
of the report.
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