Encouraging research into on-line learning and assessment

The Scottish Centre for Research into On-Line learning and Assessment (SCROLLA) is part of a Scottish initiative intended to catalyse strategic change within universities. The paper outlines the history of this initiative and provides some of the background that indicated the need for SCROLLA. The focus of the centre is described, along with some of the approaches that are being used to encourage research into on-line learning and assessment. The paper closes with indicators of the potential barriers to this kind of development and pointers to how the centre is establishing a vision for the future. At the conference, an invited panel will share their experiences from related initiatives in other countries. This will lead onto an interactive debate that will discuss the implications of the SCROLLA experience for encouraging research that feeds into teaching and learning practice.