Roadmapping for education
Roadmapping refers to organisational planning. However, the term is used inconsistently, and both industrial and policy applications lack standard methodologies. The EU-funded 'Dynamic roadmapping with application for education and training' (DYRECT) project aimed to address the current roadmapping shortcomings. Over two years to the end of 2012, the innovative research programme covered three aspects. The first was to introduce and investigate 'dynamic roadmapping' as a continuous knowledge-creation process. The second was to provide a framework for developing an alert system for analysing global trends and weak signals in terms of roadmapping. Finally, the project would provide a model allowing interoperability between the roadmaps of different communities. The research was focused on TEL. DYRECT achieved all of its deliverables on schedule, including all three critical project objectives. Project efforts included helping to organise the Learning Futures and Innovation event and liaising with other projects. The Dynamic Roadmapping methodology was piloted, as was the DYRECT Observatory function in the context of education. Major contributions were thus made to the higher education cluster. Furthermore, a map was developed that integrates European TEL areas. The map was presented at numerous conferences and other gatherings. Project work comprised significant contributions to the broader EU TEL field, including support for the TEL community and increased awareness of the concept of roadmapping. Activities also helped achieve sustainabilities. For example, DYRECT is encouraging communities to engage in their own continuous roadmapping in clusters. Groups include the Schools Cluster and Higher Education Cluster. DYRECT supported the development of tools applicable to schools and living communities, and helped such organisations to develop their own roadmaps. Furthermore, the project supported the Open Discovery Space roadmap, and initiated the first steps towards a Europe-wide action plan. Overall, the project has supported the European TEL community with the introduction of a new Dynamic Roadmapping framework.
Keywords
Roadmapping, technology-enhanced learning, higher education, roadmapping framework
