Service‐oriented architecture and curriculum transformation at Manchester Metropolitan University

Abstract

Purpose

The need to establish more flexible and adaptable university curricula has been recognised as a strategic priority in recent years and has been supported by a number of initiatives including the Curriculum Design and Delivery programme funded by the Joint Information System Committee (JISC) in the UK. The challenges of addressing flexibility of curriculum design are both technical and pedagogical. Manchester Metropolitan University has been developing an integrated, institution‐wide virtual learning environment (VLE) since 2006 and this paper seeks to consider the impact of this system.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study is used to illustrate how one institution has developed and integrated a curriculum design system.

Findings

By adopting a streamlined technology strategy the university can provide learners with personalized and flexible access to the university's resources from the range of different devices and contexts (whether mobile, VLE, or social software) in which learners may find themselves as they engage with their education.

Originality/value

A need to establish more flexible and adaptable university curricula is a strategic priority for academic institutions. This case study provides an insight into how one institution is achieving this.

Citation

Stubbs, M. and Range, P. (2011), "Service‐oriented architecture and curriculum transformation at Manchester Metropolitan University", Campus-Wide Information Systems, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 299-304. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650741111162770