Electronic support for student placements: part 1 - context

Addresses a project which aims to improve the management and assessment of student placements by providing electronic support based on a business process design of the placement process. Seeks to provide the overall aims of the project and the deliverables it is tasked to achieve. The project is funded by HEFCE as part of their initiative to promote good practice in teaching and learning within higher education. A second article will follow as the project reaches its conclusion. To aid the effective management of placement activity, the project captured and mapped all the activities undertaken within the placement unit at Huddersfield University and focused on activities identified as being required and designed the tasks and inter-relations to achieve these. The project also seeks to provide support to students on placement through the Internet. This will allow communication within the student group as well as with staff at the university.