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Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Context

3 Methodology

4 - 9 Findings, Analysis and Discussion

10 Summary of Findings

11 Discussion of Findings

12 References

13 Case Studies

Acknowledgments & Partners

 

Case Study Map 
 

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Institution H5

10 Impact of networked learning on access

This university clearly places emphasis on widening participation and providing access. The interview respondents focused on two main areas: flexible access for students with disabilities and widening participation.

Flexible access

Discussion of this issue did not feature strongly in the discussions with respondents. However, two respondents did refer to access in the context of disabled students.

… we certainly spent time here talking to staff about the technology could be used to support students who perhaps had more limited mobility… (H5I3)

So in a way the changing technology has made us rethink what is already an existing problem but it has actually changed the nature of the problem, … we deal with students who have learning or physical problems so maybe they have cited the fact that they haven’t been able to get access to the PC or to the network in order to complete a piece of coursework or an assignment. (H5I1/6)

Widening participation

As noted above, the university has a stated commitment to widening participation and in particular to encouraging the non traditional student. Some of the ways in which this is being enabled by networked learning were referred to by two of the respondents; links with remote community groups via outreach centres and schools, and ethnic minority groups were mentioned.

… we do have a community access programme …Now having a group like that within the department and the close links and we’ve had various mechanisms within the department for discussion of research interests and the kind of activities that has been participation for particularly ethnic minorities and they are certainly using the technology to support the community groupings.…and occasionally the leader of the…Community Access Group, occasionally the coordinator contacts me about various programmes that she’s setting up and they have the local outreach centres that they work with and provide support to. Places like [name] where there are asylum centres in this area, they run a lot of different courses for women of ethnic minority who haven’t been educated and it’s partly trying to think about them, bringing them in as a new route to these programmes. (H5I3)

Summary

Flexible access did not feature strongly in the discussions, but there were references to access in the context of disabled students. In addition, networked learning is enabling widening participation through, for example, links with remote community groups via outreach centres and schools, and ethnic minority groups.