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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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H7

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H8

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H9

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H10

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Institution H7

Impact of networked learning on access

The respondents commented on two aspects of access: an increased flexibility of access to learning available to students and widening participation.

Flexible access

Students are indicated as one of the main drivers for development of networked learning. This is recognised by several of the respondents and part of the reason for this was related to the flexibility of access that online learning provides.

... they are aware that students find accessing materials and accessing their peers and tutors… this means it is really quite an essential part of their learning environment now... (H7I3)

... students do seem to like it. It is something they can do at any time, day or night, from home if they have got access so they can actually get on to their module and have a look at it... (H7I5)

Widening participation

Widening participation is an important issue for the institution. It is noted that the online learning environment can provide support for students with disabilities and that the pressure on institutions to do so has come with the new disability legislation:

And at the same time it is helping us enormously with the real big... problem… It is massive. To get what we’ve done compliant with the legislation for disabled students is a major operation... It’s in effect stopped our development for a year whilst we make sure that we’ve got everything [compliant]… what we will do is up to speed on that… And one of the things that I can tell staff is that we can do it online… (H7I2)

The online learning environment thus provides an opportunity to comply with disability legislation and this is further supported by the earlier quote on the impact of online discussions on certain types of student. It is also noted that it can help widening participation by offering opportunities to students who may find traditional forms of delivery difficult to access.

... this was seen as a way of basically helping a very diverse body of students to gain access to learning materials in much more flexible ways... (H7I3)

Questionnaire responses

The questionnaire questions did not consider issues in relation to access.

Summary

There were two main aspects of access considered in this case study. The first one was the benefits that flexible access provided for an increasingly diverse student population. This includes distance education students and students who have to balance work, family and study. The second aspect explored was that technology offers some disabled students easier access to learning materials.