Outcomes and Consequences

Consultation with the sector has confirmed that in the context of Scottish HE, flexible delivery:

• encourages learner-centred approaches and choices, promotes learner autonomy and independent learning;

• helps to develop metacognition and deep learning;

• encourages active engagement of learners in the process of learning and its outcomes;

• enhances the development of employability skills, particularly in information management, e-literacy, resource-based and discovery learning;

• helps to improve retention and progression;

• promotes peer and practitioner collaboration;

• improves productivity and the efficient use of organisational resources; and

• opens new markets for institutions.

Major development initiatives are concerned with understanding and developing effective practice in e-learning, including the implementation of e-learning in conjunction with established practice to maximise the benefits of flexible delivery to learners, academic staff and institutions. These include the work of the JISC e-Learning and Pedagogy strand on effective and innovative practice in e-learning and learning design.

Work on PDP processes and the use of e-portfolios is an important development focus. This includes a reference model of e-portfolio for lifelong learning which seeks to identify the key generic institutions services with which e-portfolios will interact. Distributed e-Learning Tools projects are developing applications of e-portfolio systems in institutional, departmental and subject contexts.

Active engagement of learners and the development of metacognition are an important focus of much of the JISC Resource Discovery Network developments.

The MLEs for Lifelong Learning programme developed insights and approaches to widening participation and promoting inclusion, improving retention and progress, and promoting effective peer and practitioner collaboration in support of learner progression and employability.