Success Factors

What are the key outcomes of the initiative?

The major outcomes of the Learning Matrix project include:

• A cohort of learners who have used the system, and undertaken some learning experience in a setting related to progression to Higher Education, providing a demonstration of the feasibility of facilitating such activity in this way
• A hardware architecture in place with a coherent set of software tools designed to support lifelong learning, together with a demonstration of its utility
• Taken together, a practical demonstration of the potential for a service to unify information about learning opportunities in the region, and support learners through transitional stages in their learning careers
• Stimulation of discussions in institutions about the issues surrounding lifelong learning scenarios and preparing the ground within IT support departments to deal with the resultant challenges
• With respect to the JISC community, a focus in the ioNode technology developments for discussions about interoperability in a practical context, and a user base benefiting from development and improvement of services

The aim of the project was "to enable non-traditional students considering progression to Higher Education to access appropriate learning opportunities from a partnership of FE/HE providers via a standards-based electronic interface" and this has been achieved, as have the objectives. To some degree most of the elements in this complex whole were compromised by the need to operate in the real world of overflowing work schedules and competing interests, but where compromises have been made "placeholders" have been established as a basis for further work.

Because lifelong learning, widening participation and interoperability issues are foci of a national agenda, the Learning Matrix may be of interest and value across a broad spectrum. Lifelong Learning Networks have been funded in many regions included the North West region of England, and they should find it valuable to look at the approach taken in this project. National initiatives like the AimHigher network could also find the HE Taster concept worth considering.

What follow-up activity will be/has been carried out as a result of the project?

Much of the positive benefit from the project will be lost unless ways are found to embed the work as a viable long-term service in the region. To this end, a report has been prepared for partners and relevant organisations in the area detailing what needs to be done to establish a Higher Education taster service delivered through the Learning Matrix technologies. A dissemination event involving all the North West regions pilot projects took place mid 2006 to promote take up of the work done.

The Interoperability Network North West (ioNW2) project built on the Learning Matrix project aiming to imporve interoperability between institutions linked to Lifelong Learning Networks in the Northwest. Further information is available on the project blog and website.