This paper reflects a collaborative effort between the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the JISC Innovation Support Centres, CETIS and UKOLN. The research underpinning the report makes use of the NMC's Delphi-based process for bringing groups of experts to a consensus viewpoint, in this case around the impact of emerging technologies on teaching,…

Scrutinizes meanings of collaboration in a British government report on postcompulsory education (Kennedy Report). Finds that collaboration can have the effect of restricting the breadth of curriculum and limiting the form and mode of course delivery; it has not necessarily helped widen participation in Postsecondary education. (Contains 14…

The Open College Federation of the North West was initiated in 1975 as a result of an agreement between the University of Lancaster, Nelson and Colne Tertiary College, and the Lancashire Polytechnic. Its aims were to prepare adults for entry into higher education, create a range of intermediate-level courses for adults that were academic but that…

This document is the second in a series of four volumes presented under the title of "Learning Opportunities for Adults." Included in this volume are eight special studies which were commissioned to investigate the needs related to the national development of adult education. These needs are summarized as follows: the introduction of new…

The United Kingdom's Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in September 1994 to provide young people in the United Kingdom with a route to achieving the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at Level 3 or above, including a progression into higher education. The pilot implementation of Modern Apprenticeships involved 2,400 teenagers and…

A project evaluated the quality assurance (QA) processes put in place by the English National Board from 1998. The Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) represented a shift of emphasis in audit activity from approval/validation of programs to continuous annual monitoring and review. The evaluation used a mixture of methods, including survey and case…

A study examined the practical issues involved in providing continuity/progression for students who had undertaken General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) programs at key stage 4 of the British National Curriculum, and who were moving on to further study in post-16 colleges. Data were…

This document is designed to introduce practitioners in the United Kingdom's learning and skills sector to the principles and practice of benchmarking. The first section defines benchmarking and differentiates metric, diagnostic, and process benchmarking. The remainder of the booklet details the following steps of the benchmarking process: (1) get…

Modern Apprenticeships, which were introduced in 1994, allow young people in the United Kingdom who do not want to commit to full-time further education the chance to achieve a National Vocational Qualification in their field while continuing in employment. The different models for delivery of Modern Apprenticeships that have been developed in…

This combination literature review and annotated bibliography includes a summary of findings related to the following topics: the barriers to education and training faced by selected groups (women, ethnic minorities, refugees, individuals with special needs, individuals lacking basic skills, and exoffenders); innovations in open learning (open and…

This document presents guidelines for engaging employers in work-based learning programs offered by post-16 institutions in the United Kingdom. Chapter 1 explains why the guidelines are needed, how they were developed, and how they can be used. The following are among the topics examined in Chapters 2-6: (1) getting employers involved (benefits of…

This collection contains four surveys and studies examining cooperation between the media and adult education bodies throughout the world. In a paper entitled "The Media and Adult Education: Indian Experience," J. S. Yadava examines two case studies of sound and six case studies of television broadcasting in India that involve…

This document, which is designed for further education (FE) college managers and program teams throughout the United Kingdom (UK), provides guidance for conducting the following activities: incorporating new European Union (EU) policies/programs into FE college curricula; ensuring maximum access to the full range of European curriculum activities…

Curriculum analysis of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting (ENB) critical care programs ENB 100, 124, 176/183, 199, and 415 revealed great diversity in programs bearing the same title. An evaluation identified if this diversity was reflected in the competencies acquired by students on different programs,…

This document presents a record of the content covered at a 2-day research forum on linking research, policy, and practice in vocational education and training (VET) and on school-to-work transitions in Australia. The first half of the document contains the following materials from and about day 1 of the forum: an executive summary; a list of key…