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Open learning materials and learning centres

The development of the University for Industry and the National Grid for Learning has focused attention on the availability of open learning materials and their use in learning centres. This report is based on an investigation into the national stock of open learning products and a review of a wide variety of learning centres. It was undertaken on behalf of the DfEE during 1998.

A wide range of individuals and organisations contributed to identify the nature and availability of open learning materials. The market for published materials was considered and analysed to reveal several sub-markets with limited flows of information between them. In many ways they operate as independent markets. Although there is a substantial stock of materials the balance is skewed with some subjects having hundreds or even thousands of titles while others have relatively few. This imbalance is largely the result of the commercial nature of the market. Most products are paper-based, reflecting their development over the last two decades. Computer-based materials are becoming more widely available but currently represent only a small part of the market.

A wide range of learning centres was visited, either within companies or in community locations, colleges or universities, and factors in their success identified. The importance of learning support is highlighted and the potential for information and communication technologies to add value to existing approaches identified.

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