'Institutional Planning for Flexible and Distance Learning ...

‘Institutional Planning for Flexibleand Distance Learning -Contextualisation andImplementation’Ann Stokes, Richard Thorn andMark Glynn,Institutes of Technology Ireland, Dublin

Layout Lifelong Learning and the European Union Lifelong Learning and Ireland The Institutes of Technology and Lifelong Learning Is it Working? Conclusions2

Lifelong Learning and the European Union Growing interest in LLL in EU since early 1990’s White papers in 1994 and 1995 Community Action Programmes By 2000’s LLL had become an organising theme Lisbon Strategy3

The 2000’s in the EU Lisbon Strategy The Memorandum on Lifelong Learning Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality Education and Training Work Programme 20104

The Targets for 2010 The share of low achieving 15 year olds in reading shoulddecrease by at least 20% The average rate of early school leavers should be nomore than 10% At least 85% of 22 year olds should complete uppersecondary education The total number of graduates in maths, science andtechnology should increase by at least 15%, while thegender imbalance in these subjects should be reduced The average participation of working adults, population inlifelong learning (age group 25-64) should reach at least12.5%5

ProgressPercentage of population aged 25-64 participating in education and trainingin the four weeks prior to the survey, 2000-20066

Education and Training 2020 – Strategic Objectives Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality Improving the quality and efficiency of education andtraining Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship Enhancing creativity and innovation, includingentrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training New targets!7

EU Lifelong Learning Instruments and Bologna Process ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) BMD (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) Diploma Supplement (part of EUROPASS) The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) EUROPASS The European Credit System for Vocational Educationand Training (ECVET) European Quality Assurance Framework forVocational Education and Training (EQARF)8

Where Does EU Policy on Lifelong Learning Stand? Lack of workable and agreed strategies for implementation Lack of equitable financing system Underestimated resistance to change among mainstakeholders in traditional education More effective national initiatives Inadequate use of learning competences as a learningmethodology Implementing lll remains a challenge9

Lifelong Learning and Ireland 1995 – White Paper – Charting our Education Future 1998 – Green Paper - Adult Education in an Era of LifelongLearning 2000 – White Paper – Learning for Life 2007 – National Skills Strategy 2008 – National Plan for Equity of Access to HigherEducation 2008-2013 20% of full time and 27% of total students to be mature by 2013 17% of students to be studying part-time/flexibly 30% of students to enter by non-standard entry routes10

Key Actions National Access Office Strategic Innovation Fund Back to Education Allowance Labour Market Activation Initiatives National Framework for Qualifications11

Why is it so Important in Ireland?Long Term Skills Imbalances12

Why is it so Important in Ireland?c. 4% unemployment in 2006 to c.14% in mid-201013

Why is it so Important in IrelandPercentage of population aged 25-64 participating in education and trainingin the four weeks prior to the survey, 2000-200614

Key Actions National Access Office Strategic Innovation Fund Back to Education Allowance National Framework for Qualifications Labour Market Activation initiatives15

Performance16

What are the Gaps? Funding Participation levels Flexibility Progression Recognition of Prior Learning Legislation17

The Institutes of Technology and Lifelong Learning 1970’s to 1980’s 1990’s 'The principal function of a college shall, subject to the provisionsof this Act, be to provide vocational and technical education andtraining for the economic, technological, scientific, commercial,industrial, social and cultural development of the State withparticular reference to the region served by the college...'18

The Institutes of Technology and Lifelong Learning –the ‘Noughties2003 – The ‘Fottrell’ report2004 – OECD review of higher education2004 – Ahead of the Curve – Enterprise Strategy Groupreport2006 – Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation2007 – National skills strategy19

The Institutes of Technology and Lifelong Learning –the ‘NoughtiesA ‘Mission Statement’Career focused educationPromotion of equality of access, transfer andprogressionRecognise and give credit for priorPromotion of a research ethos aligned with thedevelopment of a national innovationIntegration of research and teachingDevelopment of learning communitiesGraduates characteristics20

From Strategic Intent to ActionStrategic Innovation FundEducation in EmploymentSupported Flexible LearningSupported Flexible Learningwww.BlueBrick.ieCapacity building in each IoTCentral supportsPerformance measurement system21

www.BlueBrick.ie22

Capacity Building in Each Institute Staff training and development Modification of internal business processes Promotion of the activity internally and externally Increased efforts to grow student registrations on parttime and flexibly delivered courses.23

Capacity Building in Each Institute24

Is it Working?The Number of Part Time Higher Education Students Expressed as aPercentage Change Between 2005/2006 and 2008/20092008/2009 2007/2008 2006/2007 2005/2006 % ChangeFull-Part-Full-Part-Full-Part-Full-Part-Full-Parttimtimtimtimtimtimtimtimtimtime54,464 15,025 51,572 15,909 52,842 14,544 52,229 15,200 4% -1%78% 22% 76% 24% 78% 22% 77% 23%25

Number of AwardsCumulative Special Purpose Awards fromall IoT's 2007-09 (July' 09) (excepting DIT)7060504030201002007 2008 2009Level 6 34 45 62Level 7 7 8 12Level 8 0 1 10Level 9 1 1 1Is it Working?26

Number of AwardsCumulative Minor Awards from all IoT's2007-09(July '09) (excepting DIT)25201510502007 2008 2009Level 6 8 16 21Level 7 1 1 2Level 8 1 2 19Level 9 1 3 3Is it Working?27

Is it Working?The number of educational offerings onwww.BlueBrick.ie At time of launch -260 – currently - >400Number of staff trained in flexible deliverymethods in the institutions in the system (For 2009 only) 1200 person days of training28

ConclusionsEU PolicyLifelong Learning in IrelandStrategic Intent to ActionIs it Working?29

‘From Fixed to Flexible Learning –Measuring System Change in Irish Higher Education'‘When you can measure what you are speakingabout, and express it in numbers, you know somethingabout it ... (otherwise) your knowledge is of a meagre andunsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning ofknowledge, but you have scarcely in thought advanced tothe stage of science’. (Lord Kelvin, (1824-1907)30

Thank You and Questions31