How to create opportunities for adults in distance education?
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STATE OF AFFAIRS
approximately 3 million students are enrolled in distance teaching universities in Europe (IDEAL - Distance education offer of European higher education institutions);
29% of the adult population in OECD countries in Europe have completed tertiary education (OECD);
In 15 years an expected increase to 400 million HE students worldwide from today 200 million.
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IDEALhttp://idealproject.eu/
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IDEAL AIMShttp://idealproject.eu/
Offer insights on the needs of adult learners to both policy makers and distance education providers;
Strengthen the social dimension of higher education by better meeting the needs of adult learners;
Increase the participation of adult learners in higher education through distance education.
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IDEAL STUDIEShttp://idealproject.eu/
Study 1: European distance education offer
Study 2: Enrolled distance education students
Study 3: Potential distance education students
Final report with META analysis of the three studies and recommendations. Also includes:
Overview of previous findings; Overview of distance education (historical note, world
scenario, European landscape); Concept clarification.
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DATA SOURCES
Institutional survey
Distance Learning Portal
Prospective students survey
Enrolled student survey
Study choice analytics
Case studies
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DATA SOURCES
DistanceLearningPortal.com
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DEMAND AND OFFER IN DISTANCE EDUCATION
Appli
ed Sci
ences,
Profe
ssion
s & Arts
Busin
ess an
d Econ
omics
Engine
ering
&Techn
ology
Enviro
nment
al Scie
nces
Human
ities&
Art Law
Life Sc
iences
, Med
icine&
Health
Natural
Scien
ces
Social
Scienc
es0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Offer and interest of different disciplines in distance learning
Offer Interest
Source: Upcoming research report
Data based on DistanceLearningPortal.com – 9 million page views and 750,000 log information about student browsing behavior and offered programmes.
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DISTANCE EDUCATION
NEXT 5 YEARS
Source: Distance Education in European Higher Education - The OfferSurvey – 167 leaders of Higher Education institutions
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MOTIVATION TO ENTER DISTANCE EDUCATION
Source: Upcoming research report
Survey – 427 potential students (DistanceLearningPortal.com visitors)
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BARRIERS TO ENTER DISTANCE EDUCATION
Source: Upcoming research report
Survey – 427 potential students (DistanceLearningPortal.com visitors)
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The provision of online education as the main mode of distance education responded to most
adult learners’ requests for more flexible learning opportunities.
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PRESSURE ON HIGHER EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
DEMANDS FROM LEARNERS
INCREASED FLEXIBLITY
POLICIES
DEVELOPMENTS IN PEDAGOGICAL THEORIES
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CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION
POLICY
Finland – no separate open or distance teaching universities
Greece – mentioned with “Education and Lifelong Learning” policy
Hungary – no DE on Master level; no laws mentioning e-learning
UK – laws that indirectly influence DE (QA framework)
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Finland – status of degree student can be obtained after pursuing courses in open university
Germany – highest degree from the school system, or degree from vocational sector; recognition of degree from vocational training
Greece – graduation from secondary education; no systematic procedure for recognition of prior learning or work experience
Hungary – school leaving examination certificate and enough entry points; no alternative admission; no systematic procedure for recognition of prior learning or work experience
UK – “access diplomas” programmes; recognition of credit transfer from equivalent level of study elsewhere; accreditation of (prior) experiential learning
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RECOMMENDATIONS
POLICIES
National higher education policies were not in place but should be developed and implemented.
That could lead to reduced regulative barriers and to developed standard procedures on the recognition of prior learning.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
TECHNOLOGY
Higher education institutions should be advised to better communicate and use new media for providing further access possibilities.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
LEARNERS
Limitations in possibilities for interaction hampered learning and may prevent adult learners to participate in distance education.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
PEDAGOGY
Implement teaching methods appropriate for the needs of adult learners in higher education
Shift towards student-centered teaching modes that support adult learner’s autonomy and self-direction (especially with regards to putting theoretical knowledge into practice)
Continuous teacher support for Distance HE students and empathetic dialogue
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RECOMMENDATIONS
PEDAGOGY
It is highly recommended to improve teaching methods and skills and to embed learning with good study guides, improved possibilities for interaction and support structures meeting the needs of adult learners.
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GET IN TOUCH
Carmen Neghina – Education Intelligence Specialist (StudyPortals) [email protected]
Carl Holmberg - Senior Adviser (International Council for Open and Distance Education)[email protected]