7 Responses

1. Open Learning a Huge Area
   The Open Learning area Kay is huge with a multitude of options and your question being very general makes it difficult to advise you appropriately. What type of OL are you thinking of? Is it outsourced to a university or private sector provider? Is it through flexible delivery in-house; delivered by Internet, mixed mode (blended), or something else.

   If you wish to email me with details, I’ll be happy to help.

2. Huge topic!
   Hi Kay
   Open Learning is such a vast subject it is difficult to answer your questions without more specifics. We’ve done some work on Open Learning ROI within an organisation which may be useful to you.
   Feel free to contact me if you want to go into more detail.
   Regards
   Lis

3. BAOL
   Try the British Association of Open Learning. As a company engaged in blended learning for senior managers we’re members of this and there is a huge amount of resource there for members (as well as lots of members with specific expertise and experience)
   British Association for Open Learning
   Suite 12, Pixmore Centre, Pixmore Avenue,
   Letchworth, Herts, SG6 1JG
   Tel: +44 (0) 1462 485588 Fax: +44 (0) 1462 485633
   Email: [email protected] http://www.baol.co.uk

   Can’t give you much more than that!!!

   Clive Hook
   Clearworth – a class apart
   http://www.clearworth.com

4. Open Learning More Specifics
   Hi,

   Thanks for your comments, the detail I require is more about the advantages/disadvantages for learners and Companies. I need to do a report on this, explaining in detail the resources needed, problems with implementation and possible funding for such a type of interventaion.

   Thanks again

   Kay

5. Open learning
   Hi Kay
   My name is Damien O’Leary and I have worked with Open and Flexible Learning since 1984. I was with Manchester Open Learning and The Open College.
   Advantages of OL are that it is flexible, can be used to suit learner,s level, speed of uptake, learners choose when and where to study etc.
   OL can be very cost effective when compared to more traditional approaches. I can give you examples.
   Disadvantages are that it can be a lonely task,( no one to talk to etc). Unless it is text based learners may not always have access to hardware.
   At Open College we had a genuine 84%+ completion rate on supervisory and management programmes. We found the key to it was that learners needed a structured programme with good tutorial support and contact.
   If you would like more information and case studies please feel free to contact me on 01925-225135 or at [email protected]
   Good luck
   Damien

6. Setting Up Open & Flexible Learning
   Dear Kay
   To add to Damien’s comments, which I find rather comprehensive, for a Company to set up it’s own Open & Flexible Learning resource has recently become much more affordable and simple.
   You’ll find that there are several e-learning companies offering a total solution, whereby the technological implementation, the learning content, and the support are inclusive in their service.

   The advantages, from our own experience at iLearn.To, are that companies need not spend time and money buying and installing new softwares. No need for extra staff to conduct technical integrations. Companies can then save time to deliver instant training to their staff, over the Internet or via intranets.
   Training managers’ time will also be freed to carry out more proactive corporate training strategies, and leaving the assessment and evaluation of staff performance to the learning management system.
   If you need to get some case studies or wish to further this discussion, please contact me on [email protected] or 020 8880 4910.

7. Free guides
   Hi Kay

   A good starter is a free guide from DES called “Learning Centres: A guide, making it happen”, If you email your postal address I can send you a copy

   Steve Cousins
   020 7791 3000
   [email protected]