Study Programmes were introduced in 2013 so that every post-16 provider could offer their learners coherent study programmes with breadth and depth, enabling learners to progress successfully to employment, apprenticeships, or higher education. Study programmes should include: at least one substantial qualification; English and mathematics for…

This paper presents an innovative approach to e-learning by exploring a number of initiatives where there is a move towards collaborative use of Personal Development Plans (PDPs) integrated with e-portfolios as mechanisms for delivering such plans. It considers whether such a move towards more product orientated assessment might enhance student…

A review of international developments in gifted education describes programs and trends in the U.S., Canada, Eastern and Western Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Included are descriptions of extracurricula centers in South Africa and increased use of independent study and mentors in the U.S. (CL)

Designed to raise awareness of the implications of cable television and satellites for the Open University, this paper indicates why cable television developments will affect the university and the wide range of university people and departments who will be affected by such developments. Four main issues that the university will have to deal with…

This newsletter issue is about the growth of programs that serve infants, toddlers, and their families, and the management of that growth. The articles address early intervention programs with infants and young children with disabilities. The first article, "Implementing a Multi-site, Multidisciplinary Clinical Trial: The Infant Health and…

This guide to rural learning is intended to help those developing learning opportunities in the United Kingdom countryside--teachers, program organizers, project and development workers, and health and housing workers. Section 1 supplies up-to-date facts and figures and useful information about living in the rural context. It highlights issues…

The Public Libraries and Adult Independent Learners (PLAIL) Project was conducted in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain to identify the following: needs of adult independent learners; services required to meet those needs; extent to which those services rely on existing and new technology; and skills and competencies required to provide the…

This document reports on five research and development projects that were funded in 1996-1997 by the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) to promote innovation in workers' education in Britain. The five projects and their major activities and/or outcomes were as follows: (1) The Learning Outcomes Strategy Project (monitored and refined a common…

This document presents practical advice to help managers of adult learning projects in communities across the United Kingdom manage their community projects for change. The following topics are discussed in sections 1-12: (1) the benefits of adult learning projects; (2) characteristics of adult learning projects and quality assurance mechanisms;…

This document reviews the 10-year history of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), which is an intergovernmental organization that was created by Commonwealth of Nations heads of government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources, and technologies. The following are among the topics…

To address the skills shortages stemming from the transition to a more technological and skills-intensive economy, Congress established a program whereby funds from H-1B visa fees would provide seed funds for private companies, labor, and government to join together in creating training alliances focused on skills in short supply. Unfortunately,…

This document contains 13 papers on the policies, politics, and future of lifelong learning in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. The following papers are included: "An International and Historical Context for Recent Policy Approaches to Lifelong Learning in the UK" (Ann Hodgson); "The Vocational Training Policy of the European…

This document contains 8 plenary papers and 15 workshop presentations from a conference on development continuing professional development (CPD) and continuing vocational education (CVE) in United Kingdom and Europe. The following papers are included: "How CPD Adds Value to Professional Personnel and Development Activity" (Judy…

This document is the course book of an accredited 3-day professional development course for qualified basic skills tutors in the United Kingdom who are interested in working in workplace settings. The course materials are organized into 17 sections grouped into 4 units as follows: (1) general concepts of workplace language, literacy, and numeracy…

This book contains 19 papers examining innovation in open and distance learning through development of online and World Wide Web-based learning. The following papers are included: "Innovation in Distributed Learning: Creating the Environment" (Fred Lockwood); "Innovation in Open and Distance Learning: Some Lessons from Experience…