Identifying priorities for research

[Activity 4]

I have identified three priorities:

1. Continuity - there must be a clearly defined progression path, enabling people to take what they have (both in terms of knowledge and qualification and, assuming that we are looking at online education (although the question doesn't specify), and in terms of equipment. Too often the "new big thing" comes along, and there is the feeling that you have to start again.

   This pace of change - updating because we can, rather than because we should - flies in the face of economic good sense. How frequently do some businesses undertake a 'technology refresh'? Although some do so regularly, I know of several large and established organisations that are only just upgrading from Windows XP... because until now, that operating system has met their needs. Individuals and organisations undertaking Open Learning may be doing so because it is a more convenient or cheaper option than conventional campus-based education.

2. Accessibility - this ties in with continuity to some extent. All of the issues around accessibility for those with physical, mental or emotional difficulties must be addressed, but there are also accessibility issues for those with financial or infrastructure difficulties.

   Many people may choose to follow an open education route because they can work at the same time as they study, reducing the cost of obtaining an education further because they are not accruing a financial debt purely to survive. However, the total cost of studying (akin to the total cost of ownership) must be taken into account. It's great to say that open education may well be free at the point of access - sounds bit like the NHS, doesn't it? But in the same way as the NHS, everything isn't totally free - people may have to pay for prescriptions, there are the costs of visiting someone in hospital and - potentially - the cost of child care if the usual carer is the person who is ill. Add to this the cost of accessing open learning resources on a pay-as-you-go dial-up modem connection, and you start to see things aren't as "free" as first thought.

3. Recognition - for those studying while working, and who are perhaps even sponsored by their employers either in terms of money or time to study, this is less of an issue. In this situation, employers may see the change in their employees, perhaps in terms of skills or confidence, or in the quality of their work.

   The difficulty arises when you want to prove your capability and level of education to someone who does not know you. Rightly or wrongly, simply telling someone I have learnt something often isn't enough - there needs to be some way of proving it. This is true if - for example - you are applying for a job or a promotion, or you want previous study to be recognised when registering for courses in a more traditional environment.