JISC

Digital technologies can support access to learning for students who might otherwise experience significant barriers, particularly of time and place. For example, mobile technologies can help learners keep in touch with their courses and fit learning into their lives Upwardly Mobile CD-ROM; Melas project. Podcasts can be used to catch up with missed lectures or review lecture materials at students’ own pace (MacFob). Assistive technologies provide access to learning for students with a range of disabilities (Techdis key topics). 

Podcast: Mobile education is the way of the future (Duration 5:44)

Download the podcast

The UK academic network (JANET), which is managed by the JISC, was one of the first in the world and remains one of the fastest. However, students are increasingly using private and public, regional and local as well as institutional networks to access learning.

I didn’t really know how to use the online journals… now I can use them confidently

Student, STROLL project

Homes, workplaces and community centres have the potential to become hubs for lifelong learning, and this potential is being exploited through developments such as the cross-institutional e-learning projects for lifelong learning. The Distributed e-Learning programme marked a shift of focus towards regional networks, and with growing evidence that the poorest students tend to study closer to home, JISC’s regional networks, projects and support centres are helping more students to make the transition into college and university.