IDEAL- Impact of Distance Education on Adult Learning

The IDEAL project seeks to examine how higher education institutions can and do contribute to adult learning by way of distance education.

The project aims to:

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.

Outcomes

3 online publications on the distance education offer of European higher education institutions and the social profiles of adult learners enrolled in distance education (all in 2014);
1 printed report: “Increasing participation levels of adult learners in higher education through distance education” (2015);
policy and capacity-building seminars to enhance the match between the distance education offer and the needs of adult learners (2015).

Why IDEAL?

Distance education is a fast growing and wide-spread phenomenon. The IDEAL consortium believes distance education, offering flexible learning paths, can contribute significantly to making higher education more accessible to adults. As many adults are unable to participate in on-campus education, distance education offers flexible learning paths that greatly enhance accessibility to higher education. However, its impact on adult learning has not been systematically analysed yet.

The consortium partners are well equipped for the task, combining the vast network and expertise of both ICDE and the renowned UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, together with Studyportals, benefiting from the DistanceLearningportal where target groups of this project meet. To read more about the project, please visit https://idealprojectblog.wordpress.com/

ideal pUBLICATIONS

On this page you will find various documents pertaining to the IDEAL project, such as the IDEAL research methodology, the IDEAL glossary, papers and reports published and any other useful documents open for download.

Please note that the content of these documents does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies with the IDEAL project consortium.

Featured

This report examines the distance education offer of European higher education institutions and identifies the intended target groups, in particular, adult learners. The report looks at the availability of distance education in European higher education, its geographic spread, as well as the number and types of programmes offered by HEIs, the number of enrolments in individual courses, and the institutional motivation for offering distance education courses. In addition, the report also addresses institutional strategies in distance education, describes their main target groups, the type of student support offered and discusses the future expectations of distance education institutions.

The present report looks at students in distance education in Europe and sets out to better understand the profile of the current student body in distance education (employment situation, age, gender, previous and current education), as well as their motivations of students to consider distance education, the main barriers to accessing distance education and the support adult learners receive during their studies.

The present report looks at potential distance education students, and uses a triangulation technique to identify the social profile of the learners interested in distance education, as well as their motivations and barriers to accessing distance education. The extended version also includes five case studies focusing on: Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and United Kingdom.

Short Version

The IDEAL report on Finland was written by Nina Haltia and gives a short overview of the history of distance teaching in Finnish higher education institutions, followed by a description of the position of adults within Finnish higher education institutions and higher education policy. Last, the report summarizes the results of previous studies showing what is currently known about the motives, needs and difficulties of adult learners in Finnish higher education.

The IDEAL report on Germany was written by Joachim Stöter and Carl von Ossietzky from the University of Oldenburg. The case study examines the situation of distance education and distance learning in Germany. It is based on a review of empirical data presented by European and national institutions and authorities, an analysis of national and regional policy documents, and a review of the literature on the characteristics, needs and expectations of students who are interested or enrolled in online study programmes.

The IDEAL report on Greece was written by Anikó Kálmán, Éva Cseszka, Maria Kocsis Baán and Fodorné Tóth Krisztina. The case study examines the situation of distance education and distance learning in Hungary, and takes a look at the number of e-learning courses offered by higher education institutions, student participation in distance and part-time learning. The case study also examines the social background, composition and characteristics of learners participating in distance education, and offers insights into prospective distance education students in Hungary.

The IDEAL report on Greece was written by John Rose-Adams and John Butcher. The case study examines the situation of distance education and distance learning in the United Kingdom, and gives an overview of distance education by region, as well as a description of the barriers and enabling factors for adult learners, and a synthesis describing the potential for distance education in the future of UK higher education.

The IDEAL Glossary gives an overview of definitions used for the purpose of the IDEAL study, such as distance education, blended learning, etc

IDEAL research methodology explains how the IDEAL project will address its research question “how higher education institutions can and do contribute to adult learning by way of distance education“.

IDEAL NEWS RELATED ITEMS

Featured

What is the global demand for online education?

As the demand for online education grows at a rapid pace, universities are trying to work out how to participate in this trend.

Webinar: Adults in Higher Education

The webinar will be hosted by Carl Holmberg – a long-time advocate of adults and distance education from ICDE, and Carmen Neghina – the data and intelligence specialist from StudyPortals .

‘Distance education in European higher education – the offer’ report is now available

The IDEAL project has launched the first of three study reports on the impact of distance education on adult learning.

New Research On Adult Learners In European Higher Education

A new report on adult learners in higher education shows that courses offered at a distance are liberating and a crucial route to new qualifications.

Distance education and adult learning - an obvious match?

European higher education institutions use distance and online teaching to varying degrees in their offer to adult learners. ICDE, in partnership with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and StudyPortals, is now investigating the impact that distance education has made, and the potential it offers to improve access to learning for European adult learners.

The current situation for online adult learning in higher education

It is estimated that at least 2 million students are enrolled in distance teaching universities in Europe.

Flexible adult learning - the opportunities for higher education

A recent study has shown that there is considerable potential for the greater integration of flexible adult learning in higher education.

Presentation on adults and distance learning - the potential for higher education

If you missed the webinar on adults and distance learning organized by ICDE and partners recently, you can watch browse the presentation online.

IDEAL- Impact of Distance Education on Adult Learning

The IDEAL project seeks to examine how higher education institutions can and do contribute to adult learning by way of distance education.

What is the global demand for online education?

As the demand for online education grows at a rapid pace, universities are trying to work out how to participate in this trend. Data from DistanceLearningPortal.com based on two million visits to the website during 2013 now reveals some of the hard facts regarding demand for online education.

Knowledge Hub, ICDE Projects, ICDE PublicationsCaroline Seville26 June 2015Lifelong Learning, Report, IDEAL News