Primary and Early Years > Interest > Community

FE23: Evaluating ICT in improving participation and progression with "hard to reach" learners
Author: Alan Skinner Crook Community Learning Centre
Date: 2005

Summary

In view of the fact that many people returning to learning are put off by the thought of exams or assessments, Alan developed non-accredited courses called "computing for the terrified" and another, aimed more at men, called "Introduction to Digital Imagery". Both courses were well attended, and many learners, having initially stated that they did not want to do any accredited courses or feel under pressure, subsequently enrolled on accredited courses. However, both courses were mainly attended by women.

Alan concludes that although non-accredited courses do not currently attract government funding, they are a vital first step in getting hard to reach learners back into education and on to accredited courses. He argues that ICT provides suitable incentive and flexibility for such courses.

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