HEFCE Online Learning Task Force

The Online Learning Task Force (OLTF) published its final report 'Collaborate to compete: Seizing the opportunity of online learning for UK higher education' in January 2011.

It concluded that online learning – however blended with on- or off-campus interactions, whether delivered in the UK or overseas – provides real opportunity for UK institutions to develop responsive, engaging and interactive provision which, if offered at scale, can deliver quality and cost-effectiveness while meeting student demands for flexible learning.

The report showcases the work of 16 university and consortia courses in the UK including partnerships between HE institutions and the private sector.

It makes six recommendations to institutions and the wider HE sector. They include:

  • using online learning to enhance student choice
  • realignment training and development
  • developing and exploiting open educational resources.

The OLTF was set up to research and investigate how the UK could maintain and extend its position as a world leader in online learning. It was chaired by Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, and met five times between September 2009 and November 2010.

Other useful information

The task force held a seminar, 'What Next for Online Learning?', at the British Library on 25 June 2010 to discuss emerging findings. The summary below outlines the main points of discussion at the seminar.

Copies of the presentations given on the day are available below:

Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library and Chair of the Online Learning Task Force – What Next for Online Learning?

Download the Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library and Chair of the Online Learning Task Force as MS Powerpoint Presentation (297 KB)

Stuart Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, Open Universities Australia – What next for Online Learning: the Australian Version

Download the Stuart Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, Open Universities Australia as MS Powerpoint Presentation (331 KB)

Roxanne Stockwell, Group Innovation Director, BPP – Introduction to BPP

Download the Roxanne Stockwell, Group Innovation Director, BPP as MS Powerpoint Presentation (1,334 KB)

Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor, Open University – Challenges and Opportunities in Online Learning

Download the Martin Bean, Vice-Chancellor, Open University as PDF (1,208 KB)

The OLTF published an update on progress in March 2010 (available below).

Interim report of the Online Learning Task Force

Download the Interim report of the Online Learning Task Force as PDF (34 KB) | Download the Interim report of the Online Learning Task Force as MS Word (74 KB)

Page last updated 24 October 2011

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