Open, Flexible and Distance Learning in National Qualifications (OFDL) Project
What is this?
OFDL is a Learning and Teaching Scotland managed project which developed a range of learning and teaching resources to support National Qualifications core skills units. The resources included some paper-based titles along with electronic text and interactive web-enabled versions. The materials were made available to every school and further education college in Scotland via the NQ Online resource. A link to this is available at the bottom of this page.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT support was provided to develop resources at a range of levels in the five National Qualifications core skills - communication, numeracy, problem solving, IT and working with others - and to develop links with the SCHOLAR Forum. FLaT supported the development of electronic text and interactive web-enabled resources in a further 14 units in order to complete the suite of core skills resources from Higher through to Access 3.
Links with National Priorities?
1. Achievement & Attainment
2. Framework for Learning
5. Learning for Life.
Project aims?
To improve the support for core skills and hence support a number of key national initiatives including the National Priorities, the national statements for numeracy and literacy, enterprise in education, education for citizenship and lifelong learning
To complete the provision of the suite of electronic and interactive web-enabled resources for core skills from Higher through to Access 3, hence offering learners a cohesive progression route using flexible learning approaches
To provide further supplementary guidance for teachers and lecturers related to flexible learning provision.
Project outcomes?
Increased attainment and achievement.
Increased opportunities for lifelong learning.
Provided a greater range of high quality learning and teaching resources in core skills.
Improved preparation for further/higher education and employment environments.
Timescale?
The project was started in 2001 and was completed in March 2004.
Writers were contracted to develop support materials for the remaining core skills units in text and web-enabled interactive format. By March 2004 support materials for the following units were developed:
Communication (Access 3 and Intermediate 1)
Numeracy (Access 3 and Intermediate 1)
Problem Solving (Access 3 and Intermediate 1)
Information Technology (Access 3 and Intermediate 1)
Working with Others (all levels from Access to Higher)
These were disseminated along with the existing support materials and completed the provision of the suite of support materials for the National Qualifications core skills at all levels from Access 3 to Higher. Material was made available online throughout the year, as it was developed. Formative feedback from schools and colleges was encouraged.
Level of Support?
FLaT support was a grant of £150,000 plus evaluation costs.
Who are the evaluation team?
To be agreed.
Contact
In February 2003 David Bethune was appointed as Development Officer for this project. He can be contacted on tel 0141 332 5000 or 07973 381 639.