Methodology

Step by Step

The study will:

1. Review the literature to identify (i) the barriers, enablers and benefits of integrating formal and informal learning using e-tools in the HE context, and (ii) examples of such integration from international research and practice.

2. Carry out interviews and focus groups, involving:

- two subject areas (social work and engineering)

- two different institutions (pre-1992: University of Strathclyde; post-1992: Glasgow Caledonian University)

- focus groups involving 40 third-year students in these disciplines at each of these two Universities (10 students from each discipline and University, i.e. 8 focus groups of 5 students each)

- Interviews with 20 staff, particularly teachers, managers and support staff in disciplines of social work and engineering at the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian. Interviews will be a mixture of face-to-face and telephone/videoconferencing as appropriate.

3. Based on the literature review, interviews and focus groups, deliverables include (i) a typology of barriers and drivers to integration of formal and informal learning using e-tools; (ii) case studies illustrating how to integrate formal and informal learning using e-tools; (iii) policy guidelines and recommendations.

(view Deliverables page)

This project is funded by The Higher Education Academy (HEA) under its Innovations in the Curriculum and Student Support research theme.

Learning from Digital Natives Project email: ldn@gcal.ac.uk