Technology and Implementation for distance learning students

The Huddersfield University Law School offers a range of distance and flexible learning courses. These courses are delivered on line through a virtual learning environment. The desire to widen participation was the original rationale for delivering courses in this way. The programmes were therefore primarily designed for those students who could not attend face to face sessions such as; overseas students who would find the cost of travelling to the UK prohibitive, students with family and/ or employment commitments and students with disabilities. The perceived changing student market and the recognition that more and more students will need to balance their study with other commitments has joined widening participation as an objective. It is vital that learning designs take account of a generation already used to technology in their learning and social life.
This kind of provision leads to its own challenges for staff and students. It requires detailed planning on pedagogy to ensure that it is appropriate for the online environment. In addition for many staff the development of this type of pedagogy requires training in software that they were not overtly familiar with, as well as the development of additional “online” moderation skills to supplement their “offline” teaching skills.