1. Supporting further and higher education Priority themes from pre- meeting questionnaires

2. Supporting further and higher education Priority themes from pre- meeting questionnaire

3. Facilitating progression Targeted groups: rural communities, farmers, those disadvantaged through the digital divide. Widening participation by raising aspirations and then provide appropriate support to non-traditional students once theyre in HE Transfer of learner information between FE and HE partners

4. Facilitating progression Empowering graduate retention Looking at progression right the way through from 14-16 into FE and HE Data sharing between colleges in a region Enlargement of level 2 participation Increasing participation in learning post-19 Information and transition to HE for young people with disabilities An ePortfolio framework to support APEL and CAT processes.

5. Sharing resources and collaborative teaching Training people to teach using e-learning. Collaborative teaching and sharing of resources across institutions, at foundation degree level Making HE students in FE feel part of the HE institution Linking FE and HE colleges VLE resources, and promote links in from CTCs Flexible, modular delivery of foundation degrees Collaboration across NTIs in developing courses Addressing the aspiration-attainment gap for the AimHigher client group by making available bite-sized accredited learning opportunities across a wide spectrum of subjects at FE/HE level.

6. Sharing resources and collaborative teaching Providing relevant learning modules to support work-based learning for learners with large employers (NHS) or SMEs. Subject focus mentioned: –E-Business –IT - Web Development, Digital Imaging, Networking, Internet, Wireless Communication, new media –Basic skills –Key skills –Design and technology –Health informatics

7. Supporting the independent lifelong learner Systems which deliver tools and information from a range of sources to the learner at home, in the workplace or community centre Exploring how eLearning systems, tools and resources can be used within a community. Sustainable community e-learning -- making communities/ learning centres self-sufficient in supporting/developing the infrastructure. Support in the workplace for students who are employed – eg part time students

8. Supporting further and higher education Afternoon Session Feedback from Regional Groupings

9. Lancs and Cumbria Current activities/interests –supporting FE students learning in HE –encouraging progression from 14-16 as well as post 16. –supporting staff within institutions to use e-learning –explore how a learner can realise their aspirations to gain access to HE. –empowering communities using ICT, in rural areas use existing network etc. –Encourage progression at all ages to enter all stages of education in geographical communities –Network West. NTI Initiative and AimHigher activities

10. Lancs and Cumbria Create a development framework in East Lancashire Regional, to provide a support network. Looking at developmental routes for non- traditional learners eg technicians. e-Portfolio for learners in SME and education. Building on the NTI – New Technology Initiative Digital Development Agency – could provide a basis for some of the projects.

11. Lancs and Cumbria Address issue of distance between populations with the region Increasing aspiration – to encourage participation in HE. Building on the Aim Higher. Welcomed this opportunity to consider how outputs form JISC development projects can be used to realise and address real issue at local level.

12. Merseyside Would like to use technology to make information and sign-up about courses and modules available to learners Building on an existing initiative in the region – JMU and Liverpool Each institution retains control over their courses, but students can pick from a wider pool of modules More choices for the learner Actual courses can be delivered in any way: face to face, blended, or e- learning

13. Merseyside Can chunks of learning be offered through this mechanism to non-traditional learners and those new to HE? This would raise a number of issues: –Need to be able to transfer learner records and learner data between participating institutions –Students need support in making choices about which courses to follow next – how would this be provided? Supported by electronic PDP? –How would these courses be reached out to learners new to HE? –How would these new learners be supported in their HE experience?

14. Merseyside Subject focus – suggested that it might be appropriate to start with healthcare – clearly involves work-based learning Another initiative that could be built on is PGCert North – informal collaboration and resource-sharing network. Resources were primarily developed for PG Cert in Education, but many are also relevant to other trainers Might they also be useful to prepare students for the HE experience?

15. Merseyside Liverpool Hope are interested in making use of their existing networks into schools in the region to bring learners from non- traditional backgrounds into HE – and supporting these learners once theyre in HE

16. Greater Manchester Bolton Uni –Progression FE – HE –Existing consortium Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance –Consensus on FDs GMFD –Different teaching environments NHS – Health Care Teaching –Whole region –FE HE

17. Greater Manchester MMU –UniLinks Whiteboard Virutal Presence+ JORUM Demonstrate Interoperability Flexible Learning and Support Cultural Impact of using eLearning Pedagogy / Technology balance.