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CONSULTANCY

Since IRFOL ceased to trade, CERD has undertaken some consultancy work. Some of the consultancy involved desk research and other work included organisational reviews and audits.

2006 Research into costs of provision at the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL)
The focus of this consultancy was to review the funding formula for grants as well as the real cost of programme design and delivery to the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL). The research was undertaken by Professor Greville Rumble.

2006 A survey of distance education provision for the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
The title of this report is ' Options for structures, governance and finance of open and distance learning'. The work was commissioned by the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand to guide its thinking about its role and structure within New Zealand tertiary education and the role of other institutions, in particular, other polytechnics. It draws on international experience and looks in turn at organisational models, collaboration and partnerships, staffing and the division of labour, the economics of distance learning, funding, technological and political changes and the changing political and cultural context.

2006 A report entitled 'Framework for a research agenda: External Laws Programme, University of London'
The External Laws Programme faces various internal and external pressures to improve the quality of its provision. For the programme team, this has inevitably led to an increased interest in evaluation as a means to direct innovation and determine learning and cost effectiveness. This report aims to contribute to laying the foundations of a research strategy for the Laws programme – the jewel in the crown of the External System in terms of enrolment figures – one which seeks to help them develop a sound evidence base from which to take informed decisions about programme improvement and development.

2005 Education for All Global Monitoring Report
On behalf of UNESCO (www.unesco.org) IRFOL undertook 2 studies in 2004 for the 2005 Education for All Global Monitoring Report http://publishing.unesco.org/details.aspx?Code_Livre=4298

The main theme of the Education for All Global Monitoring Report (GMR) for 2005 is the quality of education. The Report will assess the progress that is being made globally in improving the quality of basic education and examine the policies and strategies that are proving effective in primary education, early childhood care and education (ECCE), and through literacy and skills development programmes.

Distance learning is increasingly an option in national strategies to extend opportunities to those disadvantaged in their ability to benefit from a quality education. It takes many forms and applications which may result in direct learning opportunities for those in basic education programmes or, more indirectly, have a beneficial impact through offering cost effective approaches to the professional development of those working in the education sector. In this regard, there is a significant literature on distance learning in support of teachers and the EFA Report will draw on this. What is less well known among general audiences is the extent to which distance learning is, or has the potential to be effective in improving the quality of teaching and learning in the mainstream of the education system, especially at the primary level of schooling. There is also debate as to whether distance learning provides a strong vehicle for meeting the learning demands of those who have been denied educational opportunities as children, primarily through suffering from multiple disadvantages. These issues provided the context for the two commissioned studies.

View report - Out of School Provision for Children and Adolescents (PDF - 287 KB) >>

View report - Improving the quality of primary school through distance education (PDF - 327 KB) >>

Commonwealth of Learning - Forum on Open Schooling for Secondary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa
View report >> (PDF - 1637 KB)

Commonwealth of Learning - Learner support in open and distance learning report
In 2005 IRFOL prepared a report reflecting on the existing approaches to learner support in open and distance learning, particularly in lower income countries. The report focussed on one aspect of learner support, namely tutoring, defined here as the support provided to assist students directly with their learning from teaching materials - this included support for the development of study skills.

View report - The art of the possible (PDF - 321 KB) >>

BOCODOL
BOCODOL stands for the Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning www.moe.gov.bw/bocodol/index.html

A consultancy was undertaken on behalf of the DFID funded University of Bath - BOCODOL partnership to help BOCODOL develop its own policy on research and quality control and to establish roles, responsibilities and procedures necessary to implement such a policy.
View report >> (PDF - 267 KB)