Distributed learning specialist, Interactive University has unveiled plans to take the Heriot-Watt SCHOLAR programme south of the border. SCHOLAR, the world's largest single online learning programme, which is currently used in all 432 Scottish secondary schools, will be piloted in English schools and colleges in the post 16 sector.The SCHOLAR programme has been subject to a three-year evaluation in Scotland, where it has been hugely successful. It is used by all 60,000 school pupils studying for Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications, delivering a total of 4.5 million learning hours per annum. The programme has now been adapted for five A-Level subjects, covering maths, sciences and computer studies.
The current pilot in Cumbria, supported by the Learning and Skills Council, has been very well received and SCHOLAR is being used by around 2000 pupils and 200 teachers within the county. There is a high level of interest from other regions of England which are hoping to join the pilot later in the year. A key difference between the SCHOLAR approach and the myriad sources of e-learning already available, is that SCHOLAR includes an extensive range of learning services such as staff development, tutor support and the creation of learning communities. Developed by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, SCHOLAR is planned to support all three A-Level syllabuses; OCR, Edexcel and AQA. e-consultancy
Link via Stephen Downes
