The Northern Ireland Legislation Courses: An Investigation of the Contribution of Open Learning to the Effectiveness of In-House Training.

Redpath, Gwyneth M (1995). The Northern Ireland Legislation Courses: An Investigation of the Contribution of Open Learning to the Effectiveness of In-House Training. BPhil thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000fb79

Abstract

This thesis investigates "Open Learning" and the literature available, and shows that training courses do not have to have a "media" content to be classified as open learning. It is also shown, through the literature, that there are three supports to open learning: learner choice; learner support; and informed learner input. The thesis investigates the use of "learner support" as a way of making training courses more open, using, as the vehicle, the Northern Ireland Legislation Courses, produced "in-house" by the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Lewis's Open learning continuum is adapted for use to show whether total course provision is more open.

Evaluation and "effectiveness" are investigated also. "Effectiveness" is considered in the area of training, and an original metaphor is used to explain the meanings of "effectiveness" and "efficiency". Evaluation is considered, both in relation to "effectiveness",and also whether it should be done at all and if so, by whom and how.