| Summary: | The National Learning Network (nln) materials are digital learning objects developed for English FE colleges as part of a pioneering Government initiative to increase the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the post-16 sector. This study explores the nln materials programme and the differences it made. Practitioners, NLN development partners and key stakeholders were surveyed and interviewed to identify barriers and enablers uptake of the nln materials, and to assess their current use.
The study found that delivery partners brought a range of skills to the programme, and ultimately the nln materials were a success. However at times the end-user experience was disjointed and lacked coherence; the challenges of accessing and using the materials, technical and quality issues, and the nature of engagement within colleges affected their uptake.
Many of these barriers have now been surmounted and the nln materials are widely regarded as having improved technology infrastructure and staff skills in colleges – for some they are seed pearl that made colleges more receptive to e-learning content.
The nln materials are now being made available to wider audiences, and future scenarios for their ongoing use are explored.
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