Research and analysis

Report on SFA actions from the FELTAG report

Response on recommendations from an independent report encouraging innovation in the use of technology by the further education system.

Applies to England

Documents

NIACE report to the Skills Funding Agency on the actions arising from the FELTAG report

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Details

The aim of the Further Education Learning Technology Action Group (FELTAG) was to identify obstacles preventing further education providers taking full advantage of technology. The group’s recommendations were designed to remove these obstacles, and encourage the further education system towards the digital future expected by learners and employers.

The government response to the FELTAG recommendations included a number of actions for the SFA. We commissioned the Learning and Work Institute (formally known as NIACE) to undertake an examination of these issues:

  • include a field in the individual learner record through which providers will be able to record how much online and blended delivery they are already involved in
  • evaluate if SFA funding rules and audit procedures are a barrier to the development of online and blended learning in the sector
  • consider the case for the implementation of an online funding rate
  • work with a number of pilot providers in the sector to collect evidence on the potential barriers and incentives that could be developed in the funding system to encourage the development of blended and online learning

The outcome of this report was that there is no strong case to set targets for online delivery; and therefore we will not set a separate online learning rate.

Updates to this page

Published 27 July 2016

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