The widening participation challenge is faced by all HE institutions, who have been charged by Government with reducing the large discrepancies in  take-up of opportunities between different groups in society. The WP agenda can be tracked through the Dearing Report, through reform at the 14-19 stage, to the development of Foundation Degrees. Raising educational attainment and aspiration, encouraging progression through 14-19 and application to HE, and fair access are all key elements. WP involves ensuring equality of opportunity for disabled students, mature students, women and men, and students from all economic, social and ethnic groups. It is also a HEFCE strategic challenge.

Within the widening partcipation challenge, projects are addressing issues of how the use of digital technologies can support:  

• access and accessibility 

• raising attainment and aspiration

• engaging non-traditional learners (see for example work-based learners)
• other aspects of inclusion, including digital literacy

Widening participation is linked with the issues of diversity among cohorts, and with flexibility in the curriculum, since it is often flexibility which enables participation on the part of otherwise excluded groups such as those in employment or care roles. Outcomes of various JISC projects suggest that the development of an e-portfolio culture can support WP, as it allows learners with non-traditional qualifications to evidence and present their potential, either in transition within the education sector (for example from FE to HE) or for the purposes of employment and CPD.

Resources

assets tagged with accessibility

assets tagged with inclusion

assets tagged with widening participation