Helping people to help themselves

Information technology has enabled a revolution in the management and delivery of learning systems in vocational education and training. Government-supported developments in the UK have recently spawned the Open College and the Open Polytechnic alongside the better-known Open University. At the same time secondary schools are seeking closer partnerships with industry to secure greater relevance for their courses and better preparation of young people for a high technology future.

Underpinning these changes are two key trends. The first is the establishment of a national curriculum and a coherent system of vocational qualifications based on industry requirements and standards. The second is the move to release the full energy and commitment of individuals by shifting the emphasis from teaching and lecturing to learning. This learner-centred movement has flourished through the progressive application of informatics to education and training. This paper describes successful implementation in the UK to date and prospects for the future.