Student Success Toolbox for Flexible Learners: Supporting Transitions from Thinking About Study to the First Weeks

About this initiative

The Student Success Toolbox project was focused on addressing the problem of effective transitions and the foundations for student success during the initial stages of the study lifecycle with a specific focus on flexible learners. In the context of this project a broad definition was adopted of flexible learners, which includes adult learners engaged in part-time and online/distance learning. The particular focus of this project is on supporting flexible learners through key transitions in the early stages of the study lifecycle: from thinking about study, making choices, the registration process and through to the first few weeks. A basic premise of the project is that the foundations for student success are laid early in the study lifecycle, and that this crucial transition period may be enhanced by the availability of appropriately designed digital readiness and preparation tools, which help to scaffold both prospective students and those about to embark on part time or online/distance study for the first time. An agile, iterative, Design-based Research (DBR) methodology was adopted to plan, develop, pilot, and release a total of eight digital readiness tools to the sector as open educational resources (OERs). By making the tools and related documentation freely available through the project website and related Github site the project has increased the capacity of the sector to support flexible learner transition into education.