Widening the (out)reach: the potential use of interactive webinars to extend widening participation beyond local geographical boundaries. (20th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rainford, Jon; Sinclair, Trevor; Pike, David
• Is Part Of: Widening participation and lifelong learning. Volume 17:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2015-12-20
• Subjects: Adult education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Adult education -- Periodicals; Continuing education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Continuing education -- Periodicals; 374.005
• DOI: 10.5456/WPLL.17.4.105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-6529

Abstract

Digital technologies and eLearning are not constrained by geographical boundaries, and therefore extend the potential scope of outreach work. This is particularly useful when targeting groups of students with specific characteristics (e.g. ethnic minority groupings, disability etc.) or by subject area (e.g. midwifery, law etc.). The reliance of most outreach work on face-to-face engagement often restricts who a Higher Education Institution (HEI) can work with and causes hidden attendance costs even though events are often delivered free of charge. One solution to this is to utilise webinars (internet based seminars conducted through video conferencing) to supplement the delivery of campus-based events. This paper highlights the challenges and opportunities from a pilot project using the Blackboard Collaborate software to conduct training for associate students across two campuses working in the outreach team. It explores the uses and implications this has for our institution and other HEIs globally.