15.1 The progressive development of a culture of lifelong learning for all in this country will need to include a strategy to embrace and take advantage of the new technologies of communication and information. Harnessing their use will provide additional means to open up access, overcome barriers to learning associated with distance and timing, give new opportunities for both individual and group learning and constitute mechanisms through which to create and disseminate new learning materials. Properly related to arrangements to give students reliable information and guidance and linked to facilities for interaction with other learners and tutorial support, the new technologies can also offer opportunities to widen participation and bring high quality learning schemes to learners at an affordable cost. Much development work needs to be undertaken. Care should be taken to ensure full access to the new technologies for everyone, underwrite standards and quality of provision and support the improvement of staff confidence and competence to work with the new technologies.

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