1. Dr John Butcher, Wendy Fowle, Julie Gowen
Understanding the impact of outreach to adults from disadvantaged backgrounds
FACE 2017
Symposium
30th June 2017
Dr John Butcher, Wendy Fowle, Julie Gowen
The Open University

2. + Identifying the issue + + = The decline of part-time HE
Part-time learners primarily adult learners
Evaluation of outreach primarily focussed on school-based interventions
Outreach for mature learners significantly different
Identified need to explore examples of outreach activity for disadvantaged adult learners
The development of an evaluation framework for use across the sector + + + =
Institutions claim to spend vast amounts of money on outreach, but there is little known about who is doing what and what works.

3. Activity What does outreach look like in your institution?
How important are adult learners in your institution?
Do you do any outreach for adult learners?
What are the challenges for delivering outreach to adult learners?

4. Why the project?
Sector encouragement to engage more fully with this cohort
OFFA focus on adult and mature learners in Access Agreements
Recognition that many institutions are uncertain how to ‘do’ it

5. 5 institutional case studies providing exemplars of outreach for disadvantaged adult learners
The preparedness of students studying a STEM Access module for studying Level 1 STEM
Transitions from a foundation programme onto a full Arts degree
Successful transitions from Higher Educational Introductory Studies to degree level study
Community engagement – what works?
Using free online resources to reach adult learners

6. Findings from the case studies
Outreach for disadvantaged adult learners is context-specific
The impact of outreach in terms of engaging adults with HE may not be felt for some time
Successful outreach may not necessarily mean adult learners re-engaging with the institution from which the outreach was delivered
Successful outreach may be more qualitative (ie increased confidence) in nature rather than bums on seats
Adult learner journeys are random and non-linear therefore measuring impact and progression to HE is challenging

7. Activity Step 1 How ready is your institution for adult learners?
What does outreach to adult learners look like in your institution?
Step 3
How do you evaluate your outreach activity to adult learners
Next steps

8. Woburn House Conference Centre, London
Official report to be launched
4th July
What next for adult learners post-election/post Brexit?
Woburn House Conference Centre, London
@OU_observe