Life, Learning and Technology: views from the learners

There has been a rapid spread of personal information technology and social networking along with increasing demand for flexibility and choice in learning. This is fuelling international research interest in the holistic experience of e-learners. Over the course of a year, the Learner Experience of e-Learning study (LEX) interviewed learners from across the post-16 educational sectors in the UK in order to compile a snapshot of those very personal learning experiences. Through rigorous interview and analysis techniques, the study successfully explored the beliefs and intentions of learners in relation to their use of technology for learning, as well as the strategies and behaviours they displayed towards integrating e-learning with other aspects of their lives. This paper outlines the background to the study and its methodology, provides a critical evaluation of the main findings and concludes by highlighting the key implications for tutors in the planning and practice of e-learning