An Evaluation of the Information Needs and Practices of Part-Time, Distance Learning and Mature Students in Higher Education

This paper evaluates the information needs and practices of part-time, distance learning and mature students in Higher Education (HE) outside the Open University (OU). In recent years, the government has pointed out the importance of individuals engaging in lifelong learning, to remain competitive in a globalised economy, which draws increasingly on successful knowledge creation. In response, the HE sector in the UK offers a growing number of its programmes on a part-time and distance-learning basis for students to remain in full- or part-time employment while studying for further qualifications. We question whether the information-gathering practices of part-time and distance learning students best reflect the pedagogical concept of lifelong learning. Our results show that the majority of universities do not cater for the specialised needs of part-time and distance learners well, which leads to an increasing use of the Internet and employer resources as a substitute for traditional information channels. Students have major problems coping with the complexity of the WWW and they made recommendations on how to improve existing information services in FM