Pandemic prompts spike in searches for online learning

Open University deputy leader says there have been ‘four-to-tenfold increases’ in searches for digital courses

The number of adults searching for online learning has “gone through the roof” during the Covid-19 pandemic—something which could help address the decline in part-time learners, an influential committee of MPs has heard.

Speaking to the House of Commons education committee on 22 September about adult skills and lifelong learning, Open University deputy vice-chancellor Josie Fraser said the number of part-time learners in higher education has “lessened as we have progressed in policy and funding to make it much easier to do full-time, three-year degree courses undertaken as school leavers”.