Part 1

Perspectives on Learner Support

 Structure of this study 

This study consists of three parts and five supporting appendices. 

	Part 1 outlines the overall aims of the study, the research methodology employed and also includes                        a short review of the literature on learner support in order to provide a perspective from which to engage with the case studies.
	Part 2 comprises six case studies based on six different programmes. The case studies are based                         on programmes and institutions which, taken together, offer a broad overview of how learner support is conceptualised and operationalised within South Africa. Each case study complements the others but                   also offers a unique insight into a particular area of concern. Each case study is presented as a self-contained      unit with the introductory section outlining the overall aims of the programme, the target audience, the main           mode of delivery and the principle forms of learner support. It is hoped that this will enable readers with limited         time to focus in depth on the particular case studies that seem most clearly attuned with their interests             and needs.
	Part 3 represents an attempt to draw together the lessons of experience that arise from the case studies and to use these to make recommendations for further action and research. It also includes a brief discussion of the budgetary issues raised by the need to provide adequate learner support in distance learning programmes.

Five appendices support the core of the report:

	Appendix One outlines, in a little more detail, the programmes that were the focus of each case study.                We felt that this more detailed information might be of interest to providers offering, or intending to offer, similar programmes.
	Appendix Two contains examples of the research instruments used by SAIDE researchers in compiling the case studies.
	Appendix Three contains examples of evaluation instruments used by the institutions involved in the case studies to assess and improve their learner support practices and the general quality of learning.
	Appendix Four contains examples of learner support audit instruments and references thereto.
	Appendix Five offers a possible model for quality assurance in the provision of learner support that will hopefully be a useful tool as well as provoking creative discussion.