It is good to see information about “sustainable practices from …Otago Polytechnic Strategic Plans”(Graduate profile, learners’ needs etc), as well as a critique about Universal instructional Design. For example, about how social inequity can impact on learners leading to a natural disadvantage which is compounded by disability and exclusion for other reasons. I love the Bob Dylan video clip which certainly illustrates “the direct connection between materialism and social justice and cultural issues”. Good listening and an illustration of how music in a refreshing way to teach literacy – as you mention.

Your question, “Is online learning an inducement for someone who has already has somehow have fallen through the gap. . .”.

On the surface we might not think so, because online learning often necessitates some sort of skill in being a self-directed learner. However, if the learning is more relevant for the student, then it has more chance of engaging and interesting them. I am sure people working in Youth skills and Foundation Learning would have opinions about this.

There is some good discussion about the impact of modular learning on students – are we turning them into dependent and passive learners by doing this? I reckon!

Also you have some good ideas for how to gather information about the needs of the learners right from the outset. For example, their skill set on entry into programmes. I believe that this is being done to some extent, now that Otago Polytechnic has a policy for open entry, perhaps the staff in the Foundation Learning programme will know.