If I want another view of a news story or to access a document which would previously have sat on someone else's desk waiting to be copied or for a circulation list sticker to be applied - then I need no one's permission to read it.

Of course, all this presupposes that I have the requisite search and information skills; that I am able to understand and sift through the masses of information with which I am presented. It is these skills that teachers, tutors, trainers and mentors will increasingly need to pass on to their students and clients.

The Challenges

For organisations like members of the ODLQC, this new learner independence can be seen as both an opportunity and a challenge. An opportunity because the methodology and principles of providing support to independent learners have long been the primary characteristic of their work. A challenge because so many other providers, sources and systems can now reach the learner and make this available.