We are pleased to announce that the National Learning Network (NLN) materials, a huge range of well-respected online teaching and learning resources, have been transferred to LSIS this week.

Originally funded by the Skills Funding Agency, the materials represent one of the most substantial and wide-ranging collections of e-learning materials in the UK.   Some of the key features that make the resources so popular are:

• the small, flexible 'bite-sized' episodes of learning that are designed to support a wide range of subject and topic areas;

• the adoption of a range of approaches including knowledge acquisition, a chance to practice and absorb, and assessments to ensure learning is understood and outcomes achieved;

• the ease of use - all the materials was trialled by tutors and students and tested for accessibility at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford;

• the opportunities for learners to think for themselves, enabling them to make mistakes and try again due to the inbuilt help and support; and
 
• the fun element of the content design - many of the materials include games and quizzes.

The NLN materials are available to download to a learning platform or can be used online at http://www.nln.ac.uk 

An LSIS survey in December last year identified a wish by the sector to retain the materials and, if possible, to bring them up to date. LSIS and the Excellence Gateway team will work with partners and practitioners to encourage this continued development of the materials.