The period of transition to third level study can, for some learners, trigger what is known as "entry shock". Although we now live in a so-called digital age students new to higher education, who pursue online and flexible modes of study, are nonetheless faced with significant additional challenges. Accordingly, the Toolbox for Flexible Learners project developed a suite of digital tools to help these learners to both self-evaluate and improve their readiness for flexible study. Informed by research in student success, identity creation and student readiness these rich media self-diagnostic tools allow prospective students for example to:
Plan and budget their time
Determine their digital/computer literacy
Identify supports they will need
Write assignments
The tools have been made available under open source and creative commons licenses. They are now being wrapped within a specially designed MOOC, delivered in a new Moodle MOOC platform. This presentation will describe these tools and how we are developing the MOOC to socialize a cohort of learners who particularly need help in transitioning to further study.