Shift Learning

Shift Learning Syndicated Business Intelligence is designed to inform investment decisions for the education and learning sector. Our reports are used by many market leading companies.

We investigate key decision areas and share results among the members who subscribe. This service is a cost- effective way for clients to keep up-to-date with market developments and benefit from Shift Learning's expertise. Click on the links below to read more about our syndicated research proposals. All of our project scopes are indicative and we welcome your feedback on areas to be covered. 

NEW! The Impact of the English Baccalaureate 

 The "English Baccalaureate" (EBacc) was announced in last year’s schools White Paper and quickly introduced into school league tables published in January 2011.

It has already caused widespread consternation in schools, which were unprepared for its introduction. Now the dust has settled we feel that it is time for some research looking into the likely impact of the English Baccalaureate for publishers and content owners.

NEW! The UK Further Education Sector - developments, market data and opportunities  

The FE Market is particularly sensitive to social and political change and the last two years have seen dramatic changes with the advent of the QCF and the new coalition government. In this volatile market it is essential for publishers to keep abreast with the latest developments in order to take full advantage of market opportunities as well as to avoid making expensive mistakes by investing in disappearing qualification types and subject areas. 

This follow up report to The UK Further Education Sector 2009 will give FE publishers a go-to reference for the sector as it now stands, covering latest reforms, a guide to funding, the background and latest developments for each qualification type, and an analysis of the latest publicly available candidate data. 

iPhone, iPad and Smartphone Apps for Higher Education Students 

As iPhones, iPads and Smartphones become more widespread, many academic institutions around the world are beginning to invest in creating apps.  The idea of a University app is fairly well established in the US, but now many UK universities are beginning to develop their own.

What these apps offer varies from institution to institution as does the approach of the universities concerned to how they should be funded, with some institutions offering them free and others, such as Warwick University, charging students to download the app.

This comprehensive report, based on qualitative research, looks at the attitudes of both existing and prospective students to the concept of University apps. iPhone, iPad & Smartphone apps for Higher Education Students should help you to think creatively about how to produce a truly successful student-centric app by gaining new perspectives on students’ needs, wants, and attitudes.

VLE usage in secondary schools 

After government incentives and usage drives from Local Authorities, VLEs have finally arrived in UK schools. VLE compatibility appears anecdotally to be increasingly important to teachers reviewing resources, but what does VLE compatibility really mean to them? Is full integration necessary or is simply being able to easily link to content enough?

This comprehensive report looks at teachers’ perceptions and current usage of VLE technologies alongside changes anticipated for the future, highlighting implications for publishers and other content owners.

Our recent reports are listed below:

The UK Further Education sector 2009

Web 2.0 for Academics

Abolition of Key Stage 3 SATS – implications for publishers

eMarketing to academics

Pricing and sell-through of textbooks in Higher Education (in partnership with Blackwells Bookshops)

Reaching the home market for educational electronic products