Assessing the online learning landscape for upskilling and reskilling adults: the current market and the use of Artificial Intelligence

): Expressions of interest are sought to conduct a market study looking at the current online learning landscape, and the use of artificial intelligence and educational technology (AIEd) in skills provision. The Government is interested in the potential that online learning, artificial intelligence and educational technology may have for upskilling and reskilling large numbers of adults, particularly in intermediate skills and targeting those with low-to-intermediate skills.

The aim of the study is: • To gain a deeper understanding of the online learning and AIEd markets for intermediate skills in England, and to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. The study will use economic frameworks to understand how the market operates, what incentives drive behaviour, and if there are any market failures that would warrant government intervention. • To identify existing and potential modes of delivery and technologies to inform the possible future design of a Government online learning offer for upskilling/reskilling adults in valuable intermediate skills.

The market study will be broken down into two strands: • Depth interviews will provide information that is not available in the public domain, such as cost breakdowns for the running of online learning courses, costs of developing AI, and a deeper understanding of both the effectiveness of different types of online learning and the incentives that drive the behaviour of market participants. We expect the contractor to show they have previously carried out research that gathers potentially commercially sensitive information, such as costings. • Following the depth interviews, the contractor should conduct desk research looking at a review of published literature pertaining to online learning and AIEd (including reports, evaluations of initiatives, academic papers and articles in the media), as well as an analysis of MOOC platforms and online courses, online learning provider websites, course catalogues and AIEd developer/provider websites.

There will be two primary outputs for this study: • Interim report - Emerging findings arising from depth interviews, especially pertaining to business models, cost structures and market incentives, should be presented to DfE in a short document as well as in a meeting between the contractor and DfE officials to discuss results so far. • Full report - Detailed findings, bringing together both research strands, will be presented to DfE in a report of publishable standard. The report will outline the market structure for online learning and AIEd, the existing incentives and how they influence behaviour, as well as whether there are any market failures that would warrant government intervention.

Please Note the Deadline for EOIs is 5pm, Wednesday 2nd May 2018 Additional information: The word count limit for EOIs is 1,000 words. The Deadline for EOIs is 5pm, Wednesday 2nd May 2018.