Improvement of accessibility of higher college education in Lithuania applying forms of e-learning

ENThe article analyses how the diversity (different types of institutions, study forms and modes) enhances accessibility of college higher education to students as well as to society, whose members aim at professional development or retraining. Though the students’ attitude towards distance studies and possibilities of distance learning in different colleges has been intensively investigated in recent works of researchers, the role of distance studies as a means of professional development or retraining for society has been under-researched. The goal of the article is to analyse improvement of access to higher college education in Lithuanian applying a variety of e-learning forms. The reach data were obtained employing method of scientific literature and documents analysis, and qualitative research method: written survey. To validate the data of internet website analysis, the questionnaire survey of 23 college staff members in charge of distance studies/studies was additionally carried out in 2014 and the data were received from 10 colleges. Taking into consideration the results of the conducted analysis of documents, literature, internet websites and survey, recommendations for improvement of e-learning activities seeking to address requirements imposed on higher education, developing students’ competences and ensuring the paradigm of lifelong learning are proposed. Generalising, it can be stated that accessibility of higher education is improved employing a wider variety of e-learning forms. Keywords: college higher education, accessibility, distance education. [From the publication]