Technological developments have opened new opportunities for lifelong learning, novel learning environments and self-directed education, but it is not yet clear how we can make best use of these opportunities. This investigation can use participation data from provisions such as hybrid learning environments to understand the patterns of study, demographic breakdown, the role of social networks and socialised learning, and many other aspects of these non-traditional learners.¹¹

Honing existing offerings and creating new ones on the basis of carefully analysed data will enable us to bring efficient and successful learning to those who may have failed in traditional education, require training for the workplace¹², seek up-skilling opportunities¹³, live in remote areas with little access to formal learning or who simply want to learn for pleasure. It has been clearly established that a population with access to opportunities for high-quality education will have a more prosperous economy, better health and improved life satisfaction.¹⁴ It is therefore easy to see that research into all aspects of informal learning could be of significant worth to individuals, societies and even humanity as a whole.