Main Points:

• Aim of Higher Education?
• Learner Training
• Free Access to the CILL site

In an early booklet by Cornwell and Cronk (1979) on independent learning in higher education, the authors argue that "if higher education has only a single aim then surely it would be to create independent learners." "We in education must ensure that the ability to learn in an autonomous and self-directed way should now be an essential component in the vocational survival kit of all our graduates." Cornwell and Cronk (1979: 1). The CILL Internet site aims to facilitate the vocational survival of HKPU graduates in three ways. Firstly, by providing explanations of the usefulness of independent learning skills, secondly by giving learners the opportunity to develop those skills, and thirdly by providing useful tools for exercising those skills;eg. links to on-line dictionaries. Even after the learners graduate they can still access the CILL site and use its facilities, so the training and facilities can be used throughout the learners' postgraduate careers, which is not the case with self-access centres and libraries, which are normally only available to students while they are enrolled at an institution.

Cornwell, Malcolm & Cronk, Kathleen (1979) ‘That’ll Learn Yer!’ The Case of Independent Learning Brighton: Brighton Polytechnic Learning Resources