A touch of summer by By Per Ola Wiberg ~ Powi

In the Flexible Learning class session today we did a recap on what was covered in the course, and people discussed their progress. Each person also shared what they were doing in their teaching as a basis for developing the Flexible Learning plan.  The recordings of the session have been put on Dropbox, as mp3 files and you should have received invitations to the folder.

Please use the template provided for the Flexible Learning Plan - Assessment Three  (this is in the course outline and has been sent out previously - request another if you need it) to figure out your ideas for your plan, get feedback from colleagues or peers in the class (if there is time), and ask me to give you feedback before you present.

People who are ready will present their Flexible learning plans in the final class session on Thursday 9 December (not 7 Dec as previously advertised) 10:00 - 12:30 in H312.  You can present using Powerpoint or other slide presentation, e.g., slideshare, or talk without props. If you need an extension, please get in touch asap.  Even if you are not presenting it would be great if you could attend to support the others.

Your presentation is Assessment Three, not the information you write on the template, unless we have negotiated this.  Your presentation will be marked on the assessment three criteria (Assessment three: Present your final Flexible Learning Plan), and these are aligned with the Flexible Learning Plan template instructions.  Please use the resources on the course wiki under each of the topics to assist with your plans. You do not need to hand in anything written afterwards unless I make this request due to your presentation not achieving a pass.

Organisational documents such as the Charter and strategic directions for flexible learning can be found in the resources on the course wiki - Educational Organisations.

Free Colorful Spring Blossoms in Pink on Blue Sky byD Sharon Pruitt

Spring is here and so is the updated course timetable for semester two. It is also on the course wiki.  It was a buzz to take part in the speed-chatting exercise, and lots of you have gone on to complete your assignments.

The timetable is a guide for helping you to finish by the end of the year. I am very happy to meet with people before the next workshop if you need help with planning for flexibility.  Next workshop - Thursday 28 October - 15:00 to 16:30 - Venue: H312.

Make sure you check out the information about planning, and the list of reference material.

 Several participants met recently to discuss topics for Assessment Two. Access and equity, diversity, cultural sensitivity and strategies for flexible learning; as well as thinking about what flexible learning actually is. Everyone got into the speed chatting exercise where they had to talk for 3 minutes about each topic - with a different "date" for each topic. The face-to-face discussion was in lieu of the online discussion, but people can also use some of their online contributions if they already contributed. Assessment Two is a reflection of what was learned about the topics from participating in the discussion. A date was set for submission for the group who participated in the f2f discussion - 16 August. Of course this can be flexible.

The image depicts a summary of some of the main points from the speed chatting discussion. For example:

• Support is key especially where technology is involved.
• Getting to know your learners, their existing knowledge and abilities, and their preferences for learning. 
• Understanding some of the issues which might block access to learning, e.g., gender, in health courses which are predominantly female. 
• One size does not fit all.
• Access to learning can be enabled by using inclusive practices which are equitable, and take account of diversity in ability and knowledge, and social circumstances.

The tertiary education sector is highly competitive, and now that funding is shrinking even further organisations are scrabbling for a slice of the pie. Is Flexible Learning the answer? What strategies are working well and give organisations the edge? In this topic we will explore and justify some approaches to providing flexible learning environments in tertiary organisations.

The topic from 26 April to 2 May is about Flexible learning in Educational Organisations. This is a totally self-directed topic and there wont be any tutorials on this topic. Do feel free to discuss any issue which arise on the email forum. Check out the resources on the wiki. There is plenty to explore. There is presentation by the CE at Otago Polytechnic, some readings and video to look at and as usual reflection questions.

Kate Timms-Dean ran a great session on indigenous learners. I stuffed up the audio for the beginning of the presentation but there is a recording from slide 7 and most of the discussion. This is on the wiki - Indigenous Learners. Her session will be repeated on Elluminate - see below. Kate is very happy to discuss the topic on the email forum.

Next Scheduled Workshop

Date: Thursday April 29 2010 - Indigenous learners - Kate Timms-Dean.

• Online: 19:00 - 20:30 via web conferencing - not mentioned on schedule. More on wiki.
  

This week we are looking at a variety of ways to provide flexibility in learning. This is a time for you to explore local and global examples and links are provided on the course wiki - Examples of Flexible Learning. In the image you can see what can happen when you arrange the same cards differently.

There will be face-to-face and online presentations and discussion about this topic, and next week we will have an online discussion in the email group about some of the strategies. It is great to see so many people taking part in the online discussion and I have met several of you in the classroom- on-site and online. Everyone is already doing some form of flexible learning, and by working together and exchanging ideas we can all add to the mixing pot of creativity already underway.

As you will see when you explore the examples on the course website, and read the discussion posts, there is no one way to do things. It will be very interesting to hear your views in the sessions this week or in the email discussion about the examples you explore. What has struck you the most about the examples you have investigated? Are there other facets of teaching and learning you wish to share?

This week we are exploring the meaning of the term flexible learning. We started looking at this in the first workshop and there were some very broad ideas about this. For example, during the brainstorm session people came up with: creative approaches (especially learner-based), getting away from traditional classroom approaches, learning together in agreed ways, access, alternate assessment, learning styles and so on.

There is a recording (60 mins) of the introductory online session.

Flexible learning can occur anywhere, anyhow, anyway...

To do this week
Your job this week is to see if you agree with the ideas on the course wiki - Flexible Learning Guidebook - and in the readings and contribute to the online discussion. A hard copy reading (Flexible learning its not just about distance) has been posted to people who did not get one at the onsite workshop. There is also an online reading and a reflection question.

If you were unable to attend the first workshop sessions, or enrolled recently, I have asked about your availability this week to attend a class session. You will get an email soon to confirm a day and time - please make sure you reply to my short email quiz.

Group email Discussion forum
In the meantime, make sure you introduce yourselves on the email Discussion forum - several people have done so already. We have people from a variety of different areas. Post to:
flexible-learning-class-discussion@googlegroups.com And please contribute your ideas about flexible learning. The activities and links to material are all under the class wiki topic - What is flexible learning?.

Assessment due
The first assessment is due 19 February - this is your Learning Plan. It will not take you long to do but please make sure you request an extension if you cannot get anything to me by Friday - a draft will do if you cannot get the full version done. Remember though your Learning Plan is something you can keep adding to and changing as you progress in the course.

Next Scheduled Workshops

Date: February 25th - Examples of Flexible Learning

• Onsite: 10:30-12:00 in D315 (D block on Harbour Terrace).
• Online: 10:30-12:00 via web conferencing.

Date: 4 March - Examples of Flexible Learning - new date not on the Course Outline

• Repeat session online: 19:00-20:30

Have a great week.