2008 - 2013 Flexible Learning Course

This week you are exploring the meaning of Flexible Learning, and doing this mainly in your specific professional context - what it means to you and your students. If adding images or video to your blog posts, it is a good idea to search for Creative Commons or Public Domain material using the Creative Commons search facility at: http://search.creativecommons.org/ . Don't forget to add the website as a caption beneath the item - follow my lead. This is called giving attribution to the author's work. To read more about this, go to the Creative Commons website at: http://www.creativecommons.org.nz/

The following information is from the wiki topic for this week - What is Flexible Learning?

Activity Two: Find yourself a buddy in the class, and discuss the following questions:

• What does the term Flexible Learning mean to you?
• Why is it necessary to use a more flexible approach in your work?
• What do you need to explore to help this happen?
• What goals do you have for using Flexible Learning in your work?
• Post responses to your blog.

Reading

• Casey, J., & Wilson, P. (2005). A practical guide to providing flexible learning in further and higher education. This is a very useful resource about flexible learning.

• Look for the five dimensions of flexibility, and the seven-stage continuum of flexibility.
• The Appendix (pages 34 - 135) contains templates which you may wish to use.

• Chapter One: Collis, B. & Moonen, J. (2001). Flexible learning in a digital world. Open and Distance Series. London: Kogan page Ltd. Hard copy or Google book.

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.