What is 'flexible learning'?

Flexible Learning allows students to study for their degree in a way that suits their work and family commitments. This flexibility enables them to attend classes on campus (if they are able to) or study entirely online in the comfort of their own home or office:

• in their own time
• at their own pace
• in their own place
• for their own needs

A number of terms are often used interchangeably, however there are differences in the focus of each:

• Distance Education - Distance education generally refers to learning that takes place at a separate physical location from teaching.
  
  For more information and definitions check out:
  • The Distance Education Clearing House (Wisconsin, USA) which has compiled a number of other definitions of Distance learning and

  • The Distance Learning guides created by Barry Willis the Associate Dean-Engineering at the University of Idaho which are intended to clarify the concept of distance and give assistance to lecturers planning to teach in this mode.

• Open Learning - This is about 'open access'. It is about getting education to people who might not otherwise be able to access it because of their location, personal disabilities, or socio-economic circumstances. Organisations established with 'open' leanring in mind saw themselves as serving the community.
  
  For more information and definitions check out:

• The Commonwealth of Learning gives an overview

• Open and Distance Quality Council , UK

• Flexible Delivery - This usually refers to how students get access to their learning materials, i.e. how the materials get 'delivered' to them. It might not really have much to do with choice on their part, but rather be an organisational convenience.

• Flexible Learning - Flexible learning is usually thought to subsume open and distance learning but is learner centred, and often technologically supported.
  
  The following are a few links to articles and information which you may find interesting:

• NCODE Flexible Learning Australasia

• Article "Flexible Learning : Implications for Academic Practice"

• Article "Uncovering the Provisos behind Flexible Learning"

• Blended Learning - Originally used to describe combinations of online and face-to-face learning, this is now used much more broadly to refer to blends of technology, blends of teaching techniques, blends of resources, etc.
  
  See: Collis & Moonen, 2001, Flexible learning in a digital world: experiences and expectations. Available from the Academy Library.

Distance Education mode has been offered by UNSW @ ADFA since 1996 and began with a three year pilot program in the Master of Defence Studies supported by the then Flexible Education Centre. Since these early days Distance Education at UNSW @ ADFA has grown to encompass more than 50 subjects a year, attracting between 250 and 350 enrolments each semester and covering most of the post graduate degree programs on offer at the University.

Flexibility available to students and staff alike has extended beyond Distance Education to include Intensive mode courses and a wide range of technological options, including online learning. All flexible (and blended) options are supported by the Fexible Learning Team.

 

 

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