Distance Learning - Missing Links

The task of preparing for this keynote made me research more thoroughly than usual these terms and began to develop a richer understanding of open and flexible learning which provided an influential basis for my subsequent practice

In this keynote I clarified (for myself) the meaning of 'open' in learning:

The 'open' can refer to:

• entry criteria: 'are you equipped' rather than 'are you certificated'
• or choice of: when we learn, how we learn and at what pace we learn

and I developed clarity about flexible learning too:

Flexible Learning aims to motivate students to learn effectively by:

• identifying individual learning needs throughout the learning process;
• meeting these needs by ensuring that a variety of learning activities, environments and resources are accessible to learners;
• giving students increasing responsibility for their own learning.

According to the EATE Research Report 3 "Flexible Learning in Initial Teacher Education" July 1992 Employment Department, it is defined as:

• making personal action plans, increasing ownership, involvement, motivation and appropriateness;
• individual and small group tutoring, to identify the range of options appropriate to the learner’s style and task;
• recording and reflective writing to help students identify learning;
• continuous assessment identifying strengths and weaknesses to inform progress and planning;
• managing time, resources and people for efficiency and effectiveness.