Activity Two

I enjoyed the class on “What is Flexible Learning” and below is my answers to the four questions on Flexible Learning:

What does the term Flexible Learning mean to me?

The term “Flexible Learning” is really about having a multidimensional approach to facilitating learning.  This does not exclude more traditional methods of teaching, but is really about being equipped with a variety of teaching methods and resources that can be used where and when is convenient for the stakeholders of the learning.

It is also about the environment and structures that surround the learning and how convenient and efficient they are for the stakeholders of the learning.  The stakeholders include the educational institution, the associated government departments, the learners, the industry, the surrounding communities (including cultural), the learning facilitators, and related family groups.

It is about utilising the best pedagogical approaches for the various situations and fully considering all the stakeholders.

Flexible does not necessary mean regularly varying the learning, but it is more of having the right “course for the horse”, to reverse an old saying.  I’m not saying all our learners are old nags.

Why is it necessary to use a more flexible approach in my work?

Because everything keeps changing.  The industry changes, the environments change, the learners and their situations change, the structures of society change, the governments requirements change, the resources available to us change, collective understanding of learning changes, my hair colour changes, nothing remains the same.  Some of these changes happen gradually over time, while other changes can happen over a day or even a learning session. We need to be able to adjust to these changes when we are facilitating learning. 

A lot of these changes are exciting.  The methods and tools that I can now use when facilitating learning, I would never have thought I would have at my disposal ten years ago. 

The most important aspect of needing to have a flexible approach is the needs of the learners.  They must be central in the learning and yet they never naturally stay there.  It takes effort and flexibility to keep them there.

What do I need to explore to help this happen?

The short answer is everything.  From a programme managers point of few it is about the first contact with possible learners, the structures in place to support learners to begin learning, the ongoing support structures in place for learners, the design of the programme and courses, the structure of the learning environments (this includes outside contact time), the involvement and support of the various stakeholders, financing resources, facilitators having access to professional development, support and communication networks, feedback from stakeholders, evaluation, change processes.  To name a few.

From a learning facilitators point of few it is about having access to more resources, the appropriate application of those resources, learning more “best practices”, networking with other facilitators (broadening my horizons), obtaining better understanding of the learners I have, training, better time management, building support networks, being a learner, thinking creatively, methods of releasing and regaining control, not being set in my ways, not being set in new ways, listening to other stakeholders.  To name a few.

It is about being open to change but balancing all the stakeholders’ needs.

What goals do I have for using Flexible Learning in my work?

I want a lot more of the learners saying “but that would mean......”.  The ability to take in what they are learning and start applying it beyond my instruction.

I want to have bystanders wanting to become part of the learning environments that I facilitate because they look interesting and exciting.

I want to stand back and watch groups of learners forgetting about Facebook and Youtube as they are so engrossed in the task they are doing.

I want more application / learning by doing, rather than me talking (even though I do like the sound of my own voice, it has a deep sensual quality).

I want to be better equipped to offer what is needed, where it is needed, when it is needed, in the way it is needed.

I want, my want, to line with what my stakeholders want, but for it to be achievable.

I want to be part of changing peoples life’s for the better through their whole learning experience.