Growth in Flexible Learning

Welcome to our Case Study on growth in flexible learning - that is:

• growth in community involvement in exploring the possibilities of flexible learning as a valid option to discreet classroom scenarios
• growth through recognition of the inherent and not immediately obvious informational benefits of Australian Flexible Learning Framework products, and
• growth in our organisational understanding of flexible learning in practice, together with the direction given for future flexible learning development as shown by the lessons learnt through this research opportunity.

Our study considered the growth potential for learners available through customised use of Australian Flexible Learning Framework tools and resources and how the vast range of resources might be utilised to address more than learning outcomes through their informational content. Our study sought to determine whether individuals, particularly young people, might be assisted through exploring toolboxes, in developing their views of futures in employment and to develop an understanding of learning options to achieve these goals. 
 

Introduction

The case study “Growth in Flexible Learning” has its core emphasis on the practical application of flexible learning for both young and adult learners. With the increasing globalisation of learning communities and the need to utilise resources available to their greatest potential in order to best respond to changing learner needs, we believe that the flexible learning approach presents distinct advantages. To achieve success in its application we see as essential a well-developed team of experienced and flexible teachers/ tutors, guided by effective, local research.

Much of our previous commitment to flexible learning has been projects undertaken which focussed on addressing social and emotional problems that could present a barrier to the learning process for young people. Consistent with this attention to the needs of youth, we have endeavoured to provide an evaluation of targeted, on-line and flexible learning to examine and clarify its ability to broaden and enhance career and further education options for young people. Our concerns to be addressed through this research include:

• the need for course material to be accessible to young people living in rural locations
• the need for practical assessment of the perceived advantages and/or disadvantages of on-line learning for rural youth
• an apparent lack of opportunities for guided exposure to the world of on-line learning
• shortfalls in opportunity to ‘taste’ vocations as the forming guides to career and further education options for rural youth
• a need to develop ‘seamlessness’ between initial education and further education and training and the determination of achievable further education options through flexible learning

For mature students participating in courses of high demand, including business, information technology, aged and disability work, and assessment and workplace training, flexible learning presents perhaps the greatest opportunity for self-directed learning in a-contextual settings. However, success in engaging mature learners requires clearly articulated projects which support the flexible learning endeavour. Some of the concerns prompting our research include:

• the need for course material to be accessible to people living in rural locations
• the need for practical assessment of the perceived advantages and/or disadvantages of on-line learning for rural persons
• an understanding that the provision of opportunities for guided exposure to the world of on-line learning will serve as an important supporting mechanism to current delivery strategies employed in our vocational education courses for rural people

With these points in mind, our aim in this project is to evaluate targeted, on-line and flexible learning to support traditional delivery strategies.