Sunday, April 27, 2008

Week 3 -6 !! I'm in catchup mode

Wk 3: March 17-March 30:
Why we need flexible learning?
Do we need more flexible learning, or is all this choice a bad idea?

Absolutely, i think that any initiatives that improve access to education and knowledge must be good. Reading through some of the articles'comments from Leigh's postings around the topic if found myself reconsidering the historical approaches which have been utilised to deliver the nursing education in NZ. The apprenticeship model which was utilised up until the late 1980's was one which relied heavily on the participatory models of learning ie: learning on the job, hands on. Indispersed was the theory knowledge which underpinned the practical experiences which nurses were having.

The transition to the Tertiary sector in the late 80's saw the focus change to being a more structured approach ensuring that students had the opportunity to gain theory knoweldge and skill acquisition (via simulated clinical clajavascript:void(0)ssrooms) before entering the clinical environment. In many ways this transition did provide more flexibility in learning but much of this flexibility was limited (and is still is to a greater or lesser extent) by the educator's knoweldge and experience with the core business of educating. Many nurse educators whilst having expert practice knowledge may not always posses the knowledge skills and qualifications to be an effective teacher/educator. there is vigorous debate amongst our profession about the how nurses should be educated = some of these discussions appear on the NETS site (Nurse Executives in the Tertiary Sector) and provide a wider context to the influences that impact on educators like myself who are working within this sector.

Back to the topic.
why do we need flexible learning? Increasing the ability for undergraduate and post graduate nurses to complete course work at a pace/time to suit their lifestyles would support this approach. 94% of the nursing workforce in NZ are female. Median age is 40-45yrs. Many of these will have family /home comittments that mean that participating edcuation in the 'tradtional' 9-5pm monday to friday option would not be a desirable option Some recent statistics give some more details
offering studnets the opportunity to participate in a range of flexible learning option would be advantageous for them.

Just some thoughts....

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Week 2

Is flexible learning a new concept or just a fancy new word for an old way of doing? (Remember to back your response up with references or evidence.)

I'm a believer that the broad concept of flexible (or learner centred) learning has been around for centuries. Many cultures (and in some instances still do) ensure that the learners needs are central to the learning process. For example: Pre contact Maori society had a highly developed educational system and whilst knoweldge was deemed to be collective learning was always conducted in an environment which ensure the 'mana' integrity /authority of the learner. Obviously this approach was in direct conflict the the introduction of state education into NZ in the early part of 19th century. Wharehuia Hemara provides an excellenet context to this information in his publication he notes. The legacy of it ironically has bought us back to re examination of such approaches in such courses as GCLT.

What are you already doing in your practice that you believe enables flexible learning?
I guess i could be coy and say this course...however, i consider the use of emails, blackboard to be the extent of electronic medium related activities. Face to face facilitation would be the use of scenario based problem solving activities and small group work. Assessment methods such as seminar presentations also offer students with an opportunity to present their learning in another medium apart from writing.




Week 1 - I'm here!

albeit slightly late.
Thanks to Bronwyn H for the help with getting started.
Mereana's musings is open for business!

Just navigating around

LIke most of you i'm just experimenting with this technology.
My first attempt to have a hyperlink address within my posting.
Here goes.
www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

A second attempt to get this published!

mmm. maybe i've had a glitch happening ....or maybe I didn't read the instructions properly!!!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Kia ora everyone

Wow!
I finally made onto the Blog world. My first attempt and it went ok.
Greetings to everyone.
Looking forward to catching with you all out there in blog land.