Your own impressions of an historical context for flexible learning generally
My own thinking around the historical context of flexible learning has lead me down a few winding paths which i hope i can discuss in this blog without being too 'confusing'. As per my first blog i strongly believe that flexible learning is not a new concept. And whilst i have got my head around the fact that flexi learning isn't online learning! and i did find the Ellis et al article 2006 around teachers concepts of blended learning enlightening to say the least. I found myself selecting which category i aligned with and i clearly identified with the Category A group in the teachers perception of student learning. ie: that Blended learning critically investigates changes in the world around us. "Application of learning experiences to real world situations are exemplified, often at unexpected places or times. Relating learning to the daily lives of students and future professional aspirations is a feature of this category of conception." this is totally congruent with my area of teaching in that i am wanting to assist students to the links between theory knowledge and their own clinical nursing experiences. It appears to be the most student focused perspective which again had a sythesis for me.
In the section on teachers perspective on teaching i saw congruence withCategory B: Blended teaching as developing student understanding through aligning media to intended learning outcomes. I have already given some thought to the focus of my intended project and to me it is essential that i consider what type of technology i utilise in my online content and how this will impact on learner engagement.
Comment on how you think flexible learning exists today and where you see it is heading in the future.
My thinking is that there is no going back...in many instances the development of of new multimedia technologies and the educational/ academic institutions worldwide trend to attract more 'learners' had made it a requirement for most teachers/ educators to begin to think about how they can reach and teach more effectively. The consideration of the learning needs of the Baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y learners needs to be accounted for. Check out some interesting research that i found whilst surfing this topic on Engaging Millenials and Answering Baby Boomers Tales from a Gen X Technology researcher
Better keep typing ...a few more weeks commenting to catchup with.
1 comment:
Mereana you are so right - there is no going back. Using flexible approaches will make it fun for you to help students make links between theory knowledge and their own clinical nursing experiences - and fun for them as well.
Nothing like visual and audio material to help liven up learning - you will need to be able to capture the enthusiasm and passion you convey in the f2f classroom.
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