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Centre for Flexible Learning
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Integrate flexible learning
The adoption of flexible learning affects the entire cycle of curriculum design, development, implementation and evaluation. The Centre for Flexible Learning provides extensive services in support of the entire cycle.
Educational and curriculum design
The first step in developing flexible learning programs is an educational needs analysis to identify:
Teaching issues
- teaching aims and learning outcomes
- the most appropriate teaching methods
- work requirements and learning resources
- assessment methods
Student issues
- specific characteristics and learning needs of students
Access issues
- student ownership of computers and other equipment
- access to on-campus facilities
- off-campus access and the provision of Internet accounts
- safety net provisions to ensure students are not disadvantaged
Technical issues
- equipment, hardware and software that needed to teach, deliver and access programs and resources
- the equipment, hardware and software that will be needed to develop resources
These factors will affect the design of the flexible learning program and resources. The Centre's Educational Developers (cfl-educ@mq.edu.au) can assist in conducting an appropriate educational needs analysis.
Resource development
Planning and Funding: The development of resources can be both time consuming and costly. Multimedia and web-based materials in particular require a team approach with input from a variety of areas which may include content experts, graphics and instructional designers, computer programmers and multimedia developers.
The Provost Office administers the learning and teaching grant schemes. It also provides information on the national Learning and Teaching Grants schemes offered through the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching. Details of these schemes can be found at:
http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/activities/grants.html
For enquiries, please contact Barb McLean on:
Phone - Ext. 9957 or
Email - barb.mclean@vc.mq.edu.au
The Centre's Educational Developers (cfl-educ@mq.edu.au) can provide assistance in developing business plans and/or project proposals.
Instructional design: Emergence of the Internet and multimedia technologies bring a wider range of technologies that can be utilised for instructional purposes. The new technologies provide greater choices in the media elements that can be used, the way in which content can be structured and navigated, the control users have over the pathways through the material, the types of feedback that can be given and the interactivity that can be included. The Centre's Educational Developers (cfl-educ@mq.edu.au) are available to work with academics to resolve these and other design issues.
Copyright: It is important for both ethical and legal reasons to recognise the legal rights of owners of copyright under copyright legislation. It is important to note that copyright restrictions are different (and in many ways more severe) in a digital environment than with conventional media. Copyright issues should be resolved in the early stages of the developmental process. Consult the Macquarie University Guidelines (http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au/), or seek advice from CFL.
Production: The Centre's Media Production Services can provide expertise in all areas of media production. The production of educational resources may require the coordination of a number of different services so it is advisable for large projects to have a project manager to coordinate production and liaise with academics. The Centre's Educational Developers (cfl-educ@mq.edu.au) are available to coordinate production of projects developed within the Centre
Delivery and Implementation
Delivery: The Centre provides both online and classroom services in support of the delivery of teaching program and materials. The Online Learning @ MQ (http://online.mq.edu.au/) provides a hosting and delivery mechanism for Internet-based teaching material. Audiovisual Technical Services provides technical and operational support for on-campus teaching including lecture room facilities, recording of lectures and loan of equipment.
Student and staff support: The introduction of flexible learning and IT-based resources will require new approaches to teaching and learning. Both students and staff may need assistance in accommodating these new approaches.
Students may need training and support in technical skills associated with hardware and software as well as skills to manage their own learning. Support is provided by the following:
- the Library's Information Technology Training Unit (http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/training/) runs training sessions for students on general computing and internet skills
- Student IT Help (http://www.sith.mq.edu.au/) provides technical support from 9am to 4am
- Online Learning @ MQ (http://online.mq.edu.au/) provides student documentation and maintains a web site which provides information and help with access and technical problems.
Teaching staff may require professional development in technical skills relating to new technologies as well as pedagogical issues. The Centre provides a number of training and support sessions in support of online teaching. In addition, the Centre contributes to programs run by the Centre for Professional Development (http://www.cpd.mq.edu.au/) and other University wide professional development activities in flexible learning methodologies and the use of technology in teaching.
Evaluation
Evaluation is an important component of any teaching development project. CFL's Educational Services staff and staff from the Teaching Evaluation Development Service, CPD, can provide advice on evaluation and assist in the development of surveys.