Flexible Learning Essay

Education is a broadly debated topic, now there is a new concept emerging, pliant teaching. This essay allow handle what is understood by this term and how it could affect the way of the future in program line. Furthermore it will discuss how limber encyclopedism has shut offd applied science and how it has made procreation more get atible and equit fit. Next it will license how individual bookmans have benefited done the enjoyment of applied science with whippy discipline, and how students ar able-bodied to be the central centralize of their own discipline.Technology brings with it more advantages for the future of education, however non without some setbacks, this essay will besides discuss these. This essay will argue that beca do of the increasing accessibility and improvements in technology, limber learning should be the way of the future in education. conciliative learning is quickly becoming the way of the future for education, as it engages and imp lements the use of sophisticated technology. correspond to George and Luke (cited in Andrews & Ferman 2001) flexible learning is a multi-directional procession to learning using different methods of delivery.On the other hand, Nunan (cited in Andrews & Ferman 2001, p. 2) considers that flexible delivery is a good deal taken to mean the same thing as increasing flexibility in learning. Summarising Harmes (2010) explains flexible learning engages technology, allowing the use of the internet, e-mail, and other digital interactive technology. It in any case allows the student to freely access online lectures and train material and more importantly it enables teachers to position the student as the central focus of the learning experience.This tramp be seen at universities including the comparatively new University of Queensland campus at Ipswich who atomic number 18 using technology to promote flexible learning. It was in fact the purpose built with this in mind and include compu ter rooms, a self-directed learning centre and even radio set laptops (Andrews&Ferman 2001). A nonher example of flexible learning is discussed by Huijser, Bedford and Bull (2008) who come across the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) this is a course which is accessed online and on-campus.TPP students can engage in online lectures, Wimba classrooms and forums, contain material can also be submitted online and feedback returned to student, over again online. Using technology students have engaged in flexible learning all over Australia, including international students. Furthermore TPP is currently funded by the disposal making it free this allows students to prep ar for higher study prior to investment. The resultant role of this should be a higher intake of fee paying students, which in turn should lead to increase government funding for universities.Flexible learning through technology has made education more kindly and thusly equitable. Harmes (2010) discusses how the in ternet has increased the number of students to able to study degrees through online study material and lectures. As a result of technological advances the world has call on a global village and students can participate in a global classroom. Worldwide opportunities using technology and flexible learning should be funded locally (Zhao 2009).Ultimately this will enable there to be propinquity through distance, and will allow students to study anymagazine and anywhere, thus making education more equitable explains Harmes (2010). There are students from as far away as remote Western Australia studying through the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). They are able to access all the lectures and tutorials online, and USQ plans to offer many another(prenominal) more academician programs online by 2012 (The Chronicle 2009). Technology is the tool used to provide a facility for a teacher facilitated, bookman centred environment (Bonanno, 2005).It is only through the many improvements and advances in technology that education has been so accessible and with it flexible learning has been implemented. Flexible learning has made education more accessible because, study is teacher facilitated and enables the student to be positioned as the central focus of education. According to Harmes there are many benefits of flexible learning, students are able to access their study any time they like, and this means that they are able to co-ordinate study around work and family life. The flexibility that technology provides has enabled students to study at their own pace (Andrews Ferman, 2001).Additionally students have a mind of emancipation with their study, slotting it in whenever they please. Knowles (cited in Choy and Delahaye 2002) researched how adult learners are more belike to be motivated and experienced in life, and that they are ready to cut through learning with deeper appreciation and understanding. Knowles (1973) continues by discussing how this self-driven l earning is assisted through flexible delivery and how students benefit from a mature independent approach to education with the option for teacher help when needed.As a result of this Bonanno suggests that with pro lay down self-discipline and time management students are able to have freedom and access to study anytime and place, thus enabling many styles of learning. Technology has increased the flexibility that students have, thus allowing greater access to education. Despite the fact that education has embraced technology, there are still some problems which must be resolved. According to Ralston (1999) it appears that although many have embraced technology for learning, there are still many who are either too afraid to or do not have the skills and confidence to do so.Furthermore he suggests that that those who do not attempt to engage technology will be severely disadvantaged, because the ordinal century is the age of technology. Andrews and Ferman (2000) noted on their stud y of the University of Queensland, -Ipswich campus that many students found the course material limited, that there was a lack of structure, and there were also a significant number of technical difficulties.Additionally Bonanno (2005) discusses some of the disadvantages of technology and states that the learner can easily lose motivation partly overdue to a lack of classroom spirit and teacher facilitated learning. Technology can be out of date or difficult to understand and often it can be confusing and sometimes it can just be that there is no technical protrude available. Bonannos (2005) comments that many problems occurring are learner related and that in order to be successful the learner must be self-motivated and have a reasonable degree of self-competency.She also comments that the facilitator or teacher must be motivated as head and be able to produce engaging study material for the student to work with they must also be able to direct, listen and support students. Desp ite some complications, changes in technology help to make legitimate education is more accessible and equitable. Universities are able to capture larger numbers of students enabling more funding from the government. Students are able to be in control of their own education pathway and are able to be flexible about when and where they recognize to study.Students can also choose to study gregariously in online classrooms and even traditional classrooms. Problematic areas will in time be improved as technology upgrades on a daily basis including faster internet options. With this evolving technology slews knowledge and experience will increase and in time student numbers and study options will grow. It is realistic that flexible learning will be and indeed should be the way of the future in education and that there will be a worldwide classroom.