Today's Chronicle of Higher Education Online
http://chronicle.com/teaching/books/2001092501b.htm
has a book review of:
Flexible Learning in a Digital World: Experiences and Expectations (Kogan
Page, 2001), by Betty Collis and Jef Moonen. $29.95.
By DANA SOBYRA
.....
What are some of the key dimensions of flexible learning? There is, of
course, a time component: dates for starting and finishing a course, the
pace of studying, and schedules for submitting assignments. In terms of
course content, students are given leeway in selecting the topics to be
covered and the way the course is taught -- for example, whether the
approach is from a theoretical or a practical perspective. Flexibility also
has to do with venue: Rather than a classroom setting, learning can take
place entirely at a distance. Or aspects of distance education, self-study,
and traditional face-to-face instruction can be combined to create a
personalized approach to education, corresponding to students' individual
needs.
......
needs of all these students will "require individualization of learning
experiences," the authors say, warning that "if higher-education
institutions do not respond to this changing demand from students, other
service providers will."