Flexibility in higher education: revisiting expectations

Collis, Betty and Moonen, Jef Flexibility in higher education: revisiting expectations. Revista Comunicar, 2010, vol. XIX, n. 37, pp. 15-25. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

We have studied the construct of flexibility in higher education for many years, as researchers and practitioners. In this context we define flexibility as offering the student choices in how, what, where, when and with whom he or she participates in learning-related activities while enrolled in a higher education institution. Now, ten years after publish a textbook about this subject, we will revisit key issues relating to flexibility in higher education, identify in broad terms the extent to which increased flexibility has become established, is still developing, or has developed in ways we did not anticipate directly a decade earlier. We will also review our scenarios for change in higher education related to flexibility and contrast these with a more-recent set from the UK. Our major conclusion is that flexibility is still as pertinent a theme for higher education in 2011 as it was in 2001.

Spanish abstract

Llevamos bastantes años estudiando la construcción de la flexibilidad en la educación superior, tanto desde la óptica de la investigación como de la práctica. Entendemos por flexibilidad la opción de ofrecer a los estudiantes la posibilidad de elegir cómo, qué, dónde, cuándo y con quién participan en las actividades de aprendizaje mientras están en una institución de educación superior. Diez años después de publicar un libro sobre la materia, revisamos los temas clave relacionados con la flexibilidad en la educación superior e identificamos, en términos generales, hasta qué punto se ha ido estableciendo el incremento de la flexibilidad, si todavía está evolucionando o si ha evolucionado de una forma que no pudimos prever hace diez años. Revisamos también nuestros escenarios para el cambio en la educación superior relacionados con la flexibilidad y los contrastamos con un estudio más reciente llevado a cabo en el Reino Unido. Nuestra conclusión principal es que la cuestión de la flexibilidad en la educación superior sigue siendo tan pertinente en 2010 como lo era en 2001.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Flexibility, higher education, learning technology, change, pedagogy. Flexibilidad, educación superior, tecnologías para el aprendizaje, pedagogía.
Subjects: B. Information use and sociology of information > BZ. None of these, but in this section.
C. Users, literacy and reading. > CZ. None of these, but in this section.
G. Industry, profession and education. > GH. Education.
Depositing user: Alex Ruiz
Date deposited: 31 Jan 2012
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:21
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/16546

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