Flexible learning – join our network groups to help define our journey

27 May 2021

We'd like to get feedback from academic and PS colleagues to explore how we can start to embed flexible learning

Following approval of the ’first steps to flexible learning’ paper by Senate earlier this month, the Flexible Learning Programme team is excited to progress its work to embed flexible learning across the University, acknowledging that this will be a gradual process and will require the right tools, guidance and infrastructure to do so successfully.

We’re looking to our colleagues to help us explore our requirements – you’ll know best what you might need to make this move to flexible, blended learning a success for your students and your particular subject, or area of expertise. We want to draw on your knowledge and experience to ensure that anything we put in place is the right fit.

We’d therefore like to invite colleagues to join us in one or more network groups, as we explore a number of different themes and questions:

Network group themes

• Assessment – how can we make best use of digital technologies to design inclusive assessments that prepare our graduates for their future careers?
• Accessibility – how do we ensure all teaching is accessible and inclusive by design?
• Training and skills – how can we ensure staff and students have the skills they need to get the most out of flexible teaching and learning?
• Technology (software and hardware) – what technologies and tools will we require to make flexible and blended learning a success?
• Space on campus – how will we have to adapt our spaces on campus in a blended learning environment?
• Innovation – a space for radical, creative ideas: what will flexible learning look like in 10, 20, or 50 years’ time?

How you can get involved

We’d like to invite academic and PS colleagues to take part in our Flexible Learning network groups on the above themes - whether you’re a new starter or have lots of experience working at our University. To register your interest, simply complete our sign-up form (this will take around three minutes). You can also sign up to participate in multiple themes, though do note the outline commitment, as detailed below for each theme.

What to expect

We’re asking colleagues to commit a maximum of eight hours between July and October. This is made up of four facilitated workshops, as well as time spent outside of meetings. We will also be running student workshops to understand their concerns and listen to their ideas. Student partners will be working alongside staff to ensure that our students’ views are fully and equally considered.

We know this has been an incredibly busy year for our colleagues and we are hugely grateful to anyone who would like to get involved. We can’t make this next step a success without continuing to work in partnership with our staff and students.

Thank you for your support!

Dan and Steve

Professor Dan George, Associate Vice-President for Blended Learning
Professor Steve Pettifer, University Academic Lead for Digital Learning

• Watch Professor April McMahon talk more about our flexible, blended future