An update on blended, flexible learning

07 Jul 2021

Our approach for next year, and the future

Following some recent press coverage that has seriously misrepresented future plans for teaching and learning at our University, we have sent a message to students clarifying what “blended learning” means for them and their studies.

Blended, flexible learning in the future

“Blended learning” aims to augment in-person lectures, seminars, labs, discussions and workshops with high quality online self-study materials. It does not mean online-only teaching, and is very different from the emergency move to online learning that staff and students experienced during the pandemic.

Professor Steve Pettifer, deputy programme director for Flexible Learning, has produced a short video explaining our vision of what blended learning may look like in practice.

We know that Flexible Learning needs to work in different ways for different programmes - we are working in partnership with staff and students to ensure future plans enhance teaching and add value to students’ studies.

Professor Dan George, who is leading our Flexible Learning work, has been holding open meetings over the past months for staff and students to ensure the future approach is co-created by staff and students. We are also organising workshops for staff and students (we’ll share further details as soon as possible), as well as working with 26 Student Partner Interns. You can find out more about the programme on our Flexible Learning pages.

Please be assured that our shift to blended learning is not driven by financial motivations. Indeed, we have spent additional money and recruited more staff to support this future approach. Find out more in our recent article dispelling common myths about flexible and blended learning.

This coming academic year

While Flexible Learning is part of the University’s long-term strategy, we are also separately making plans for teaching and learning in the next academic year.

Since there may still be some government restrictions in place come September, we are planning both a socially distanced and non-socially distanced timetable. We are also offering many students the option to study remotely in Semester 1 (where their programme allows), in case they have difficulty returning to Manchester.

Programme teams emailed their current students in April and May, outlining what teaching and learning will look like on their course next year – and whether they have a remote study option for Semester 1. We have also sent this course-specific information to prospective students and offer holders.

Generally speaking, when students return to campus their studies will be a mixture of in-person on-campus activities, live online lectures and classes, and new recorded video content and other materials. This blended approach will help students study in a way that works for them, and allow us to respond as quickly as possible to any changes in restrictions over the coming months.

We’ll also continue to reopen in-person campus facilities wherever possible, to give students a vibrant on-campus experience when they return – this includes libraries and study spaces, sports facilities, support and wellbeing services, shared spaces in University accommodation, and in-person Welcome events.

Handling enquiries

Our communications team is answering enquiries about this topic on social media and by email where necessary.

If you receive any direct enquiries from students about their studies for the next academic year, the relevant School teaching and learning team should be able to help direct these to the appropriate programme team. They are best placed to answer specific queries, as teaching and learning delivery will vary between programmes.

If you have questions about the Flexible Learning programme or wish to get involved yourself, please contact the Flexible Learning team: avp-bl@manchester.ac.uk.