An analysis of flexible learning and flexibility over the last 40 years of Distance Education

George Veletsianos, Shandell Houlden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, we report the major themes we identified in the literature surrounding flexible learning that has been published in Distance Education over the last 40 years. We identified six themes: the qualities of flexibility as affording “anytime, anyplace” learning; flexibility as pedagogy; liberatory or service-oriented aspects of flexibility; limitations of flexibility, especially in terms of technology, the constraints of time and space, as well as cultural differences; flexibility as a quality needed by instructors and instructional designers themselves; and critiques of flexibility as a concept. These themes suggest a complex understanding of flexibility, and one that could support future teaching and scholarly endeavours.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)454-468
Number of pages15
JournalDistance Education
Volume40
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, © 2019 Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia, Inc.

Keywords

  • anytime anyplace learning
  • distance education
  • flexibility
  • flexible education
  • online learning

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