Activity 2

Finally getting around to the blog after all my fine intentions of catching up over the holidays went unfulfilled. So here it is week 2 activity. I managed to have a chat with Cheryl before the holidays about what flexible learning means to us.

What does flexible learning mean to me??

I have taken a few different courses of study since leaving school in varied formats; none of these courses were the conventional face to face lecture hall arrangement.

 I took a Naturopathy course straight out of school a roll on roll off ‘correspondence course’ as it was known in those days. Very flexible at the time. The only entry requirement on the brochure advertising the course was that entrants must be 21 years of age. I contacted the school and this requirement was waived in a phone conversation. As a private college in its early days I suspect that the only requirement really was an ability to pay the fees.  Reams of paper in the post, self managed study, twice yearly residential block courses and work experience hours to be filled. As a 17 year old it was difficult to stay motivated and on track, especially as the years wore on. A big cramming session to pass the exams each year and a lot of partying as I recall The final research project sat on my back burner for a number of years. The most value I got from the course was out of a fantastic work placement. I was fortunate to meet a remarkable mentor who has remained a great source of learning for me in many fields.

I trained as a Veterinary Nurse in the UK. Although the course was not  conventional face to face learning it could not be described as highly flexible. Strict entry requirements in English maths and biology from school, although if these were not met a one year pre nursing  course was an option. We trained in practice, old school as human nurses used to be trained.  There was a requirement that a certain number of hours (from memory 2000) were completed in a veterinary practice that met standards dictated by the awarding body. A full time job in a training practice was required. These were like hens teeth.   We attended residential block courses on set dates three times a year, completed a (large) portfolio of evidence in practice, we were mentored and assessed by a senior nurse at work. At the end of each year scary external examinations, theory and practical. Although this course was not big on flexibility I would describe it as effective. It produced a high standard of graduate, not only work ready but with jobs already. Starting was the most difficult part, later as a head nurse I advertised for a student VN and got 57 replies.

More recently I studied Breastfeeding Counselling with the National Childbirth Trust (parenting charity in the UK)  and University of Bedfordshire. The aim of this course was to train counsellors for the NCT national breastfeeding helpline This course has been set up to suit mothers of young children and was highly flexible. The only entry requirement was to have breastfed a baby for 6 months. It was roll on roll off with capacity for taking breaks around newborns and family dramas. Self paced study with optional Sunday workshops once a month (babies welcomed). The only real requirement was 2 weekend workshops held in England (a hassle for the Northern Irish contingent with young children although we were able to take our babies along with a caregiver) but they were looking at running these locally. Staying motivated was the main issue for most of the women on the course, busy with young families and whatever else. The Sunday workshops did help to keep the group focused. There was an internet forum for those inclined to post on internet, tutors available anytime by email or phone and numerous coffee groups and meetings, social events and the like. Although many women took five years or more to finish we were kept on track by our peers and tutors and enabled to find our own learning situation within the course.

These courses were each flexible in different ways, some more so some less. My response to all of them was the same.  Theory in short bursts of intense activity late at night, text book and in front of a computer, or with text book and pen and paper for the first one (yes it was that long ago). Practical by doing, on the job. I have my way of learning, it is old school, it works for me and I make it fit whatever way the course is set up. Flexible learning is about providing choice, not only for the reader writers like myself whom the old school education system embraces but for everyone.