Distance, Blended and Flexible Learning
The Teaching Centre encourages staff to recognise and use different approaches to teaching, including non-traditional approaches, such as distance, blended or flexible learning.
Distance learning is the supported delivery of a significant proportion of a programme, course or module to learners remote from the University campus either all or part of the time.
Blended learning is a combination of e-learning and traditional face-to-face delivery.
Flexible learning is a broad term that refers to learner-centred approaches that free up the place and time for learning through use of self-study materials and remote communication with other learners or teachers. It can include e-learning.
E-learning provision is supported by the E-learning Team now based in the Teaching Centre. Please contact Charles Shields (Ext. 222405) for further information, or look at the E-learning Blog or the Staff Room on Learn. You can also view the University's E-learning Strategy and E-learning Implementation Plan.
Staff in the Teaching Centre are able to offer a wide range of expertise and support to colleagues developing modules for distance or flexible learning, including:
- A central information point for distance learning provision
- Pedagogical guidance to staff developing learning resources and activities
- Identification of appropriate delivery platforms
- Provision of staff development support, integrating pedagogical and technical support and training
- Facilitation of a 'community of practice' for networking and sharing of good practice, including an electronic discussion forum and thrice-yearly lunch-time meetings.
If you are designing a module or programme for distance learning delivery then it needs to be approved by the Distance Learning Co-ordinator before submission to the Curriculum Sub-Committee. The distance learning flow chart can be used to assist in classifying a module as distance learning.
The University's Distance Learning Co-ordinator is Carol Newbold. Please contact Carol if you want to discuss any aspect of distance learning at Loughborough, including inclusion on the electronic discussion form.