Reference is made in Flexible Pedagogies: part-time learners and learning in higher education to a selection of case studies that illustrate how flexible pedagogies have been developed to support the needs of part-time learners.
This case study illustrates how digital technologies have been drawn upon to engage part-time learners who are geographically widespread.
Newman University
The MSc programme in Clinical Applications of Psychology comprises six taught modules taught sequentially over two years and includes a research methods module and dissertation. It is delivered and assessed online using the institution’s virtual learning environment (VLE) – Moodle. Students are required to attend a one-day face-to-face campus-based programme induction prior to the commencement of the first module. The programme operates over the academic year and students can choose to study during the day in the evening or at the weekend. Studying online enables students to be geographically widespread and gives them the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for them. The programme is underpinned by both synchronous and asynchronous learning and teaching methods (e.g. discussion forum and live chat rooms). It has been designed around notions of ‘experiential’ learning with students expected to play an active part in each module of the programme. Each module is embedded with practical aspects to enable students to apply theory into a practical context.
