Talking about flexibility; I stumbled on a news item about South African students following lessons by their mobile phones. Because of a teacher’s strike, math lessons are provided by mobile phones, so students can (despite the strike) prepare for their exams. Students can get the lessons through SMS services or get the information through a website.
I think this is a creative way to support flexible learning, although I am not sure if it works. For instance, students need to be motivated enough to keep following the lessons and I am not sure if there is some way the students can ask questions. Strong is that there really is a need (students need to prepare to pass) and that is what might be one of the important factors that makes it work. Another strong point is that the information is cheap and fast (10 euro cents for 1000 messages).
Hi Maaike,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenInteresting subject!
A first thought is about social context. Why did the teachers strike. When flexible learning is about breaking strikes by ict it seems not such a good idea. So somehow "flexible" should be linked to context? I am not sure, but maybe someone else has a more clear idea on this?
Jan
Interesting point made by Jan... first there was no education because of the strike and than suddenly there is education (and therefore no strike?) because of ict. They could have offered the students the flexibility to take their exams later, that would have been an interesting kind of flexibility!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt is, indeed, an interesting topic. I do agree with Jan. Its implementation depends on the context. Meaning that the school must be sure that all the students have mobile phone. Secondly, the mobile phone used must have the same type at least. As certain symbols in one mobile phone can be read differently by another type of phone. So, we have to "watch out" of these factors
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