1 Working Model for Flexible Learning
The BVA Flexible Learning Working Group met regularly as our institutions emerged into a recovery phase after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, begininning with informal sharing of information related to evolving institutional definitions, policy and program initiatives related to online learning. Based on structured conversations the participants of the BVA Flexible Learning working group conceptualized a model for mapping a range of activities that influence the success of initiatives in this domain, shown in Fig 1 below.
Fig 1. Flexible Learning Conceptual Model
Instructor Support
Data collected showed instructor support activity in teaching centers may take several forms. Examples are provided in Table 1.
| Instructor Support | |
| Instructional Modality/Design | Research and Evaluation |
| Special programs/dept funding (instructor cohorts or fellows) |
Supporting SoTL for instructors (funding for research on teaching) |
| Faculty Development: -Workshop Programs; Design Institutes -Instructional Design Support -Self-Directed Resources |
Surveys: -Teaching practices -Student perceptions -Consultations and focus groups |
Table 1: Instructor Support Examples
Learner Development
Examples of learner development activities supporting flexible learning were also identified
| Learner Development | |
| Student Learning Support | Registrarial Infrastructure and Academic Advising |
| Digital Literacy workshops Support for OER (teaching practice, resources, textbook assessment) Increasing support for student wellness/EDI/Accessibility |
Definition of flexible course modalities Course mode offering in registration systems Student central support hub/navigation |
References
The model also draws on the literature for examples from a pre-pandemic environment that informed our work and analysis:
Digital Transformation in Higher Education: 7 Areas for Enhancing Digital Learning
https://er.educause.edu/articles/2022/9/digital-transformation-in-higher-education-7-areas-for-enhancing-digital-learning
Planning for a Blended Future
https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/tools/planning-for-a-blended-future/
Driving, sustaining and scaling up blended learning practices
https://innovationeducation.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s42862-019-0002-0.pdf