I have chosen option a) for this week and am going to write a critique of the Aoraki Polytechnic charter.
Aoraki is a regional provider based in Timaru, with satellite campuses in Christchurch, Ashburton, Oamaru and Dunedin(where I am based). The first bit of flexibility that I can identify without even looking at the charter is the fact that we have sites in 5 locations; 3 of which would be classed as rural - giving flexibility in location for studies to some degree.
The charter is accessed from the Aoraki Web site it is listed here as a draft for consultation, but I am sure that not much has been changed in regards to flexible learning ideas.
One of the first key strengths identified in the charter is: "We are one of the youngest and smallest polytechnics in New Zealand. We focus on being flexible, adaptable and able to respond quickly to the changing and future educational needs of our communities and the growing abilities of individuals. We pride ourselves on creating joint initiatives that encourage students to maximise their learning. Personalised support is a key feature appreciated by all students"
This statement is quite broad in its range and for me doesn't identify clearly enough how Aoraki is able to be flexible in educational practise; I would like to see more emphasis on the how Aoraki is flexible rather than the "we are flexible" type of statement.
The charter goes on to talk about "collaborative associations", innoviative training solutions;"accessible programmes" and "lifetime educational opportunities"
and states "We work proactively to provide a range of flexible learning options for learners in rural and dispersed communities" - but doesn't actually state how this occurs - what are the innoviative training solutions and flexible learning options for the rural community?
On page 8 of the charter - the title 'inclusive' is used - I like this as a thought for our flexible learning ideas - as many of us are finding our feet with the technology side of things we are probably focussing a lot on flexibility meaning "on-line" - Minhaaj one of the other course participants interviewed Leigh and that was one of the comments raised from his interview. I am trying to broaden my thinking to the "big picture flexible learning" idea and think that inclusion is certainly a form of flexible learning.
The main statement reagarding flexible learning is as follows:
"Flexible learning options
We offer a range of flexible learning options for particular programmes and individual courses. These include distance learning programmes such as the Certificate in Childbirth Education and the Certificate in Complementary Therapies that are offered through distance learning modules. We are also currently developing programmes for blended delivery and online e-learning in a variety of subjects e.g. business, computing modules customer service. Some courses are provided to industry and businesses on-site and are adapted to meet particular requirements. All courses and programmes progress through robust approval, evaluation and review processes to ensure they remain relevant, accessible and of a high quality."
Another broad and generalising statement without any real substance to flexibility. I am going to see if I can meet up with one of the tutors from the programmes identified above for my interview - this might then help me in my own flexible learning plan.
The charter to me seems a little lacking in definition on what flexible learning is to Aoraki and how Aoraki is going to be able to achieve more flexibility in learning and education; I will wait and see if we have any new information at our full staff training day next week!
I like this from Gideon Burton
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