About

At its March 2002 meeting Academic Council accepted the report of the Working Party on External Studies and Flexible Delivery and adopted its recommendations for a new approach to flexible teaching and learning. In brief this involves replacing the old delivery "modes" - internal, external and on-line - with a new model of a unit in which the single coherent package of unit materials allow all students flexibility of access to the unit. The new unit package will consist of a reduced/streamlined print component, judicious use of complementary online (with the potential to expand into a fuller use of online for those who wish it) and face to face sessions in which lectures are delivered in near real time to off-campus students through various technologies.

The implications of such a shift are far-reaching and complex, but the proposed change is more cost effective (in terms of both time and resources), is in keeping with trends in teaching and learning pedagogies, and will enable the university to continue to deliver flexible learning to on- and off-campus students, despite increased resource constraints.

The full report of the Working Party can be found at: http://www2.murdoch.edu.au/admin/cttees/ac/2002/march/ESFDC%20Final%20Report.doc. All academic staff are encouraged to read Section 4 which sets out the principles and explores the implications of shifting to this new model of a unit. It is intended that the new model will become the "cultural standard" for the university. This does not mean all units will be able to be 'accessed flexibly' by students (not all units are able to be offered flexibly) but over the next 3-5 years the university will undertake a phased transition such that firstly, all units currently available (or proposed for offer) in multiple modes will convert to the new model, and over the longer term all units will take this form, even if there are restrictions on students' access (eg compulsory on-campus attendance).

Council established a Flexible Learning Implementation Committee (FLIC) to oversee the transition to the new unit model and any subsidiary changes to systems and processes which flow from it. In 2004, the Committee was expanded in membership and scope to better coordinate the implementation of flexible learning at Murdoch.

Current Terms of Reference

Membership

Dr Rick Cummings (Chair)
Dr Angus Morrison-Saunders (Deputy Chair)
Mrs Helen Bartlett
Dr Suzanne Dziurawiec
Ms Eden Ridgeway
Mr David Harrison
Ms Kate Lowe
Ms Jean McKay
Dr Rob Phillips
Mr Chris Foley
Ms Kay Wright (Secretary)

Focus of FLIC

Terms of Reference 2002-2004 – Archived

Download the FLIC powerpoint presentation file – presented at Divisional Meetings during 2002

FLIC letter to Unit Coordinators – September 2003