Terms of Reference

To establish a Flexible Learning Implementation Committee (FLIC) to operate from 2002 – 2004, which will operate in accordance with the 'Guidelines for Working Parties Established by Academic Council and its Sub-Committees' and have:

1. Oversight of the transition process and be responsible for the activities outlined in Section 5.2 of the working party report, among them:

• Developing a coordinated plan for the transition period.
  
• Identifying the strategic investments required to accomplish the transition to the new model and prepare a strategic funding proposal for SEG.
  
• Working with academics and the TLC to identify a limited number of "model units" from a variety of discipline-types. These units to be redesigned by coordinators with assistance from the TLC (thereby allowing the model to be refined, problems and issues identified and resolved, and comparative costing of the 'before and after' unit package).
  
• Convene an educational design project to consider the issue of flexible learning in first year and foundation units.
  
• Liaise with the TLC to develop instructional design and unit materials templates. The template to include a sample study guide web page and appropriate educational tools.
  
• Liase with ITS, the library and the TLC re the options for managing the on-line components of the new unit model.
  
• Liaise with ITS and the Library re exploring the feasibility of using the data network to produce near-real-time off-campus access to lectures instead of audio tapes. Such a study to include both technical and infrastructure issues, back up provisions in the event of failure, and the provision of copying/distribution facilities, especially for off-campus students with inadequate internet access.
  
• Consult with Divisions and Schools to develop plans for the progressive conversion of suitable units, and to identify units that are unable to be offered flexibly.
  
• Consult with Divisions about how they might best invest in enhanced QA support for Academic staff, to ensure that the decline in quality of materials is arrested.1.
  
• Identify the generic components of study guides (standard unit information about plagiarism, sexist language, grading systems and appeal mechanisms) and liaise with the MurdochNet Management Committee to identify, and as necessary generate, the appropriate sites for such material to be located and the 'Custodians of Content' responsible for maintaining them.
  
• Liaise with ESO staff, Student administration, the Bookshop and other relevant stakeholders to identify any changes to unit materials preparation and distribution deadlines required by the new model.
  
• Liaise with the TLC to identify staff development needs and develop a plan to address these.
  
• Contribute to the development of plans for the new Student Service Centre (whether Option 1 or 2).
  
• Initiate, with facilities management, a process to assess the space and equipment needs of the University over the next 10 years with respect to flexible learning.
  
• Continue to collaborate with RESC to ensure an accommodation between the re-engineering and transition processes.
  
• Following Council's consideration of a report from the Unit Enrolment Options Working Party liaise with the responsible bodies to ensure implementation of necessary changes in the 2003 academic planning exercise for introduction in 2004.
  
• Based on the comparative costing of unit materials; an estimate of the cost saving to the university of providing unit materials free of charge to off-campus students only; and any other relevant information, prepare for SEG a paper outlining the cost benefit of the new model.
  
• Bring to Council as needed any relevant resolutions arising from any of the above matters.
  

2. Representative from (President's Nomination)
   Division of Academic Affairs
   Division of Science & Engineering
   Divisional Executive Officer
   Teaching & Learning Centre
   Division of Arts
   Division of Health Sciences
   Director of Central Student Administration
   Director of Library Services
   Guild Education Vice President (or nominee)
   
   The Committee may co-opt other persons as they see fit.