A introduction to Flexible Learning Plan developed for flexible learning course at otago polytechnic The plan relates to The National Certificate in Mental

1. Flexible Learning Plan
Hi everyone. My name
is Jenny Rudd. I’m
participating in the
Flexible Learning
Course at Otago
Polytechnic. I’m a
Lecturer in the School
of Social Services and
I’m here today to talk
about the flexible
learning plan I intend
to implement in the
National Certificate in
Mental Health Support
Work.

2. The National Certificate in Mental
Health Support Work is;
 A Full year Programme
 Unit standard based, 22 credits
 Currently 1 day contact per week over 34
weeks
 4 courses - Values, Knowledge, Skills
and Integration

3. Why Change!
 Professional development (PD) option
 Reduction in numbers accessing for PD
 Fairly high drop out rate for non PD
students
 Current delivery does not meet needs of
non PD students
 Consequently there are some significant
sustainability issues for the certificate

4. Options
 Stop running the programme
altogether
 Merge it with the Certificate in
Human Services and make
mental health a specialty
 Shift to a blended online and
block delivery format
Shifting to a blended online and block delivery format is the most
useful strategy and my flexible learning plan is based on this
ideal solution.

5. The Plan
Restructure the delivery of this programme so
that it is more accessible to;
 Distance students
 People working night shifts
 Parents and care givers
 Students with literacy issues and other learning
support needs
 Students who want to self pace

6. Specifics
1) Retain 4 courses each as a prerequisite for following course
2) Deliver one guided course per term within NZ academic year
3) Offer flexible start and finish dates for each course – no set times
4) Increase flexibility re study times – no set times
5) Record sessions using Elluminate to increase flexible access
6) Standardise the number of weeks in each course and adjust content
to match (8 or 9 weeks for each course)
7)) Reduce contact from the current 36 days to 16 days. 5 day block in
first and third terms. 3 day blocks in second and fourth terms
8) Move current course material from blackboard to Moodle
9) Modify lesson plans, resources and assessments for online
environment in line with flexible learning ideas

7. Assessment Ideas
 Self Awareness Journal - Google DOCS
 Course Workbooks - Quizzes and Blog
 Collage/posters - Retain face to face blocks or
and Presentations convert to online
presentation formats
 Pamphlets - Use publisher
 Essay and Report - Retain as they are
 Group Work - Google groups or a moodle
equivalent, collaborative
google docs or similiar

8. Resources and Support required to
carry out this Plan
 Advice regarding organisational requirements that need
to be met in order to make a programme change this
significant.
See Sally Pairman
 Information regarding the student experience of block
contact sessions and how these work best in terms of
financing and accommodation needs, length and timing.
See Colleagues including;Mid Wives, OT, Massage, Cert
in Health Studies
 Upskilling me.
See EDC staff and community learning centre
 Time.
See Dianne Begg

9. Amber’s Questions Revisited
1) Could she start the course immediately? Yes she can!
2) Could she do it on line in her own time and from her own
home? Yes she can!
3) Could she access resources online? Yes she can!
4) Could she leave at 2.30 in order to be home by three for
her children? Yes she can but not an issue!
5) Did I provide any additional support? Yes I do!
6) How would I cater to her learning needs and to her
learning style?
I explained that there are a range of learning activities,
assessments and supports built into the programme that
cater to different learning styles and needs.
For more detail see my blog at
http://jennysflexilearningblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mu-flexible-learning-plan.html