Resumen de The Effective Management and Evaluation of Flexible Learning Innovations in Higher Education
This paper provides a practical framework to support the effective development, implementation and evaluation of innovations in flexible learning design in higher education.
A definition of flexible learning design appropriate to higher education is proposed and the relationship between it and other popular developments in the sector is explored. Key lessons learnt from research on effective change management in education and key change terms are reviewed. How these lessons can be used to guide the process of innovation in the area of flexible learning is proposed. The concept of evaluation is then clarified and the way in which it drives the process of change in education is discussed. Finally, an overall framework for the evaluation of higher education innovations is identified, including application to initiatives in the area of flexible learning design.
A detailed case study of an innovation in flexible learning design at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Australia, is used to illustrate how the frameworks provided in the paper can be applied. The case study is presented as anAppendix and involves a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management (CDEM). The CDEM innovation caters for diabetes education professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. It was jointly designed and delivered by two UTS Faculties and two leading Australian hospitals active in the area.
