Traps for new players: The challenges of shifting to flexible learning

The Social Welfare program at Monash University Gippsland provides accredited vocational single and double degrees by both distance education and on campus modes to a predominantly female student group. It is a regional campus with a significant distance education load primarily from regional and rural Victoria but increasingly from interstate regional areas.

The courses have a strong focus on the teaching and assessment of interpersonal skills and application of theory in practice which are taught both in the classroom and on field placement. The teaching encourages self reflection and challenges personal values and a significant number of students experience major life changes during their courses, some re-evaluating relationships and confronting past experiences. The student-staff relationship is often intimate and has a very important pastoral component.

Some of the questions we are addressing in considering change include:

• Whose needs are we meeting by moving to flexible modes of teaching?

• Are we responding primarily to the need to improve our research quantum by seeking ways to decrease student contact?

• What are the options available in a flexible learning environment?

• What do the new technologies offer a 'human skills' based program?

• Is it possible to teach interpersonal and communication skills online?

• Are we being realistic or are we expecting to make the changes rapidly and thus relieve the pressure of overload quickly?

• How do we develop the new skills required to teach effectively?

• What could the advantages of change be for students? Do we address access and equity for all students regardless of location?

• What are the risks?
  • Do we compromise essential aspects of the teaching relationship and learning outcomes for students?
  • Do we increase access and equity issues for students who do not have computer access?
  
  
• What are the challenges faced by other universities and courses both here and internationally?

• Gippsland is a regional campus. Where do these changes fit into the Monash Plan?