Flexible Pedagogy/New Technologies Network

The purposes and scope of the network's activities

Bring people together with a shared interest
Facilitate networking activity: share ideas, knowledge and expertise, to exchange information
To support and strengthen practice in individual’s own areas by sharing experiences and research
Encourage higher education institutions to revisit, and engage with flexible pedagogies and technology.
Encourage HEI’s to consider the extent to which they are responsive to its student community and the extent to which it is flexible.
Celebrate current achievements
To identify gaps in the relationship with Flexible pedagogy, technology and practice.
To address research issues in the use of Flexible Pedagogy and Technology

Questions / issues the Network might address to begin with

The specific concerns of practitioners engaging with flexible pedagogies and technology.
The impact of flexible pedagogy and the nature of the research needed.
Explore the needs of part time students and other student groups and communities within the context of flexible pedagogies and technology.
Consider the recommendations and implications for practice of Ryan and Tilbury (2013), Barnet (2014) and Gordon (2014) reports on flexible pedagogies.
Explore heautagogical approaches to learning
Consider, the extent to which there might be an international strand for (and scope to use the international agenda to support) flexible pedagogy and technologies.

Modus operandi

It is suggested that the group could best proceed by means of face to face meetings two or three times a year and that it might be best to align its meetings with scheduled UALL activities such as the conference. On that basis, the next meetings could therefore take place at the London meeting in November 2014 and at the conference in Glasgow in March 2015.In addition to this, an e-based forum using a social media platform will be formed, encouraging ongoing discussion and examination of questions and issues as they arise.

At the network meetings we invite presentations drawing on the expertise which exists within the group with the possibility of seminars/ workshops or a conference being offered around the theme in the future. Further meetings might also be hosted by other members who would take responsibility for organising meetings at their own institutions.

To join this Network or further further details please contact:

Mike Snowden
University of Huddersfield
Email: m.a.snowden@hud.ac.uk