Open Learning

About Open Learning

Open learning is all about meeting the individual learner’s needs. For effective learning to occur, this is essential. We at ICMT embrace this notion and work closely with our clients and individual learners in determining the most appropriate form of open learning to deploy.

Open learning is all about flexibility and the removal of barriers.

This means that learners should be able to study what they want, when they want, where they want, and at a pace that suits their individual needs. Open learning may be delivered in a multitude of formats, including:

• Classroom based face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops
• Traditional print-based distance learning
• Online

Open learning may be supported by a variety of teaching and learning materials including textbooks, learner guides, podcasts, video, and other digital media.

Open learning provides students with flexibility and removes many of the traditional barriers to learning. Learners are able to study what they want, when they want, where they want, and at a pace that suits their individual needs.

Distance learning focuses on the delivery of teaching and learning to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom. Students are typically separated from the classroom by time, distance or both. Distance Learning may delivered in two formats:

Synchronous or “live” delivery means that the teacher and the student interact with each other in real time. This is usually achieved using telephone, videoconferencing or online technologies.

Asynchronous delivery means that the teacher and the student do not interact simultaneously. This is usually delivered in the form of printed materials, pre-recorded podcasts or video, or online, and students respond at a later time. Distance learning is usually delivered via print, voice, video, or online.

Distance learning may be provided using different forms, including correspondence or online learning.

Correspondence learning is one of the oldest forms of non-classroom based learning. Typically, this would involve the interchange of teaching and learning materials in the form of a textbook, study guides, course plans and assignments. Students would then send completed assignments back to the teacher for assessment. Historically, correspondence education was limited by the speed of the mail system. However, with technological advancements, communication is now available via email and the web.

Online learning (also referred to as e-learning) utilises technology and the internet for the delivery of learning. Usually, this occurs through the use of computers, mobile phones and portable media devices using the internet. One of the greatest benefits of online learning is that it allows for two-way communication via an internet enabled device that allows students to communicate directly with each other, teachers and staff.