In this blog post, Kenan Dikilitas, UiB, is haring the insights from Ingrid Noguera’s Presentation for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (TeLEd) research group at the University of Bergen on January 29th, 2025.
The recorded full webinar can be accessed in our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/KYrNo5Tg6EE
The context of higher education has been undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements in technology, evolving student needs, and the increasing demand for flexibility. In her recent presentation, Dr. Ingrid Noguera from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, discussed the concept of flexible teaching and learning in higher education. She focused on theoretical foundations, emerging models, and the implications of digital transformation in academia. Here, we summarize the key points from her presentation and the recommendations she put forth.
The Foundations of Flexible Learning
Dr. Noguera began by grounding flexible learning in well-established educational theories. She highlighted social constructivism, which emphasizes learning as a socially constructed process (Vygotsky and Lave & Wenger), and situated learning, which considers the role of context and environment in shaping knowledge acquisition. She also introduced constructivist learning, which posits that individuals build knowledge based on prior experiences (Piaget and Bruner). These theories represent modern pedagogical approaches that prioritize active, personalized, and experiential learning, as well as collaboration and teacher facilitation.
The Evolution of Teaching Modalities
Higher education institutions traditionally relied on face-to-face instruction for many years, but Dr. Noguera emphasized that recent learning environments have diversified into blended, online, and hybrid learning models. She discussed a few of the modalities as follows:
Blended learning refers to a mix of online and in-person instruction that enables resource flexibility and fosters self-directed learning while maintaining collaborative classroom experiences. Similarly, e-learning is described as fully online learning environments that remove spatial barriers but require stronger self-regulation skills from students. Finally, hybrid learning refers to the seamless integration of physical and virtual spaces, where learning happens anytime and anywhere, tailored to students’ individual needs.
Why Flexibility Matters
Dr. Noguera identified several driving forces behind the growing emphasis on flexible learning that has been embodied with the teaching modalities presented above:
- Many students need to balance education with work, family, or other commitments, necessitating adaptable schedules and learning environments.
- Offering customized learning pathways enhances engagement and student success.
- Digital tools allow universities to expand access to education beyond traditional boundaries.
- Flexible learning shifts the focus from instructor-led models to student agency in shaping their educational journey.
Key Aspects of Flexible Learning
Dr. Noguera outlined a framework for designing flexible learning experiences, emphasizing:
- Thoughtful integration of physical and virtual spaces with learning management systems and digital tools.
- Allowing students to organize their schedules, set their own learning pace, and access materials asynchronously.
- Providing diverse formats, adaptable content sequencing, and multiple engagement options.
- Offering multiple assessment formats, alternative submission methods, and adaptive deadlines.
- Encouraging dynamic grouping strategies that promote peer learning.
Future Directions: AI and Immersive Technologies in Education
Looking ahead, Dr. Noguera highlighted the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) in education. AI can facilitate personalized learning paths and automated assessment, while VR/AR offers immersive learning experiences for skill development and practical training. As hybrid learning continues to evolve, these technologies will play an important role in shaping the future of flexible education.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Dr. Noguera’s presentation challenges teachers to rethink traditional models and embrace flexibility in course design and delivery. She emphasized the need to:
- develop institutional strategies that support flexible learning environments.
- invest in faculty training to adapt teaching practices to digital and hybrid settings.
- foster student autonomy and self-regulation skills to succeed in flexible learning models.
- explore the potential of AI and emerging technologies to enhance learning experiences.
As higher education continues to transform, flexible teaching will be essential in preparing students for a rapidly changing world. Dr. Noguera’s insights provide a roadmap for institutions and educators to embrace flexibility, making learning more accessible, engaging, and effective for diverse learners.
In the recording in our YouTube channel you could also watch the intriguing questions and discussions on several practical issues.