Flexibility in Distance Learning

In our previous two posts we covered three things that contribute to the feeling of distance in #distancelearning and how effective communication can reduce that feeling of distance. Now let’s look at flexibility.

There are four things I consider when it comes to course flexibility. Keep in mind the examples below are not exhaustive. I’d also love to hear what you consider to be a flexible #remotelearning experience—so leave a comment!

Content

Some content you can’t change. For example, you may need to meet the requirements of a law, regulation, or certifying body. Conversely, refresher training or a test prep review session can (and should) be customized to the people taking it. That way the learning experience focuses on areas of weakness.

• Rigid: compliance training, professional certification
• Flexible: refresher training, test review

Method

Try to keep two things in mind regarding the delivery method: opportunity for feedback and differences in learning. The first one is a bit of a gray area, because it also relates to communication. Ideally a hybrid approach or a live webinar with Q&A would be more flexible. That’s because the instructor would be creating a dialogue with the learners.

We also need to consider people’s relative strengths in how they process information. Some people may have stronger verbal comprehension skills; others may have stronger reading comprehension. We can leave room for this in the delivery method by providing a choice of learning materials. 

• Rigid: video tutorials, recorded webinars, e-learning
• Flexible: hybrid or blended learning, live webinars with audience Q&A, choice of learning materials (e.g., videos and written material are available)

Navigation

This one is pretty straightforward (pun intended). Learning isn’t a straight line. It’s more of a squiggle. It can change directions, turn back on itself, and wander about in one area before inevitably moving forward. So allow for that flexibility.

• Rigid: one path through the material
• Flexible: multiple paths through the material, ability to go back or move forward at will

Assessment

How we assess whether someone learned what they were meant to learn is last in this list, but it’s often one of the first things to discuss with a client. That’s because it’s closely related to content. A course that needs to meet the requirements of a law, regulation, or certifying body is more likely to have a rigid assessment. 

So what can you do? Find ways to make the course more flexible before that final assessment. 

• Rigid: take a test or quiz, meet a contact time requirement
• Flexible: complete a project, demonstrate a skill, explain something in their own words, have multiple attempts at a test or quiz

Recommendations

These recommendations aren’t universal. Some may not work depending on the requirements around the content or assessments, the organization’s technology, or the project’s budget. However, the more of them you’re able to include in your distance learning experience, the less “distant” your learners will feel.  

• Adapt the content to the learner whenever possible
• Choose a delivery method that allows for feedback and coaching
• Provide feedback and coaching tips to front-line managers if you must choose a more rigid delivery method
• Include a transcript and use closed captions with pre-recorded content
• Allow learners to pause, fast-forward, and rewind pre-recorded content
• Allow learners to go back, move forward, or peek ahead at will
• Choose a flexible assessment, if possible
• Include feedback in e-learning assessments
• Allow unlimited attempts at a test or quiz