#WeAreEUCEN

Strategic topics

Introduction to flexible learning

Flexible learning helps widen access and increase opportunities for learning. It is an inclusive approach which appreciates that every learner has different needs and requires different supports.

Beate Hörr, Vice-President of eucen and Director of the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Mainz (DE) tells us here about this perspective in her institution.

Flexible learning also connects to the adaptation to digital transformation or to the Sustainable Development Goals of institutions.

Tamer Atabarut, member of the Steering Committee of eucen and Managing Director of the Lifelong Learning Center of the Boğaziçi University (TR) introduces this notion in his video.

Learn at your own pace

Sometime we do not have all the time we wish to dedicate to learning. ULLL offers learner the possibility to learn at their own pace.

Learn in the environment you want

People do not only learn in formal classrooms. Maybe you want to learn from home or you are learning at work. ULLL allows different environment options to students.

Learn according to your needs

We might need to learn specialised topics very quickly to adapt to job demands. Or we may want to spend time exploring a new area of learning. ULLL offers learners many different possibilities.

Flexible learning

Flexible learning

From micro-credentials to validation of prior learning or work-based learning, University Lifelong Learning is the flexible way to study in Higher Education for learners wishing to engage in learning throughout their lives for both personal and professional reasons.

ULLL as a tool to learn whatever you want, whenever and wherever suits you.

What can we say about flexible learning?

Flexible education systems enable learners to move within and across education, training and employment. Flexibility means that young people can adapt their learning pathway as they go along, to suit their interests and abilities.
Flexibility enhances the resilience of education systems. Whether students are entering, moving through, leaving, or returning to higher education, the more flexible the learning pathways, the more likely it is that systems will be able to adapt to change and new challenges.
To empower learners for the challenges of our times, higher education institutions must become vibrant hubs that radiate knowledge, embracing individuals from every age group and diverse backgrounds and needs.
The new European Agenda for Adult learning outlines a vision of how adult learning should develop in Europe by 2030, [including] accessibility and flexibility – to adapt to the needs of adult learners.
They (educational institutions) will have to be more flexible and personalised to ensure that each student’s unique talents are developed so that all students can realise their full potential.
Flexible learning pathways is the best way to convince some learners to go back to study after several years away from university.
CR 18March2021
Carme Royo
Executive Director of eucen