Flexibility in higher education: an Irish perspective

Abstract

Irish public policy strongly promotes greater flexibility in higher education. This review paper examines Irish policy conceptualisations of flexible learning. The review finds that the promotion of flexible learning is positioned within strongly economistic discourses of lifelong learning, and primarily in human capital terms of meeting the skills needs of the workforce. Irish policy largely presents flexible learning approaches unproblematically as positive and beneficial. This paper demonstrates that flexible learning is not an unproblematic concept and reveals some problems and tensions relating to Irish flexible learning policy.

Keywords:

• higher education
• flexible provision
• flexible learning
• lifelong learning

Notes on contributors

Marie Flannery is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Education & Professional Studies at the University of Limerick.

Oliver McGarr is a senior lecturer and head of department in the Department of Education & Professional Studies at the University of Limerick.

Notes

1. The HEA is the statutory planning and development body for higher education and research in Ireland. The HEA is the funding authority for the universities, institutes of technology and other designated higher education institutions. Website: http://www.hea.ie/.

2. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Irish government on future skills needs and other issues impacting on Ireland's enterprise and economic growth. Website: http://www.skillsireland.ie/.

3. NAIRTL is Ireland's National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning. Website: http://www.nairtl.ie/.