Call for papers SPECIAL ISSUE: Flexible learning in the age of open knowledge

09-10-2021

call_for_papers_flexible_learnign.jpg

Publication date of the issue: March 2022

Editors of the Special Issue:

Introduction

In 1999, the issue n. 10 of Edutec published the article "Flexible teaching, open learning. Networks as tools for education" (Salinas, 1999) (only available in Spanish). Today, the concept of flexible education or flexible learning used then remains perfectly recognisable: it refers to learning situations in which the learner exercises some kind of control over the different educational variables. Van den Brande's (1993, p.2) definition may serve well here too: "Flexible learning is enabling learners to learn when they want (frequency, timing, duration), how they want (modes of learning), and what they want (that is, learners can define what constitutes learning to them)."

The concept of flexibility is increasingly encountered when talking about higher education and the responses that educational institutions are providing to the demands and pressures to which they are subjected, especially the consideration of ICT as delivery systems.

Based on the need to develop 21st century skills, flexible education is once again positioning itself in school and promoting personal learning environments as a trend, since it fosters learning autonomy, student protagonism, respect for diversity and different learning styles, active methodologies, interaction, connectivity and meaningful learning, all of which are aspects expressed as needs and interests of the global citizen in his or her training process.

Goodyear (2008) defined two types of literature on flexible education: one that is essentially functional, where flexibility is seen as a good thing that contributes to the achievement of practical knowledge and promotes different forms of flexibilisation of the learning experience, and one that takes a more critical perspective, which highlights that the intended benefits are not always achieved, that the liberationist discourse of flexibility hides some costs or unintended consequences for learners.

Both perspectives are necessary and therefore welcome in this special issue. In fact, it would be very useful for the advancement of knowledge if some of the practical orientations were to adopt a less romantic or naïve view of the charms of flexibility.

With this issue, Edutec seeks to contribute to the academic community by compiling and disseminating research and experiences related to models, curriculum design, learning environments, new methodologies, technological tools and resources and other lines of work that serve to consolidate and advance flexible education.

Topics or lines of interest

  • Flexible education and open learning
  • Learner-centred educational model or philosophy
  • Personalised learning design
  • Digital tools and resources for flexible education
  • New teaching methodologies
  • Flexible learning paths
  • The role of teachers in flexible education
  • Autonomous learning in flexible education
  • Equal opportunities through flexible education
  • Learning environments to promote flexible education
  • Assessment models in flexible education
  • Personal Learning Environments - PLE

 

Keywords: flexible learning, situated learning, flexible design, instructional design, personal learning environments, flexible learning paths

Descriptors:

 

Important deadlines:

 

    • Final submission and acceptance: 10-01-2022
    • Publication of the special issue: March 2022

 

 

Profile of the editors:

Jesús Salinas

Head researcher of the Educational Technology Group and Full Professor in the Department of Applied Pedagogy and Educational Psychology at the University of the Balearic Islands. He has directed different R&D projects on digital technologies, higher education and virtual teaching-learning environments at national, European and international level. He has coordinated projects and networks of Inter-University Cooperation and Scientific Research with different countries.

He is director of Edutec. Electronic journal of educational technology. Scientific evaluator in different Spanish and Latin American agencies. Reviewer in journals, especially in Educational Technology. His research interests include e-learning, flexible education, flexible learning pathways with concept mapping, self-regulated learning, e-learning design, personal learning environments.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3043-8455

Publications list: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=es&user=0SHWBuoAAAAJ

Email: jesus.salinas@uib.es

 

Olga Lucía Agudelo

She is a basic education teacher. Ph.D. in educational technology, virtual education, and knowledge management. Master´s degree in Educational Technology. She has more than 32 years of experience in the pedagogy field and 25 years of experience in teachers´ training. She has directed research projects oriented to ICT appropriation, direction, and evaluation of masters and Ph.D. thesis programs. She also has written articles and papers in national and international reviews and scientific academic events. She has an active member of research networks like EDUTEC and RILPE. Currently, she has categorized as junior research in MINCIENCIAS- Colombian register.

Her research interests include e-learning, flexible learning itineraries with conceptuals maps, curricular design,and virtual learning environments.

 

GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS AND SUBMISSION OF CONTRIBUTIONS

We welcome original contributions, written in English or Spanish that thoughtfully engage:

  • Research projects reports, extension of 5000-6000 words.
  • Innovation experiences scientifically reviewed and susceptible of being transfered to other contexts and situations, extension of 5000-6000 words.
  • Essays and systematic literature reviews, extension of 5000-6000 words.

 

Manuscripts must be sent through the journal management system selecting the special issue [name] : http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Publication rules: manuscripts must be submited following the regular structure of the EDUTEC-E journal available at: http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Last call for the reception of manuscripts: [date]

Editorial process: Submitted manuscripts will be under revision following established criteria for published manuscripts (editorial board and blind review). Once the Editorial Board has completed all the admission procedures, authors will receive anonymous scientific evaluation reports informing on their acceptance or rejection. More information about the review process and its communication is available at: http://www.edutec.es/revista/

Quality Index: EDUTEC journal is indexed in the main databases, directories and evaluation systems of specialized journals. More information about indexations is available at: https://edutec.es/revista/index.php/edutec-e/indexacion