The Montenegro seminar: concluding session European experience of flexible learning The Montenegro seminar: concluding session Howard Davies Senior Adviser, Higher Education Policy European University Association SPHERE seminar, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, May 29 2018

European experience of flexible learning Research-based learning [RBL] Operates at the level of the programme Generates ‘knowledge created with students’ Creates a virtuous circle, in which research informs learning and teaching and, reciprocally, may be reshaped by them Is characterised by so many variables (level, discipline, group size, availability of learning resources etc) that no prescribed model can exist

European experience of flexible learning From research-intensive to research-inclusive

European experience of flexible learning RBL: context-dependence From the point of view of SPHERE, the contexts (national, legal, financial, cultural) are multiple The identification and dissemination of good practice suggests that some degree of convergence is possible It is useful to specify the key prerequisites and the challenges

European experience of flexible learning RBL: the key prerequisites The engagement of students… … and all stakeholders Programme design based on learning outcomes Articulation with quality assurance and enhancement Strong focus on undergraduate programmes The de-privatisation of teaching

European experience of flexible learning RBL: the challenges (1) To managers and policymakers at system and institutional levels: Use funding instruments to secure parity of esteem for research and teaching activities Structure career pathways and workload accordingly Extend academic autonomy to the level at which programme design becomes the responsibility of the practitioners

European experience of flexible learning RBL: the challenges (2) To the academic community as a whole: Develop a methodology to assess the incidence of gender sensitivity in RBL Develop over time ways of measuring and demonstrating the value-added of RBL Use its leverage on policy-makers to influence the fostering of RBL in the secondary education sector

Thank you for your attention! European experience of flexible learning Thank you for your attention! www.EUA.eu howard.davies@eua.eu