Philosophy Flexible Learning
Several philosophy units are offered in flexible/OCL mode. Most of these units can be taken in any semester, including summer semester. These units use materials prepared specifically for flexible learning students and are supported by introductory workshops.
For each unit there is a basic resource base of materials. These include a printed study guide, usually also a collection of readings and/or web-based resources. These materials have been prepared with distance education students in mind, so they are designed for students who will be working with very little face-to-face teaching. There is also a tutorial support service operating by phone, fax and email. The introductory workshops provide the only scheduled class times for the course and students are strongly encouraged to attend.
The intention is that the flexible learning program should make philosophy units available to students whose work or other commitments make it difficult for them to attend regular classes on campus. That is why there are almost no scheduled classes. The assessment program is also flexible; it can be adjusted in various ways to fit into a tight schedule. Students will need to be well organised and disciplined. You should expect to spend 12 to 15 hours per week on any unit. And you will have to be capable of working independently. We will provide a good support structure, with fast responses to phone, fax and email; but we will not provide a normal teaching program of lectures and tutorials.
Assessment: the Keller Plan
The assessment regime for units offered in flexible delivery mode will involve a series of tasks, each of which must be completed to a satisfactory standard before moving to the next. Students will have a right to attempt any task as often as they need to reach the required standard, as they might a driving test; and to some extent they will also determine the standard to be reached on each task, for they may nominate Credit level, or Distinction, rather than a minimum pass, as the standard they will achieve. In most cases, marking will be completed within two or three days of submission, so students will have very rapid feed-back on their progress.
The assessment regime has been tested over several years at the Caulfield and Peninsula campuses, and has been found to deliver better than usual results. No student has ever failed the course after completing the series of tasks, and most do better than they do in their other units.
Contact us if you would like further information:
Flexible Learning Program
Philosophy Department
Ph: (03) 9905 3222
Fax: (03) 9905 3221
Email:arts-phil-flex@monash.eduFlexible Learning Program
Philosophy Department
9th Floor West
Building 11
Monash University VIC 3800