Flexible higher education for adult learners: a national experiment for adult students in higher education in the Netherlands with a new educational concept based on learning outcomes and learning path independency (2016 – 2023)
Since about 2001 parttime modes of study programs of universities showed decreasing influx of adult students who combine a professional career with (further) higher education.
A research committee installed by the ministry of education, culture and science recommended among other things that parttime programs based on an educational concept with a focus on learning outcomes and tailormade learning paths deliver better opportunities for adult students. In follow up the government decided to start a national experiment (2016 – 2023) in which 21 Universities of Applies Sciences participated. The results of the experiment learned all stakeholders following: (1) developing learning outcomes as an integration of knowledge, skills and a critical professional activity is an important step forward for students, staff, and the involved professional field to apply blended (including work-based) learning , (2) an output oriented educational concept stimulates students and staff to reflect more on appropriate learning paths and the same time (3) taking control of their own learning activities is not self-evident for adults students either.
This paper was presented at EQAF and reflects the views of the named authors only.
ISSN: 1375-3797
