Dearing gave strong support to the opening up of distance learning pathways in higher education. Flexible learning offers freedom for learner to pace own learning but generally needs the development of a resource-based system.
Format of education where students are allowed to determine their own time for study and the topic(s) they will examine.
Provision of study in such a way that students can arrange to study in their own time, or to select topics that are of special relevance to them. See also Open learning