Seamless Learning as an approach to foster flexible learning in higher education

Seamless learning focuses on a challenge characteristic of flexible learning, whereby learning occurs in different contexts. Learning across contexts affords certain opportunities (e.g., connecting abstract principles learned within a formal context with life experience), but also comes with a certain level of risk (e.g., fragmentation of learning experiences). Within an ongoing EU-funded research project, seven seamless learning conceptions are being developed, implemented and investigated using a design-based research approach. However, this process necessitates a considerable amount of consultancy. To ensure long-term sustainability and scalability, an open and accessible consultancy concept was developed that included ICT support. This paper briefly introduces the project and places it within its theoretical context, as well as discussing the experiences and findings gained during the development of the lighthouses (which serve as the basis of the consultancy concept) and the tool developed.