User-Education in a Flexible Learning Environment--An Opportunity To Stay Relevant in the 21st Century

This paper discusses the change from traditional instructional packages to flexible learning systems in higher education in South Africa, and the role of academic libraries in supporting and facilitating the new educational philosophy and methods. The first section presents a definition of flexible learning and addresses the implications of the following three dimensions of flexible learning: delivery methods and improved access, including focus on massification of higher education and flexible delivery of education as an instrument of massification in South Africa; learner-centered approach; and the role of resource-based learning. Resource-based learning and information literacy are covered in the second section, including the interdependence of the two concepts and their implications for academic libraries. The third sections describes two strategies to ensure that the library plays a central role in learning activities--adapting the role of the library and information professional, and developing user education in support of flexible learning. Information user training as a means of survival in the 21st century is discussed in the next section. The conclusion outlines actions that the library and information profession must take in order to stay relevant in the 21st century. (Contains 25 references.) (MES)