ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some alternative ways of learning contracts such as Pre-drafted contracts, Restricted contracts, Graded contracts, Independent contracts, Progressive contracts, Group contracts, and Course contracts. A more substantial variation introduces an additional element to the standard approach, such as negotiations with a number of learners at the same time. The most common approach, and the one favoured by Malcolm Knowles, is pre-drafted contracts for learners to draft a complete learning contract. Saddington describes several university courses in the USA and Britain based upon independent projects or individualized programmes using learning contracts as the means for determining both content and outcomes. Despite the variations and adaptations which are possible, essentially what distinguishes a negotiated learning contract from other types of projects or assessment methods is the focus on the particular needs of the learner. The learning contract method is flexible enough to accommodate most learners and can be adapted to fit most courses.
