ABSTRACT
Flexible learning has received increased attention in universities as it has become seen as an important element in any strategy for coping with the sharp increases in the number of students entering higher education. These increases place strains on teaching accommodation, as universities struggle with insufficient seats in lecture halls and other teaching rooms. They place strains on academic staff, who, while needing to improve research performance and output, must cope with larger groups of students and increased amounts of marking and assessment. They place strains, too, on libraries, which face more students in need of books, study spaces and assistance.
