Definitions of the Terms Open, Distance, and Flexible in the Context of Formal and Non-Formal Learning

This opinion piece seeks to define and contextualise educational terms that are used, appear be misused, in contemporary academic literature practice. It aims explore the concept these three words, open, flexible, distance, fall into categories of policy, mode learning, models delivery. In context which globaleducational community across all sectors adapts new forms it is essential practitioners agree on terminology. Words have definitions, but they also technical meanings daily, commonplace, uses sometimes defy those dictionary definitions. become symbolic, adopted by a specific cover range “sins”, this use serves normalise or induct users community. The ability twist bend definitions suit context, appeal policy makers funders, relies some malleability, ambiguity, Boyer’s definition integration research (Boyer, 1997), purpose enable colleagues decide how best deploy existing, validate