Flexible learning in mathematics: the future

To understand the future, we must first understand the past?... I am writing this article in personal style, as it is based on the invited talk I gave at FLIM (Flexible Learning in Mathematics) 2000, the Mathwise User Group’s annual conference, which took place in Birmingham in September. I hope that style will be seen as appropriate for the MSOR Newsletter, which provides a wonderful vehicle for members of our community to “talk” to each other. The title suggested by the User Group was “Flexible Learning in Mathematics:the Future”…Big issues facing the HE Mathematics community, why develop flexible approaches, what we are learning about flexible learning, diagnosing student needs and follow up and making mathematics more attractive…