MODULE 4: FLEXIBLE

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
INTRODUCTION
• Distance learning is a form of learning without a
face-to-face contact with the teacher and
delivered via telecommunication. In the past, this
involved correspondence courses wherein the
student corresponded with the teacher via mails.
LESSON 1: ONLINE DISTANCE
EDUCATION AND
COMMUNITIES OF LEARNERS
Flexible Learning Environment
• Learning nowadays is viewed differently. The
present generation of learners has access to
information at their fingertips. The teacher is no
longer seen as basically the dispenser of
knowledge but rather as one who expertly directs
the learners to take their own track in searching
for answers to questions raised inside the
classroom.
Online Distance Learning
• Online distance learning is not a new concept.
Some schools, higher education institutions in the
country, and educational agencies such as the
Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Innovations
in Educational Technology (SEAMEOINNOTECH)
provide this mode of learning.
The Different Platforms
• The flexible mode of learning uses such as moodle,
Google classroom, edmodo, schoology, etc. These
are free programs designed for educational
purposes. It has features that are patterned after
the instructional activities of a teacher in a physical
classroom.
Moodle
• Moodle was created by Martin Dougiamas,
founder and CEO of moodle. MOODLE stands
for Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning
Environment which is an open source software. It
is a Learner Management System (LMS) that
supports teaching and learning.
Google Classroom and Edmodo
• Google Classroom is a free service for teachers and
students. It is an LMS platform that is accessible google
account. You can create classes and perform your roles
and functions as a facilitator of learning. In 2008, edmodo
was created by Nic Borg, Jeff O’hara, and Crystal Hutter.
• Martina (2015) compared edmodo and google
classroom in her blog. Although she discussed several
commonalities, there are apparently differences but with
technology, things evolved in so short a time.
Schoology
• Schoology is another LMS founded in 2009 by
Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang, Tim Trinidad and
Bill Kindler. You can actually create your own
online distance education learning system using
any of these platforms.
MOOCs
• Another recently modality to learning is the Massive
Open Online Course (MOOC). It is a model for
delivering learning content online to any person
who wants to take a course. It allows one to
pursue learning even outside of university or higher
educational formal structure.
• EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association with the
mission is to advance higher education through
the use of information technology.
Synchronous and Asynchronous
• In the flexible learning mode, the activities can be
done in two ways: (1) synchronous and (2)
asynchronous.
• An online chat at real time is a synchronous session.
Course participants meet in a virtual classroom and discuss
topic in the lesson. So wherever they are situated in the
world, they agree on a scheduled session and log in to join
the live class. Using skype in holding a live class is an
example.
• Another important feature is the Asynchronous session.
This is when questions or tasks are posted and course
participants answer the question or post their reply at any
time most convenient to them. They can still participate in
the discussion by replying to the post.
Blended Learning
• Another way of handling flexible learning is by combining
modalities of instructional delivery. Blended learning is a
combination of learning activities wherein a part of the lesson is
delivered online while the other part is handled in actual
physical setting of a room.
Kinds of Blended Learning
1. Model 1: Face-to-Face Driver
In the face-to-face model, the teacher delivers the curricula most
of the time and utilizes online learning at certain times with the
purpose of augment or provide an alternative experiences.
2. Model 2: Rotation
In a particular course or subject, students rotate on a fixed
schedule between learning online in a one-to-one, self-paced
learning environment and being inside the classroom with a face-
to-face teacher.
3. Model 3: Flex
This model uses an online platform that delivers most of the
course.
4. Model 4: Online Lab
The online-lab model uses an online platform in delivering the
course but located in a physical classroom or computer laboratory.
5. Model 5: Self-Blend
The self-blend Model is a system provided by the
school where the students can choose the courses
they would like to have in addition to their typical
brick-and-mortar classroom classes.
6. Model 6: Online Driver
The online-driver model utilizes a platform and a
teacher that delivers all curricula.
Online Communities of Learning/Social
Networking
What is Networking?
• When productive relationships are cultivated,
networking works the best. A network is defined as
that group of individuals who communicates and
connects on a regular basis. If an individual has a
personal network of people, one can tap on the
potential contacts for social, educational or
professional purpose.
Social Networking Platforms
• Different ways to communicate with friends can be
through the internet or mobile devices. One can have a
personal page where a profile can be built in a social
networking site. Through this site, one can contact
friends or share resources and interest.
• There are varied platforms available where one can
create a personal account. Some of these popular social
networking sites include Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,
Flicker, Youtube, and LikendIn among others.
• Facebook apparently is the biggest social networking
site founded in 2004 based in Menlo Park, California.
The most popular social network apparently is
Facebook.

• Twitter does not only provide social networking

service but it also gives online news. Breaking news has
taken a new twist with this social network website.

• LinkedIn is another social networking website for work.

When one is trying to find a job and may not have
contacts, LinkedIn helps one search for career
connections.
• Google+ is designed to be a total communication social
network. Launched in 2011, Google is its parent and it
is more advantageous if it is kept as a browser for
users are connected even if they are outside the
Google+ site.
• YouTube is an American video-sharing website where
users can upload, view, and even share video clips or
multimedia productions.
• Pinterest is another social media tool that like
YouTube, is often thought of as otherwise. Pinterest
was designed as a catalogue of ideas or project ideas
by its founder Ben Silberman
• Instagram is a platform where users share visual
stories. This system allows users to post photos
with captions allowing followers to like or
comment on one’s posts.
• Tumblr is a networking site that combines social
media and blogging. Its main goal is to simplify
social media and blogging.
• Myspace is another popular social networking
website where members can make friends, post
blog and photos, videos. It was acquired by
Specific Media in 2011 and based in Beverly Hills
California.
• Flickr (pronounced “flicker”) is an image
and video hosting website that was
created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired
by Yahoo. It offers massive online photo
storage.
• Bebo is a social networking website with
the backronym “Blog Early, Blog Often”. It
was invented to answer the question
what the name meant. It was founded by
husband and wife team Michel and Xochi
Birch in January 2005 at their home in
San Francisco.
The Benefits of Using Social Networking Sites
• Using social networking websites opens an array of benefits for
users. The world has become a global village through
connectivity. The connections has transcended space and
borders.
• A major advantage of social networking websites is that they
provide information. News and views of others around the
world can be easily accessed instantly at one’s fingertips.
• Social networking websites can support learning or augment
educational activities. Young learners are well-acquainted with
social networking sites and regard them as just as a part of the
day-to-day activities and school-related discussions.
The Dangers of Using Social Networking Sites
• Just as there are benefits of having an account in a social
networking site or using it in the teaching and learning contexts,
there are risks to consider as well. Teachers as well as parents
are wary of youngsters using social networking sites due to
many negative publicity and real incidents connected to the
wrong use of social networking websites.
• One major risk is making friends with strangers who may
actually be a predator or a cyberbullying. No one initially
recognizes the true nature of an acquaintance or one who
seemingly poses as a friend.
Safeguarding Oneself when Engaging in Social
Networking Sites
• You need to understand and take precautionary measures
to safeguard yourself in social networking sites.
• Networking can be confined and monitored within the
school system. Students can use social networking
platforms designed for educational purposes that will
allow students to post, share and discuss insights gained
from an activity.
When young people users prefer to use a social networking website
that is outside of the school’s system, teach them to stay safe
through some precautionary measures:
1. A social networking account has passwords and log-in details. Secure
passwords and keep them private.
2. Log out every time you use public computers.
3. Regularly check privacy settings of social networking websites so that only
direct friends or those particularly known can see their posts.
4. Online posts are saved and may become a permanent part of their
online reputation.
5. Do not accept invites from contacts unless you know them personally or
you are sure of their identity.
6. Seriously consider the effect of possible posts on others before
deciding to do so.
7. Using appropriate language is essential.
8. Better be safe than sorry.
9. When there is an indication of harassment or abuse, it is
advised that you report this by clicking the report button of
abuse.
10. Bullying takes place even in social networking websites.
Cyberbullying uses the site’s messages, updates, and other
functions to harass, intimidate, humiliate, taunt, or pick on the
individual.
When this happens, you can do the following
actions:
a. Ignore the behavior by not responding at all;
b. Block the person;
c. Click the report button of abuse; or
d. Talk to a trustworthy adult about it.
LESSON 2: ONLINE
RESOURCES, EDUCATIONAL
SITES AND PORTALS
“When you know, what you know
and do not know, that is true
knowledge.” – Confucius
Educational Sites and Portals
• A lot of information are found in the net. These can be explored
to determine their relevance in the lesson. There are concerned
parties host educational services through websites and portals.
• Like a door, the portal opens to a virtual room where activities,
tools, applications, articles provide ideas and suggest ways on the
use of technology tools.
• One example that can be further explored is Educational
Technology and Mobile Learning. This blog site is a rich repository
of tools and applications assembled and curated for teachers and
educators by teachers.
What is the right mindset of a teacher in using the digital
tool?
• With the fast paced development of technology, educational
sites, portal, or applications, change is inevitable. Working on a
particular tool at the moment will for sure change, as designers
continually work to upgrade the features and design the tool to
integrate new aspects.
• As you prepare to become a teacher by learning how to utilize
these digital tools, you need to have the right mindset or a way
of thinking how these tools can be effectively integrated in the
lesson.
• The anxiety to explore the possibility can be
overwhelming, but for one who has the openness to learn
and continuously study the features of the tool can
possibly lead to a more productive way of designing a
technology enhanced lesson.
• Hold on to the positive attitude and openness to learn.
Nurture the curiosity and sustain the passion to improve
practice. Persevere as you learn to adapt to the evolving
digital tool.