Module 4: Flexible Learning Environment

Reporter: Hanimah Abdullah

Lesson 1: Online Distance Education and Communities of Learners

Flexible Learning Environment

- 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. Then they bring back to the class for further discussion until
perhaps resolutions are agreed. That is why they can sometimes learn more than what is
confined in the four corners of the classroom.
- Every chance or corner becomes a learning space. It is clear that learning takes place
everywhere and this adds to the concept of flexibility in the learning environment. With
technology, students can possibly continue to join class sessions even if they are not physically
around. The Learning space becomes virtual or mediated. The library is not only a physical
structure where they can read published books but has also become virtual.
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 Minister of Education
Innovations in Educational Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH) provide this mode of learning.
It allows flexibility in learning to a certain extent.
The Different Platforms
- The Flexible mode of learning uses a platform 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. When you
use this, you can actually hold a lesson, post questions for discussion, hold an online materials.
Features relevant to instruction and facilitating of learning.
Moodle
- It 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 Learning 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 evolve in
so short a time. What is clear is that they were created as apps that can integrate well with
classroom activities. The decision lies in the teacher who will determine what works best in her
teaching and learning context. Both are amazing tools that can be explored.
Schoology
- It 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 recent modality to learning is Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
- It is a model for delivering learning content online to a person who wants to take a course.
- It allow one to pursue learning even outside university or higher educational formal structure.
- Those who are working can enroll in MOOCS with no limit of attendance. As long as you are
willing to learn, you can engage in an area of discipline and learn.
 - It allows interconnectedness among peoples in the world to discuss and share recent
developments in their common field of interest.
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association with the mission is to advance higher education through the
use of information technology.
2 ways of flexible learning mode
 Synchronous Session
- Course participants meet in visual classroom and discuss a topic in the lesson. So wherever
they are situated in the world, they agree on a schedule Session and log in to join the live class.
- The teacher called as the online tutor facilitates the discussion.
- Ideas are posted in actual live class.
 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. One advantage is that you
can take your time while replying.
- The LMS mention in this lesson has a feature that can allow an Asynchronous session.
- If you do not use any of the learning management system, Asynchronous discussion can be in
the form of Blog or Vlog. A topic of great importance is discussed by the bloggers or vlogger
who can be the teacher or any of the class members. Since it is openly accessible, anyone from
the class once informed about it can respond or comment on it and which can also be
responded to by the other blogger or vlogger.
Blended Learning
- Another way of handling flexible learning is by combining modalities of instructional delivery.
- Blended Learning is a combination of a learning activities wherein a part of lesson is delivered
online while other part is handled in actual physical setting of classroom.
Kinds of Blended Learning
1. Model 1: Face-to-Face Driver
- The teacher delivers the curricula most of the time and utilizes online learning at a certain
times with the purpose to augment or provide an alternative experience
- Instruction is provided in a computer laboratory or assigned tasks are uploaded online.
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.
- This is the model that is in between traditional Face-to-Face learning and online learning.
3. Model 3: Flexible
- This model uses online platform that deliver most of the course.
- Support to learning is provided as needed through on-site support or by an online tutor who
facilitates the tutorial or small group session.
- Sessions can be arranged into Synchronous or Asynchronous.
- Course participants may work on their task at any convenient time as long as it is within
confines of the course duration.
4. Model 4: Online Lab
- The online lab model uses an online platform in delivering the course but located in physical
classroom or computer laboratory.
- Since the lessons are I Modular format and available in the online program, teacher assistants
supervise these classes.
- However, they may not provide the needed expertise if learners seek assistance.
- Furthermore, students who are enrolled in a traditional classroom courses at the same time
and therefore have block schedules.
5. Model 5: Self-Blended
- The Self-Blended 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.
- This model I always remote- a major difference from the Online Lab
6. Model 6: Online Driver
- The online-driver model utilizes a platform and a teacher that delivers all the curricula.
- Students remotely work on their program most of the time.
 - If ever there is a Face-to-Face component, it is made optional or if ever it is required for
students to go to the physical learning environment such as in a school, then it can be
extracurricular activities augmenting the curriculum.

Online Communities of Learning / Social Networking

- When we consider online Networking, internet users immediately refer to Facebook.
- Everybody seems to have a Facebook account and uses this to communicate.
- If in the teaching and learning situation, you work on information, data and collaborate with
classmates, friends, teachers and other members of society, then social networking can also be
appropriately employed as an educational took.
What is Networking
- When productive relationships are cultivated, networking works best.
- A network is defined as a 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 contact for
social, educational or professional purposes.
- They say that there is a great need to connect because whom one knows matters.
- Sometimes one needs to link with them because they have what one needs.
- However, the challenge is how to shift the network from people who can provide the favors into
establishing the relationship that entitled him or her to be called ‘a friend’, one who can be
trusted as a collaborator in working on a assigned task by the teacher.