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4 : Flexible Learning Environment

Lesson 1: Online Distance Education and Communities of

Learners

Distance learning, also called distance education, e-learning, and online learning is a
form of education in which the main elements include physical separation of teachers and
students during instruction and the use of various technologies to facilitate student-teacher and
student-student communication. Distance learning traditionally has focused on nontraditional
students, such as full-time workers, military personnel, and nonresidents or individuals in remote
regions who are unable to attend classroom lectures. However, distance learning has become
an established part of the educational world, with trends pointing to ongoing growth. In
U.S. higher education alone, more than 5.6 million university students were enrolled in at least
one online course in the autumn of 2009, up from 1.6 million in 2002.

Lesson outcomes:

1. Identify flexible learning through online communications (synchronous/asynchronous)

2. Describe flexible learning environment that enhances collaboration with the use of
technology tools

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Fill out the Know- What- Learn (KWL) chart below on what you know and what you want
to know about online distance education.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

Examine your social networking profile. In which sites are you active? Put a check mark
(/) in the appropriate box.

Social Networking Sites Not at all Rarely Most of the time

Facebook
Twitter
Linked
Google+
Youtube
Pinterest
Instagram
Tumblr
MySpace
Flickr
Bebo

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Can you think of possibilities on how you can use your social networking site as an
educational tool? Describe clearly how you can appropriately utilize it in your lesson.

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Characteristics of Distance Learning

Various terms have been used to describe the phenomenon of distance learning. Strictly
speaking, distance learning (the student’s activity) and distance teaching (the teacher’s activity)
together make up distance education. Common variations include e-learning or online learning,
used when the Internet is the medium; virtual learning, which usually refers to courses taken
outside a classroom by primary- or secondary-school pupils (and also typically using the
Internet); correspondence education, the long-standing method in which individual instruction is
conducted by mail; and open learning, the system common in Europe for learning through the
“open” university.

Four characteristics distinguish distance learning. First, distance learning is by definition

carried out through institutions; it is not self-study or a nonacademic learning environment. The
institutions may or may not offer traditional classroom-based instruction as well, but they are
eligible for accreditation by the same agencies as those employing traditional methods.

Second, geographic separation is inherent in distance learning, and time may also separate
students and teachers. Accessibility and convenience are important advantages of this mode of
education. Well-designed programs can also bridge intellectual, cultural, and social differences
between students.

Third, interactive telecommunications connect individuals within a learning group and

with the teacher. Most often, electronic communications, such as e-mail, are used, but
traditional forms of communication, such as the postal system, may also play a role. Whatever
the medium, interaction is essential to distance education, as it is to any education. The
connections of learners, teachers, and instructional resources become less dependent on

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physical proximity as communications systems become more sophisticated and widely

available; consequently, the Internet, mobile phones, and e-mail have contributed to the rapid
growth in distance learning.

Finally, distance education, like any education, establishes a learning group, sometimes
called a learning community, which is composed of students, a teacher, and instructional
resources—i.e., the books, audio, video, and graphic displays that allow the student to access
the content of instruction. Social networking on the Internet promotes the idea of community
building. On sites such as Facebook and YouTube, users construct profiles, identify members
(“friends”) with whom they share a connection, and build new communities of like-minded
persons. In the distance learning setting, such networking can enable students’ connections
with each other and thereby reduce their sense of isolation.

Modern Distance Learning

Web-based courses

By the beginning of the 21st century, more than half of all two-year and four-year
degree-granting institutions of higher education in the United States offered distance education
courses, primarily through the Internet. With more than 100,000 different online courses to
choose from, about one-quarter of American students took at least one such course each term.
Common target populations for distance learning include professionals seeking recertification,
workers updating employment skills, individuals with disabilities, and active military personnel.

Although the theoretical trend beginning in the 1990s seemed to be toward a stronger
reliance on video, audio, and other multimedia, in practice most successful programs have
predominately utilized electronic texts and simple text-based communications. The reasons for
this are partly practical—individual instructors often bear the burden of producing their own
multimedia—but also reflect an evolving understanding of the central benefits of distance
learning. It is now seen as a way of facilitating communication between teachers and students,
as well as between students, by removing the time constraints associated with sharing
information in traditional classrooms or during instructors’ office hours. Similarly, self-paced
software educational systems, though still used for certain narrow types of training, have limited
flexibility in responding and adapting to individual students, who typically demand some
interaction with other humans in formal educational settings.

Modern distance learning courses employ Web-based course-management systems that

incorporate digital reading materials, podcasts (recorded sessions for electronic listening or
viewing at the student’s leisure), e-mail, threaded (linked) discussion forums, chat rooms, and
test-taking functionality in virtual (computer-simulated) classrooms. Both proprietary and open-
source systems are common. Although most systems are generally asynchronous, allowing
students access to most features whenever they wish, synchronous technologies, involving live
video, audio, and shared access to electronic documents at scheduled times, are also used.
Shared social spaces in the form of blogs, wikis (Web sites that can be modified by all

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classroom participants), and collaboratively edited documents are also used in educational
settings but to a lesser degree than similar spaces available on the Internet for socializing.

Flexible Learning Environment

Flexible learning is a method of learning where students are given freedom in how, what, when
and where they learn. Flexible learning environments address how physical space is used, how
students are grouped during learning and how time is used throughout teaching.

Online Distance Learning

Distance learning also called distance education, e-learning, and online learning, form
of education in which the main elements include physical separation of teachers and students
during instruction and the use of various technologies to facilitate student-teacher and student-
student communication.

The Different Platforms

The flexible mode of learning uses a platform such as moodle, Google classroom,
edmodo, schoology, etc. It has features that are patterned after the instructional activities of a
teacher in a physical classroom.

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

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.

Schoology

Another LMS founded in 2009 by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang, Tim Trinidad and Bill
Kindler. It brings together the K-12 learning management system with assessment management
to improve student performance, foster collaboration, and personalize learning.

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MOOC’s

Another recent 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 education formal structure.

Synchronous and Asynchronous

In the flexible learning mode, the activities can be done in two ways:

(1) Synchronous (2) Asynchronous

An online chat that is real time is a Synchronous session. Course participants meet in a virtual
classroom and discuss a 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. The teacher called as the online
tutor facilitates the discussion. In this mode, the course participants are made to be engaged in
the flow of discussion that is why; the online tutor has to plan out the instruction guide in
facilitating the discourse.

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 classroom.

Kinds of Blended Learning

1. Model 1: Face-to-Face Driver

In the face-to-face model, the teacher utilizes online learning at 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 teacher. This is the model that is in between the traditional
face-to-face teacher learning and online learning.

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3. Model 3: Flex

This model uses an online platform that delivers 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 sessions. Sessions can be arranged into synchronous or asynchronous. Course
participants may work on their tasks at any convenient time as long as it is within the 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 a
physical classroom or computer laboratory. Since the lessons are in a 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 an Online Lab model of blended learning may be enrolled in a traditional classroom
courses at the same time and therefore have block schedules.

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.
Students remotely work on their program most of the time.

Planning and managing blended learning experiences are very similar to planning and
managing a brick-and-mortar school with courses or subjects integrating technology. It needs to
be system-wide as the school makes a plan, develops guidelines for students to follow for the
use of technology in a blended format and provide a resource guide.

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 tool.

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What is Networking

When productive relationship is cultivated, networking works best. A network is defined

as that group of individuals who communicates and connects on a regular basis. They say that
there is a great need to connect because whom one knows matters.

Social Networking Platforms

Different ways to communicate with friends can be through the internet or mobile
devices. Through this site, one can contact friends or share resources and interests. Topics
being discussed can be posted and made known therefore read by many or it can be discreet
through a direct chat – a feature allowing one to have certain privacy on matters considered.

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 LinkedIn 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. Used by most
people, it allows users to post their profile, blogs, pictures, and videos.

Twitter does not only provide social networking service but it also gives online news. It is also
the site where users post and interact with messages called “tweets” restricted only to 140
characters. Founded in 2006, Twitter is based in San Francisco, California, United States.

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. It may contain one’s
resume for potential employers to see. Launched in 2003, this is a popular social site in the
professional world.

Google+ is designed to be a total communication social network. Launched in 2011, Google its
parent and it is more advantageous if it is kept as browsers for users are connected even if they
are outside Google+ site. To distinguish connection, Google+ creates circles and the four
standard circles refer to friends, family, and acquaintances and those being followed.

Youtube is an American video-sharing website where users can upload, view, and even share
video clips or multimedia productions. Since it is owned by Google, Youtube prefers a Google
account to make it easier and streamlined. Some people think that Youtube is not a social
network. It is such as it allows the users to share personal videos, view other uploaded
multimedia clips and make connections with people. Based in San Bruno, California, the service
was created in February 2005.

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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.
This is an excellent choice for those who have a passion for creativity.

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. It is the best social
networking site for photography.

Tumblr is a networking site that combines social media and blogging. Its main goal is to simplify
social media and blogging. This is a social media that makes it very easy and straight forward to
search just about anything.

MySpace is another popular social networking website where members can make friends, posts
blogs and photos and videos. It was acquired by Specific Media in 2011 and based in Beverly
Hills California. Personal users can use MySpace to keep up with their favourite artists, have an
update on the music industry, see what their friends are listening to, and connect with people
who have similar music preferences. It is a fitting social networking website for music.

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 acronym “Blog Early, Blog Often”. It was invented
to answer the question what the name meant. It was founded by husband-wife team Micheland
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 for users. The world has become a
global village through connectivity. Getting connected to family and friends, or keeping in touch
with friends.
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 a part
of the day-to-day activities and school related discussions. Announcements on assignments or
instructions for the upcoming work can be conveniently delivered to concerned individuals
through the social networking sites.

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.

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One major risk is making friends with strangers who may actually be a predator or a
cyberbully. No one initially recognizes the true nature of an acquaintance or one who seemingly
poses as a friend. That is why teachers and parents or guardians are protective to the extent of
disallowing youngsters to use the internet and social networking sites without realizing that such
act denies the opportunity to explore the educational potential it can serve.

Safeguarding Oneself when Engaging in Social Networking Sites

You need to understand and take precautionary measures to safeguard yourself in

social networking websites.
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 users prefer to use 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
log-in. 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 the posts.
4. Online posts are saved and may become a permanent part of their online reputation.
As you use the internet, you leave a digital footprint which can be traced back to you.
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. The tone when communicating or sending
social networking messages should be respectful.
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 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 behaviorby not responding at all;
b. block the person;
c. click the report button of abuse; or
d. talk to a trustworthy adult about it.
It is more beneficial if you understand both its potential and its pitfalls. When used properly and
in the right measure, it can bring more benefits. Only then can social networking sites lead to
one’s growth and ensure a productive social life.

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Arrange or provide activity plan (any) based on flexible learning, on how can we improve
or enhance the directives with the pros and cons in the mode of our recent learning strategy.Site
any recommendations, based in the hype of this pandemic crisis.

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Directions: Read the question carefully and encircle the letter corresponding to the
answer:

1. The following are learning management systems EXCEPT one. Which is it?
A. Moodle
B. Google
C. Schoology
D. Edmodo

2. Which statement expresses the right action in case there is an indication of cyber
bullying?
A. Ignore the behaviour by not responding at all.
B. Block the person.
C. Learn to fight back.
D. Talk to a trustworthy adult about it.

1. Just as there benefits in using social networking sites, there are also risks that
accompany it. Which statement is the best paraphrase?
A. Learners can continually connect as they collaborate to accomplish a task or
homework using a social networking website.
B. One major risk is making friends with strangers who may actually be a predator or a
cyberbully.
C. Teachers and parents or guardians are protective to the extent of disallowing
youngsters to use the internet and social networking sites.
D. There are payoffs and pitfalls when one is active in social networking sites.

2. Which situation BEST defines blended learning?

A. It is a combination of online lessons and actual lessons in a physical setting.
B. Learning is ubiquitous which allows learners to learn anytime, anywhere and in any
manner.
C. Social networking websites provide information that can be incorporated in
instruction.
D. It can employ synchronous and asynchronous modality of delivery.

3. Which online tool is clear example using asynchronous mode?

A. Online Chat
B. Blog
C. Blended Learning
D. Sites

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Lesson 2: Online Resources, Educational Sites and Portals

In planning a day’s lesson, there is a wide range of references that can be used to relate
well with learners of this age. Online sources, sites and portals suggest tools and describe how
they can be used to engage learners. The increase in the use of technology in daily life activities
has led to the growth and popularity of Internet portal sites. Portals are gateways that provide
information ranging from general to specific interests. Educational portals are Web portals
designed to give users a resource for locating and navigating to Web-based resources that
support educational endeavors.
These resources may include links to Web pages and files with information provided for
a specific educational exercise, links to external Web sites, illustrations of concepts including
animations, means for accessing software, communication tools, and other electronic resources
employed in teaching and learning. Considering this basic conception of educational portals, it
would appear that they are all merely vertical portals designed as public gateways to
educational resources.

Lesson outcomes:

1. Identify educational sites and portals suitable to the subject area

2. Select an appropriate resource portal or educational site in relation to the identified
subject area

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Have you checked any of these? Which one will you utilize and in which class of
learners can you use them? How will you employ the tool in your lesson?

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A. Change your Words-

Change your Mind set.
How do you relate this practice
of using the right words to change
your mind set in becoming a
modern teacher who knows how to
look for digital tools, materials,
educational resources portals and
sites in the web?

Write your reflections on the space

provided.

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Educational Sites and Portals

A lot of information are found in the net. These can be explored and studied to
determine their relevance to the lesson. There are concerned parties that 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.

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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. They evidently understand the pedagogical needs, hence, the
arrangement of categories with corresponding suggested sites of tools or even application for
android or iPads. Tools, applications, educational technology charts, books, links and many
more are found in categories arranged by subject area or competency.

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

A resource of educational web tools and mobile apps for teachers and educators

The administrator of this sites allows users to download, print and share the materials
just as long as proper citation is done that the materials are shared free of charge. If you are
interested in implementing Free Educational Technology in the classroom, the administrator
highly encourages you to share this blog site.

What is the right mind set of a teacher in using the digital tool?

With the fast paced development of technology, educational sites, portals, 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 integrated
new aspects. This is expected. That is why, knowing a digital tool its features may not be
enough because there is a tendency of it evolving through time.
As you prepare to become a teacher by learning how to utilize these digital tools, you
need to have the right mind set or a way of thinking how these tools can be effectively
integrated in the lesson. A lot of teachers may find it daunting to use a technology tool in a
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 be 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 adapt to the evolving digital
tool.
Once you get the habit of exploring the tools perhaps taking one step at a time and
explaining your ideas on how to creatively use the appropriate tool in a class, you well
eventually see your transformation as a teacher who is becoming more relevant and effective in
teaching content while at the same time develop learners’ capacity to be creative and think
critically, and become collaborative and effective communicators in the 21 st century.

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Research and identify at least five (5) Free and Available Tools under each category. Write
a description of the functions and features of each digital tool. Present and share what you have
discovered.

1. Create: Infographics For Teachers

2. Digital Storytelling Tools For Teachers
3. Podcast Tools For Teachers
4. Free Survey, Polls, and Quizzes Tools For Teachers
5. Photo and Image Editing Tools For Teachers
6. Testing and Quizzing Tools For Teachers
7. Web Conferencing Tools For Teachers
8. Authoring Tools For Teachers
9. Video Tools for teachers
10. PDF Tools for teachers
11. Sites to Download Royalty Free and Creative Commons Music for Teachers
12. Stock Photos Sites for Teachers

Answer the questions below.

1. Which characteristics are necessary for teachers to be able to adapt to the current
demands of teaching using the evolving digital tools?
I. Openness to learn
II. Positive Attitude
III. Curiosity
IV. Perseverance

a. A. I only
b. B. I and III
c. C. II and IV
d. D. I, II, III and IV

2. Why modern teachers need not necessarily be experts in technology but should
rather be experts of the habits of the mind?
a. They should understand how their learners learn.
b. They need to exhibit skills in the use of technology.

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c. They need to possess patterns of intellectual behaviours that lead to productive

actions.
d. They need to understand and master the correct use of technological tools and
application.

3. If you want to make comics online, which is NOT an appropriate tool to use?
a. Pixton
b. MakeBeliefsComix
c. Public Domain Photos
d. Tondo

4. Which is an appropriate tool to use when making a survey?

a. PollDaddy
b. EndNote
c. Corkboard Remember
d. Padlet

5. What can the Easy Test Maker do?

a. Make the test.
b. Score essay test.
c. Create test with choices.
d. Write questions for the test.

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