Technology for Teaching and Learning 1

Flexible Learning Environment

Lesson Objectives:
1. Describe a flexible learning environment and the different platforms used for flexible
learning
2. Recognize how innovative teachers use online resources and educational sites and
portals for online distance learning
3. Reflected on the use of technology and on its relevance and appropriateness

Distance learning is a form of learning without a face-to-face contact with the teacher and delivered
via telecommunications. In the past, this involved correspondence courses wherein the student corresponded
with the teacher via mails. This turned out to be beneficial since universities added students without having to
construct classrooms while they enjoy being able to work anytime and anywhere at their convenience. With
the advent of newer technologies, distance learning is delivered via computer based media thus called online
learning or e-learning. This made classrooms borderless and learning boundless. This was enhanced by the
emergence of web 2.0 tools which made collaborative learning easier. Because digital literacy is so important,
educators are increasingly required to teach students digital literacy in the classroom. In many ways, this is
similar to what educators have always done in teaching students to read and write. In other ways, however,
digital literacy is a brand new skill.

Lesson 1: Online Distance Education and Communities of Learners

Lesson Outcomes
1. Identify flexible learning through online communications (synchronous/ asynchronous modality)
2. Describe flexible learning environment that enhances collaboration with the use of technology tools

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. Then they bring these back to the class for further discussion until perhaps resolutions are agreed.
They can search the web and discover a breadth of information related to the lesson. They even have the
patience to stay in front of the computer for an unusually longer time in search for more articles and multimedia
materials that simplify a challenging topic. 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 anywhere 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 Ministers of Education Innovations in

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Educational Technology (SEAMEOINNOTECH) 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 education purposes. It has features that are partnered after the
instructional activities of a physical classroom. When you use this, you can actually hold a lesson, post
questions for discussion, hold an online chat discussion give assessment activities and provide references or
links to other materials; features relevant to instruction and facilitating of learning.

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
Learning Management System (LMS) that supports teaching and learning.

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.

Edmodo was an educational technology platform

for K-12 schools and teachers. Edmodo enabled
teachers to share content, distribute quizzes,
assignments, and manage communication with
students, colleagues, and parents. It was founded by
Nick Borg, Ed O'Neil, Jeff O'Hara, and Crystal Hutter
in 2008. It was shut down on September 22, 2022.

Schoology is another LMS founded in 2009 by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan

Hwang, Tim Trinidad and Bill Kindler. You can actually create your own
distance learning system using any of these platforms. It is a learning
management system for schools and businesses that enables its users to
create, manage, and share assignments and resources. Also known as a web
content management system or virtual learning environment, the cloud-
based platform provides tools to manage classrooms or blended learning.

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MOOCs A massive open online course (MOOC) is a model for delivering learning content online to
any person who wants to take a course, with no limit on attendance. It takes one to pursue learning
even outside the university or higher education formal structure.
EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association that helps higher education elevate the impact of IT. It's a
community of IT leaders and professionals working together to tackle challenges and leverage
opportunities that are constantly evolving within higher education.

Synchronous and Asynchronous

Synchronous learning refers to instructors and students gathering at the same time and (virtual or physical)
place and interacting in “real-time”.

Asynchronous learning refers to students accessing materials at their own pace and interacting with each
other over longer periods.

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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 the lesson is delivered online, while the
other part is handled in actual physical setting of a classroom.

Kinds of Blended Learning

Model 1: Face-to-Face Driver - The teacher delivers the curricula most of the time and 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 learning environment and being inside the classroom with a face-to-face
teacher. This is the model that is between the traditional face-to-face learning and online learning.

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.

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 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.

Model 5: Self-Blend - It 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 is always remote
– a major difference from the Online Lab.

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. If ever there is a face-to-face component, it is made
optional or if ever it is required for the students to go to the physical learning environment learning such as in
a school, then it can be extracurricular activities augmenting the curriculum.

Planning and managing blended learning experiences are very similar to planning and managing a
brick-and-mortar school with courses or subjects integrating technology:
a. It needs to be system-wide as the school makes a plan
b. Develops guidelines for students to follow for the use of technology in a blended format and provide a
resource guide.
A lot of preparation is needed in designing a blended format:
1. Technology has to be prepared.
2. The back-end and front-end infrastructure of blended learning have to be put in place as well as the content
in varied multimedia formats.
3. Teachers and teachers’ assistant who will act as online tutors and assistants need to be pedagogically
capacitated.
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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.

What is Networking?
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 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 favor into establishing the relationship that will entitle him or her to be called ‘a
friend’, one who can be trusted as collaborator in working on an assigned task by the teacher.

Social Networking Platforms

Social networking has been evolving for more than a decade. Initially, these social networking services
allowed users to construct their personal profile so that other contacts may know the relevant information
about them. At present, these have now evolved to sharing multimedia resources. Even having immediate and
direct contact with friends in real time is easily accessible through these sites.

Facebook apparently is the biggest social networking site found in 2004 based in Menlo
Park, California.
✓ Used by most people
✓ It allows users to post their profile, blogs, pictures and videos
✓ It lets one share status updates, news articles with friends and family.
✓ Allowing people ages 13 and up to use for personal or even business reasons.

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.
✓ It is the site where users post and interact with messages called “tweets”,
restricted only to 140 characters
✓ Only registered users can post tweets
✓ One of the main features of Twitter is it enables people to post their thoughts
immediately.
✓ 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.
✓ The website lets one upload his educational qualifications, skills, work history,
and relevant experiences. One’s connections can even endorse and this helps
employers who can message the one concerned and talk about the possibility of
employment.

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Launched in 2003 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 browser for users are connected even if they are outside Google+ site.
✓ Users can make friends and remained up to date with old friends without
leaving their Gmail account
✓ To distinguish connection, creates circles and the four standard circles refer to
friends, family, acquaintances, and those being followed. Users can actually
create as many circles as they intend.

YouTube is an American video-sharing website where users can upload, view, and
even share video clips or multimedia productions.
✓ It is a free social network site to join and use.
✓ YouTube prefers Google account (owner) to make it easier and streamlined.
✓ It is a social network since it allows the users to share personal videos, view
other uploaded multimedia clips and make connections with friends and acquaintances.
✓ Based in San Bruno, California, the service was created in February 2005

Pinterest was designed as catalogue of ideas or project ideas by its founder Ben
Silberman.
✓ This is an excellent choice for those who have a passion for creativity.
✓ An email account or a Facebook account can be used in signing up to Pinterest,
and if users will use Facebook, their wall would be ready to post pins without
linking with Facebook.

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.
✓ Photos shared have a wide coverage – trips, food, business products
✓ Since the site is free, advertisers can use Instagram to reach a wide and are
follower base.
✓ 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.
✓ Users can post whatever they like such as photos, videos, quotes, music, and
links.
✓ 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, post blogs, and photos, videos.
✓ It was acquired by Specific Media in 2011 and based in Beverly Hills California.
✓ It has dose of crisis but came back stronger and rebranded to focus on music.
✓ Personal users can keep up with their favorite artists, have an update on the music
industry, see what their friends are listening to, and connect with people who have similar
music preferences.

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Flickr 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

1. 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.
2. It easily allows one to transmit information or update contacts on what one thinks or how now feels.
3. As part of the day-to-day activities and school related discussions.
4. Continually connect as they collaborate to accomplish a task or homework.
5. Announcements on assignments or instructions for upcoming work can be conveniently delivered to
concerned individuals

The Dangers of Using Social Networking Sites

1. Making friends with strangers who may actually be a predator or a cyberbully.
2. Youngsters get bullied by others who may not even be connected as friends in a social networking website.
3. There are also trolls who actually instigate conflict, misunderstanding or emotional response by eliciting
anger or ill feelings from other users through social media. They post messages that are inflammatory or
controversial.
4. Topping these risks is also the danger of users getting hooked on internet and may learn to ignore the real
world.
5. Their ability to socialize is incapacitated as they devote hours or days on gaming or using the computer
manifesting abuse to themselves.
6. 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

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. Some of these sites are SuperClubs Plus, Learner Journey, ScuttlePad, among
others. One drawback, however, is that sometimes youngsters are not enticed to use these social networking
platforms because they are not as attractive as Facebook or Twitter.

Precautionary measures when using Social Media:

1. A social networking account has passwords and login 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 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.

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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. If posts (i.e. text, picture,
and video) could be considered offensive or humiliating another person, then you refrain from posting or
uploading it.
7. Using appropriate language is essential. The tone when communicating or sending social networking
messages should be respectful.
8. Better be safe than sorry. You should accept friends and connections when you are sure of the person’s
identity. Personally meeting someone is discouraged. Even if the sincerity of having personal meeting looks
convincing, it would be better if you will be accompanied.
9. When there is an indication of harassment or abuse, it is advised that you report this by clicking the report
button of abuse. It is better still to talk to friends or trusted adults about the case.
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:
• Ignore the behavior by not responding at all;
• Block the persons;
• Click the report button of abuse; or
• Talk to a trustworthy adult about it.

Connecting with friends and having an active life on social networking websites have its rewards.
However, when one is not taking precautionary steps, there is also imminent danger.
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.

ACTIVITY!
Examine your social networking profile. In which sites are you active? Put a check mark [✓] in the
appropriate box.
Most of the
Social Networking Sites Not at all Rarely Sometimes
time
Facebook
Messenger
Twitter
Linked
Google+
Youtube
Pinterest
Instagram
Tumblr
MySpace
Flickr
Bebo

REFLECT: 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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