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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Course Code: EDUC 21
Course Description: Technology for Teaching and Learning 1
Schedule: 4:00 – 5:30 PM (TTH)
Course Facilitator: PERFECTO M. GARCIA III, LPT
Topic: Unit IV. Flexible Learning Environment
Reporter: Caluza, Jenwilrei A.

Script of Report

Introduction
“Hello and good day, everyone! Today, we are going to discuss about the flexible learning
environment

Flexible Learning Environment

“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.”
“To begin on our discussion, let’s learn some of the online distance education and communities of learners”
Lesson 1: Online Distance Education and Communities of Learners

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 (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, Edomodo,
Schoology, etc. These are free programs designed for educational purposes. It has 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 chat
discussion, give assessment activities and provide references or links to other online materials.”

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 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 edomodo 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.”

MOOCs
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.
“Those who are working can enrol in MOOCS with no limit on 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.”

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 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 LMS has this feature. The teacher called as the
online tutor facilitates the discussion. Ideas are posted in an actual live class. One cannot lecture and take
all the time in explaining.
“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.”
“Using the Skype in holding a live class is another example. Members of the class log-in in their Skype
account at a given time to join the video conferencing.”

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.
“One advantage is that you can take your time when replying. The LMS mentioned 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 a
blog or even a video blog (vblog) A topic of great importance is discussed by the bloggers 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
 If you do not use any of the learning management system, asynchronous discussion can be in the
form of a blog or even a video blog (vblog) A topic of great importance is discussed by the bloggers 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.
“The process creates a thread. This is like an actual face-to-face discussion or an online chat but the
response and comments posted may take a short while. Nevertheless, revisiting the FORUM or the BLOG
is needed to read the reaction of others.”

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

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 to augment or provide an alternative experience.
“Instructions are 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 the traditional face-to-face learning and online learning.”

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 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.
“Students who are enrolled in an Online Lab model of blended learning may be enrolled in a traditional
classroom course 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.
“This model is 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 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 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 tool.

What is Networking
When productive relationships are cultivated, networking works 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 purposes.”

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 interests.
“Communication through a chat format can either be one- on-one or in a group. 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 a certain privacy on matters considered as such.”

Some of the popular social networking sites:

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.
“Facebook lets one share status updates, news articles with friends and family. Although it
started as a way for college students to connect and socialize, it expanded its services allowing
people ages 13 and up to use a Facebook account 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.
“Friends or colleagues may tell that they saw the breaking news on Twitter.”

It is 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.
“Only registered users can post tweets, but those who are not can only read them. One of the
main features of Twitter is it enables people to post their thoughts immediately.”

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 sec.
Launched in 2003, this is a popular social site in the professional world.
“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.”

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 Google+ site.
“Users can make friends and remained up to date with old friends without leaving their Gmail
account.”

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. Since it is owned by Google,
YouTube prefers website 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 friends
and acquaintances. Just like with other social networking sites, users can either make their
videos private or public.

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.
“Users must have an account to use Pinterest. 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 range of
coverage trips, food, business products.
“Since the site is free. advertisers can use instagram to reach a wide and are follower base.
Instagram account can be private or made public. 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, 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. MySpace
had its dose of crisis but came back stronger and rebranded to focus on music.
“Personal users can use MySpace to 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. It is a fitting social networking website for music.”