CHAPTER 4: Flexible Learning Environment

LESSON 1: Online Distance Education and

Communities of Leaners

Time Allocation: 2 hours

 Intended Learning Outcome(s):

 distinguish flexible learning through online communication.

Course Outcome(s):
Formulate teaching-learning experiences and assessment task using
appropriate and innovative technologies.

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 involve 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 classroom borderless and learning
boundless. This was enhanced by the emergence of web 2.0 tool which made
collaborative learning easier fun.

Preliminary Question(s)
 What is flexible learning through online communication?
 Described flexible learning environment that enhances collaboration with the use
of technology tools.

I. CAPTIVATE

Fill out the KWL chat below on what you know and what you want to know about
online distance education. You may answer as many as you can.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

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Video on the Web…

Watch the video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyyNmfkgD88 (Flexible Learning

Environments, n.d.)

Guide Question: What is the role of flexible learning in this time?

_______________________________________________________________________

II. CONNECT

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.
 They can search the web and discover a breath of information related to
the lesson.
 They even have a 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
physical structure where they can read published books but has also
become virtual.

Online Distance Learning

Video on the Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2FbVb95yio

(JB Diomampo, n.d.)

 Online distance learning is not a new concept. Some school, higher

education institutions in the country, and educational agencies such
as the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Innovation in
Education Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH) provide this mode of
learning.
 It allows flexibility in learning to a certain extent.

The Different Platform

 The flexible mode of learning uses a platform such as moodle, Google

classroom, Edmodo, schoology etc.

1. Moodle – a free open-source learning platform, Moodle is "community driven,

globally supported."  Documentation, trackers and resources are all provided
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 through Moodle. The site does not have a specific "K-12" product, however, if a
teacher or administrator is tech-savvy enough, they can bend the program to their
school or district's needs. 
2. Google Classroom - the search engine turned 'all-things-tech' powerhouse
recently announced the introduction of Classroom, its first foray into the world of
LMSes. Still in beta, Classroom allows teachers to create and collect
assignments, see what students have finished, and give real-time feedback — all
online. No more trekking from home to school with piles of essays or tests to
grade! While most LMS platforms cost money to implement, Classroom is
currently free — a massive plus for schools that want to become more high-tech
but lack the budget necessary to purchase a school-wide program. 
3. Schoology – Another cloud-based LMS, Schoology was created in 2009 by three
undergraduates at the University of Washington in St. Louis. While the software
was initially just used as a note-taking and sharing platform, it developed over
time into a full LMS, complete with resource folders, tracking systems, and
communication programs. Schoology accounts are free for parents, teachers,
and students; however, a license is required if a school wants to link data from
the platform with its other programs. Schoology is used by districts across the
U.S., including Jefferson Public School District in Colorado, Palo Alto Unified
School District in California, and Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnesota.

Synchronous and Asynchronous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6FUa9fR2vI

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 is handled in
actual physical setting of a classroom.

 Watch the video for kinds of blended learning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Br9GvGtLV4
(Kenzie Mack, n.d.)

Online Communities of Learning/ Social Networking

 Watch the video for the short discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAYHTsEjKOk(Online Communities
of Learning/Social Networking 1.0, n.d.)

What is Networking?

When productive relationships are cultivated, networking work 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

Different ways to communicate with friends can be through the internet or mobile
devices. Social networking is the use of Internet-based social media sites to stay
connected with friends, family, colleagues, customers, or clients. One can have a
personal page where a profile can be built in a social networking site. Social networking
can have a social purpose, a business purpose, or both, through sites such as Facebook,

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Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, among others. Social networking has become a
significant base for marketers seeking to engage customers.

Some of these popular social networking sites includes the following:

 Facebook apparently is the biggest social

networking site founded in 2004 based in Menlo https://bit.ly/3boJ28
Park, California. The most popular social network W
apparently in 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 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.
https://bit.ly/2QQiXGm

 LinkedIn has open

with the LinkedIn app. Use the #1 job search, business news
and professional networking app to apply for jobs in every
field. LinkedIn lets you build a profile highlighting your
professional experience, so you can show your successes, https://bit.ly/2F2HOUD
skills and network.
 Google + is designed to be a total
https://bit.ly/2GvsctC communication and social network. Launched in 2011,
Google is its parent and it is more advantageous if it is kept
as a browser for users and connected even if they are
outside Google+ site. A user can make friends and remained up to
date with old friends without leaving their Gmail make account.
 Youtube is an
video clips or multimedia productions. It is a
free social network site to join and use. Since it is owned by
Google, YouTube prefers a Google account to make it https://bit.ly/3jMcCYV
easier and streamlined.

 Pinterest is an American image
sharing and social media service designed to enable saving and
discovery of information (specifically "ideas" on the World Wide
Web using images and, on a smaller scale, GIFs and videos, in
the form of pinboards. The site was created by Ben
https://bit.ly/3lQeLVq Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp and had over 400
million monthly active users as of August 2020.[8] It is operated
by Pinterest, Inc., based in San Francisco.

 Instagram is a platform where users share visual stories. This system allows users
to post photos with captions allowing followers to like and
comment on one’s posts. Photos shared have a wide range of
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 coverage- trips, food, business products. Since the site is free, advertisers can use
Instagram to reach a wide and follower base.

 Tumblr 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 https://bit.ly/2GuZYi
F
easy and straight to search just about anything.

 MySpace is another popular social networking website where

can make friend, post blogs and photos. It is a fitting social networking
website for music. It was acquired by specific Media in 2011 and
based in Beverly Hills California. MySpace is one of the world's
https://bit.ly/2QRnvw4
largest social networks, with about 125 million users. Originally
inspired by Friendster, MySpace quickly grew to become the
world's largest social network, before being overtaken by Facebook.
 Flickr is an American image hosting and video hosting service, as well as an online
community. It was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and has been
popular with hosting high resolution photos by amateur and
professional photographers. It has changed ownership several
times and has been owned by SmugMug since April 20, 2018.
https://bit.ly/3bDrVjX
 Bebo was a social networking website launched in
2005 that now describes itself as "a company that
dreams up ideas for fun social apps". Grant Murray, the man behind the
Bebo relaunch, has confirmed that the site will not be returning as a
social network but as a company that makes social apps. The company
launched the app Blab in early 2014, which closed in 2016. In
https://bit.ly/32WrKvZ December 2014 a new version of Bebo launched as
an avatar hashtag messaging app.

Some ways to protect oneself on social networking sites

1. Check your privacy settings.

Every social media platform offers ways to control what information you’re sharing
with whom. Check these settings often as they change all the time.

2. Don’t accept friend requests from strangers.

One way to control who sees your posts or has access to information about you is
to only accept friend requests from people you know on platforms like Snapchat,
Facebook and LinkedIn.

3. Be careful when your check-in or share your location.

When checking in somewhere or sharing your location, be aware that you’re
essentially sharing your whereabouts with everyone who has access to what you
post. You’re announcing where you are to your friends, but also, potentially to
strangers.

4. Review your tags.

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 Some platforms like Facebook allow you to view posts you’re tagged in so you can
decide if you want to share them or not. 

5. Don’t share your personal information online.

Regardless of what platform you’re on, don’t share personal information like your
phone number, home address, email address or student ID number. If you need to
share that information, do it privately and make sure you know who you’re sharing
it with and why they need the information.

6. Be aware of phishing scams.

Be mindful when giving out your phone number, email address and other personal
information online because, this makes you a potential target for phishing scams
and texts, emails or other communication with malicious software attachments.
Don’t open suspicious emails or other messages. Don’t reply to them. Don’t click
on links contained within the communication and don’t provide your phone
number, email address or any other information on a web page you may be
directed to.

7. Keep an eye on your passwords.

We all have too many passwords, but it’s important to ensure that all your
passwords are different and as obscure as possible. A good password should
contain a few capital letters, numbers and a symbol.
Keep an eye on your passwords. Don’t share your passwords and be sure to
change them regularly.

8. Check community guidelines.

Following these tips and trusting your instincts will help you stay safe when
interacting on social media.

9. Be aware of what’s public.

You can also set up a Google Alert for yourself so you’ll be notified whenever a
new item about you is posted online.

10. Use appropriate language.

It is very important that the tone when communicating or sending social
networking messages should be respectful.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networking Sites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwlUZcMci8
(Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networking Sites, n.d.)

Safeguarding Oneself when Engaging in Social Networking Sites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1HLUySh64
(Safeguarding Oneself When Engaging in Social Networking Sites, n.d.)

(See reference pages 96 -109, Bilbao, Purita P., Dequilla, Ma. Asuncion Christine V.,
Rosano, Daisy A., Boholano, Helen B. (2019). Technology for Teaching and Learning
I. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.)
______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: Pictures, videos, and some text/content used in this module are not solely
owned by the writers. Credits to the rightful owner. This material is created for
educational purposes only.
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References:

[47] Bilbao, Purita P., Dequilla, Ma. Asuncion Christine V., Rosano, Daisy A., Boholano,
Helen B. (2019). Technology for Teaching and Learning I. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
[48] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyyNmfkgD88
[49] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2FbVb95yio
[50] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6FUa9fR2vI
[51] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Br9GvGtLV4
[52] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAYHTsEjKOk
[53] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwlUZcMci8
[54] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1HLUySh64
[55] https://bit.ly/3jHZq7p
[56] https://bit.ly/3brKtU5
[57] https://bit.ly/3i2fNv9
[58] https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-linkedin
[59] https://help.instagram.com/424737657584573
[60]https://computer.howstuffworks.com/tumblr.htm
[61] https://esrc.ukri.org/research/impact-toolkit/social-media/twitter/what-is-twitter/

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 LESSON 2: Online Resources, Educational Sites and Portals

Time Allocation: 2 hours

 Intended Learning Outcome(s):

 identify educational sites and portals suitable to the subject area; and
 select an appropriate resource portal or educational site in relation to the
identified subject area.


Course Outcome(s):
Formulate teaching-learning experiences and assessment task using
appropriate and innovative technologies.

Introduction

Technology has the power to transform connected teaching and learning process. It
supports learning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It has the ability to enhance the
relationship of both teachers and students that will make learning more significant and
fun. The use of technology in our daily life activities has led the growth and popularly of
Internet portal sites.

Preliminary Question(s)
 What educational sites or portals have you used?
 How this sites or portals being utilized?

I. CAPTIVATE

 Video Play…
Watch a short video about online education portals. Click the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489iD0Eztwo

The teacher will ask these salient questions:

1. What is the video all about?

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 2. What relevant information you can get out of the video presented?
3. What do you think are the advantages of these online websites?
4. What online resources have you already used during research or any other
learning activities?
5. Are this online resources useful? In what area did the following online resources
useful to you?
_______________________________________________________________________

II. CONNECT

Online Resources, Educational Sites and Portals

Let us differentiate what is a website and web portal.

Website Web Portal
A website focuses on attracting more A web portal is for specific users. It, in
users i.e. driving traffic a way, restricts or limits the web traffic
and allows only specific users to visit
the portal.
A website does not ask for a login ID A web portal, every time a user tries
and password from the users visiting to open it, login credential is required.
them These credentials are user-specific
and are different for every user.
A website is publicly accessible i.e. A web portal is privately accessible
anyone on the internet, who knows and only members of the portal can
the URL, can visit the website and visit and see its content, using their
see its content login ID and password
There are four generally recognized classifications of Web portals:
1. Horizontal portals such as Excite, Lycos, MSN, or Yahoo! provide services such
as news, entertainment, weather, stock information, e-mail accounts, or provide
links to other searching or sponsored sites.
2. Vertical or niche portals (or vortals) provide services to public audiences
searching for specific content or interest.
3. Enterprise information portals (also called enterprise resource portals or
corporate portals) provide restricted access to private resources of an
organization.
4. B2B portals (Goodman & Kleinschmidt, 2002), sometimes referred to as industry
portals, are a relatively new phenomenon designed to sell particular goods to
consumers online; they are corporate in nature yet vertical in application

Educational Web portals would best fit into the vertical portal category. 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 (Web sites that are not part of the educational portal),
illustrations of concepts including animations, means for accessing software,
communication tools, and other electronic resources employed in teaching and learning.

Two Types of classifying educational portals

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 1. Educational resource portals.

 Educational resource Web portals mimic the traditional format of vertical

Web portals and are the more recognized type of educational portals.
Others refer to these as networking or resource-based portals (Butcher,
2002).
 The primary purpose of this type of educational portal is to provide a
publicly accessible, organized mapping of external educational Web
pages and Web sites available on the Internet. In order to facilitate the
search for relevant resources, the portal designer will employ a variety of
categorizations.
 Classifications of resources may include subject matter, instructional level
of students, instructional objectives, types of instructional activities,
elements of the teaching or learning process, or theoretical views of
education. Using this approach, the educator is able to complete a
focused search for the specific resource(s) needed.

Examples of educational resource portals include:

 EDSITEment.neh.com (2006) focusing on the humanities,

 goENC.com (2006) focusing on mathematics and science content,
PrimarySchool.com.au (2006) that offers free primary school lesson plans
and resources, and
 Microsoft Education (2006) and Teachnology.com’s Web Portal for
Educators (2006) that offer a comprehensive list of teacher resources and
other educational resource sites

2. Instructional Resource Portals.

 These instructional portals provide a centralized location for the delivery of
instructional materials to a private audience. In this case, the targeted
audience is a specific learning community that the portal serves; in most
cases, this is an educational institution but it is not limited to them.
 Instructional portals are gateways that restrict the access of educational
resources to a specific set of individuals by requiring a password or using
a firewall.
 As an institutional resource, an instructional Web portal provides an
effective means for the members of educational community to access
networked resources. However, because the focus is on providing a
gateway to resources, instructional portals have limited links to external
sources of information. Therefore, they are quite limited in providing
assistance in providing resources that support teaching and learning.
 One example of an instructional portal used by an institution of higher
education is the My.UNC (my.unc.edu) portal at University of North
Carolina-Chapel Hill (Casile, 2004). As educational institutions further their
transitions to providing additional technological and networked resources,
they are finding it beneficial to provide a centralized yet personalized
starting point to locate these resources. The instructional portal provides
ready access to the primary resources offered through the institution’s
computer network. This provides a common starting point for the
community members to access the institutional resources that are
available.

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There are two primary aims of educational portals:
1. to provide an organization with available information or links to outside
information.
2. to restrict access to resources or information within the confines of a given Web
site.

The purpose of all educational portals is to provide a focused resource for educators
to make the use of the Internet more effective (Stevenson, 2001). Educational portals fill a
specific niche as a resource for a defined audience of educators (McLester, 1999). As a
tool designed to support the educational objectives of teachers and learners, they provide
access to resources for enhancing the educational opportunities of contemporary
learners. Since these portals target a focused audience, they are vertical portals.

(See reference pages 110-118, Bilbao, Purita P., Dequilla, Ma. Asuncion Christine V.,
Rosano, Daisy A., Boholano, Helen B. (2019). Technology for Teaching and Learning
I. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing.)
______________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: Pictures, videos, and some text/content used in this module are not solely
owned by the writers. Credits to the rightful owner. This material is created for
educational purposes only.

References:

[62] Bilbao, Purita P., Dequilla, Ma. Asuncion Christine V., Rosano, Daisy A., Boholano,
Helen B. (2019). Technology for Teaching and Learning I. Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing.
[63] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489iD0Eztwo
[64] http://what-when-how.com/portal-technologies-and-applications/
web-portals-designed-for-educational-purposes/
[65] https://customerthink.com/key-differences-between-websites-and-web-portals/
#:~:text=Both%20are%20the%20two%20entirely,
offer%20a%20number%20of%20services.

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