3. Introduction
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.
5. 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 these back to the class for further
discussion until perhaps resolutions are agreed. 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.
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 read published books
but has also become virtual.
6. 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.
7. The Different Platforms
The flexible mode of learning uses a platform such
as moodle, Google, Classroom, edmondo, 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.
8. 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 integrate well with classroom activities. The decision
lies in the learning context. Both are amazing tools that can be
explored.
9. Synchronous and Asynchronous
In the flexible learning mode, the activities can be done in
two ways:
Synchronous- An online chat at real time.
Asynchronous- This is when questions or tasks are
posted and course participants answer the question or
post their reply at any time most convenient to the.
10. 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.
11. Kinds of Blended Learning
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 provided in a
computer laboratory or assigned tasks are uploaded online.
Model 2: Rotation
In a particular course of 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.
12. 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
or by an online tutor who facilitates the tutorial or small group
sessions. Sessions can be arranged into synchronous or
asynchronous.
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.
13. 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.
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.
15. EDUCATIONAL SITES AND PORTALS
A lot of information is 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.
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 applications, edtech charts, books, links and many
more are found in categories arranged by subject area or
competency.
16. What is the right mindset of a teacher in using the digital tool?
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 integrate new aspects. This is expected. That is
why, knowing a digital tool and 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 mindset or a
way of thinking how these tools can be effectively integrated in
the lesson. A lot of teachers my find it daunting to use a
technology tool in a lesson. For one who has the openness to learn
and continuously study the features of the tool can possibly lead to
a more productive way of designing a technology-enhanced
lesson.
18. The Bands in Dale’s Cone of Experience
Direct purposeful experience- These refer to foundation of
experiencing learning. Using the senses, meaningful knowledge and
understanding are established. This is experiential learning where
one learns by doing.
Contrived experience- It is in this category that representations
such as models, miniatures, or mock ups are used. There are things
or events that may be beyond the learners grasp and so contrived
experiences can provide a substitute.
Dramatized experience- These are commonly used as activities
that allows students to actively participate in a reconstructed
experience through role-playing or dramatization.
19. Demonstrations – When one decides to show how things are done, a
demonstration is the most appropriate experience. It is an actual
execution of a procedure or a process. A demonstration of how to
bake a cake or how to execute the dance step is an appropriate way of
making the learning experience meaningful.
Study trips - These are actual visits to certain locations to observe a
situation or a case which may not be available inside the classroom.
Exhibits - These are displays of models such s pictures, artifacts,
posters, among others that provide the message or information. These
are basically viewed, however, there are currently exhibits that allow
the viewers to manipulate or interact with the display and as a result,
the exhibit becomes more engaging and fun.
20. Television and motion pictures – These technology equipment
provide a two- dimensional reconstruction of a reality. These allow
learners to experience the situation being communicated through the
mediated tools. They provide a feeling of realism as viewers try to
understand the message portrayed by actors in the films.
Still pictures, Recordings, Radio – Still are pictures or images.
Together in this category are the audio-recorded materials or
information broadcast through the radio.
21. Visual symbols – These are more abstract representations of the
concept or the information. Examples of these are information
presented through a graph or a chart. For Example, a process can be
presented using a flow chart.
Verbal symbols - This category appears to be the most abstract
because they may not exactly look like the concept or object they
represent but are symbols, words, codes or formulae.
22. Brunner’s three tiered model of learning points out that
every area of knowledge can be presented and learned in
three distinct steps.
1. Enactive- a series of actions
2. Iconic- a series of illustrations or icons
3. Symbolic- a series of symbols
Jerome Bruner's Theory of Development is based on the
assumption that we learn best when we go from concrete
to abstract in a three-step process: First comes hands-on
“Action”, then learning with “Images” and finally
students transform what they've learned into
