Distance learning allows students to learn without face-to-face contact with teachers through telecommunication technologies. It began with correspondence courses via mail but now uses online platforms like Moodle, Google Classroom, and Edmodo. These platforms allow flexible learning environments and borderless classrooms by providing features for instruction, collaboration, and accessing course content remotely. Common methods are live synchronous video sessions and asynchronous learning, which gives students flexibility to work at their own pace.

1. Module 4
BY JoemarieO. Rendon

2. Distance learning is a form of learning without a face-
to-face contact with the teacher and delivered via
telecommunication. In the past, this involved correspondence
course 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.
Introduction:

3. Lesson 1
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. Every
chance or corner becomes a learning space. With
technology, students can possibly continue to join
class sessions even if they are not physically
around. The library is not only a physical structure
where they can read published books but has also
become virtual.

4. Online Distance Learning
Online distance learning is not
a new concept. Some schools, higher
education institutions in the
country, and education agencies
such as the Southeast Asian
Ministry of Education Innovations in
Educational technology (SEAMEO-
INNOTECH) provide this mode of
learning. It allows flexibility in
learning to a certain extent.

5. 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 educational purposes.
It has features 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 question for
discussion, hold an online chat discussion,
give assessment activities and provide
references or links to other online materials.
Features relevant to instruction and
facilitating of learning.

6. The Different Platforms
“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.

7. The Different Platforms
“Google Classroom”
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 platform your roles and
functions as a facilitator of learning.

8. The Different Platforms
“Edmodo”
Edmodo was created in 2008 by Nic Borg,
Jeff O’ Hara, and Crystal Hutter. Edmodo is
an educational technology company offering
a communication, collaboration,
and coaching platform to K-12 schools and
teachers. The Edmodo network enables teachers
to share content, distribute quizzes,
assignments, and manage communication with
students, colleagues, and parents.

9. The Different Platforms
“Schoology”
Schoology is another LMS founded in
20119 by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang, Tim
Trinidad and Bill Kindler. Schoology is a social
networking service and virtual learning
environment for K-12 school and higher education
institutions that allows users to create, manage,
and share academic content. The service includes
attendance records, online gradebook, tests and
quizzes, and homework dropboxes.

10. MOOCs
A massive open online course (MOOC s) is an online course aimed at
unlimited participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional
course materials, such as filmed lectures, readings, and problem sets, many
MOOCs provide interactive courses with user forums to support community
interactions among students, professors, and teaching assistants(TAs), as well as
immediate feedback to quick quizzes and assignments. MOOCs are a recent and
widely researched development in distance education, first introduced in 2006
and emerged as a popular mode of learning in 2012.
Educause is a nonprofit association in the United States whose
mission is "to advance higher education through the use of information
technology". Membership is open to institutions of higher education,
corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and
other related associations and organizations.
https://library.educause.edu/topics/teaching-and-learning/massive-open-online-
course-mooc.

11. Two Teaching Method in the
Flexible Learning Mode
>Live synchronous sessions are usually held in a web-
based video conferencing platform like Adobe Connect, Skype,
or Google Hangout, though most Arts & Sciences online classes
make prominent use of Adobe Connect. In these sessions,
students and professors are online and logged into a class
session at the same time and it includes a real time.
>Teaching asynchronously provides an opportunity
for the students to work at their own pace and gives them time
to think over ideas or questions that they might want to share
with the rest of the class. It's important for the instructors to
use all (or most of) the features available on a learning
management system like Canvas. These include but are not
limited to: discussion forums, blogs, quizzes, group projects,
collaborations, etc.