Yet as we have navigated these difficulties, we have also developed new levels of resourcefulness, creative problem-solving, and compassion for one another. The situation has upturned course schedules and attendance, disrupted teaching and learning . Why? For example, in the first week of class give students the option to record a 30-second introduction, write a short message, or post a picture that represents their interests or personality. Colleges and universities in the Philippines will not go back any more to the "old normal" of face-to-face classes. No spam. Emotional: the positive emotional energy associated with the learning activity. If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow. Alfie Kohn. The Handbook is available here. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development. Of those students, 70 percent anticipate high expectations of academic difficulty. Students may feel unsure of themselves and anxious. This means. Teachers also have the choice of time as far as flexible learning is concerned; they can also use different methods for learning. It is shown in the Table that the majority of the students are "visual" with 105 (52.76%); the auditory students are 36 (18.09%); 35 (17.59%) are kinesthetic, and there are 23 (11.56%) who are read/write. As far as flexible learning is concerned, it offers students the ability to have bigger freedom, express their ideas, and choose their educational path and learning pace. 1. This is a key component of a flexible, supportive classroom culture: students supported through positive words and actions perform better than students who experience a steady stream of consequences and corrections. setting a new personal best with a practice activity. Flexible assessment and student empowerment: advantages and disadvantagesresearch from an Australian university, https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1989578. Flexible online classes are an excellent opportunity for active students that want to follow their passions while also keeping up with their education. Hold a special Zoom session at the start of major assignments and prior to major exams. Focused on recalibrating its existing curriculum and processes in moving forward to the New Normal, the Faculty and Staff Development Committee (FSDC) of the University of Rizal System (URS) in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) conducted a webinar-workshop in this regard. Consider how you, build in flexibility and responsiveness using technology, to learn where your students are and how you can help them stay engaged. Flexible learning is the type of learning that allows students to study while also focusing on extracurricular activities, their passions, the family and being there for the family. Before the lecture, ask students to spend several minutes writing about what they think they already, about the topic and what they are wondering about or, to know. For example, a student who was absent during the first phase of a group project can take the lead on the final report. To Improve the Academy, 25(1), 207-224.https://www.wiley.com/en-us/To+Improve+the+Academy%3A+Resources+for+Faculty%2C+Instructional%2C+and+Organizational+Development%2C+Volume+25-p-9781933371085, Sweet, M., & Michaelsen, L. K. (2007). Checking in not only enables you to keep your finger on the pulse of student learning, but it also communicates that you care about your students, which is important to their emotional experience of learning in your classa central consideration of Trauma-Informed Educational Practice (Davidson, 2017). As schools reopen across the globe, students will likely return to a traditional face to face model of education. and upload all related materials for that unit into the module (e.g., links to readings, lectures, assignment information). Teleconferencing. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly FINEX Digest magazine and the monthly FINEX Focus newsletter. Why? It can be a combination of both or one of them. The main characteristic that flexible learning has is the balance this balance between school and life is vital, and it is what todays society needs. Through the use ofmachine learning and algorithms, its possible to track how students are progressing. Platforms that will be used but not limited to: modules, worksheets, activity sheets and the use of gadgets. A recent study found that students in New Zealand who had to quickly transition to an online learning environment adopted a learning strategy that coordinated their online LMS engagement with course assessment due date. As educators and students, you and your learners have faced unprecedented challenges. If your course involves in-class lectures, students who cannot attend class will be able to access this critical component of your course if you post presentations online. The pandemic exposed educational inequities and areas of urgent need--and now, schools have a unique opportunity to press pause and reimagine their practices. Provide them with a video, schedule their own group meetings in Zoom. Each student has different learning abilities, requirements, and interests; thus, responding to various needs as a teacher and transforming a fixed approach to teaching into a flexible one makes the difference. A flexible classroom can help respond to the different needs of each student. For many Australians who are working full time and wish to change careers, its just not practical to attend a physical campus full- or part-time. It takes time, and one needs to have patience and allow both teachers and students to adapt. It was found out that during school lockdowns, the teachers made . For example, in the jigsaw activity, the instructor assigns a different set of readings to small groups before class, having them develop expertise in their assigned readings and post summaries online. So, flexible learning is excellent as long as students understand that along with slightly bigger freedom of learning, it comes to a bigger responsibility for their future that lies in their hands. CerebroLMS allows schools to jumpstart learning for the new normal through the use of ready-made instructional content, auto-graded assessments, and interactive simulations with the least preparation needed to get your school running during the pandemic. There are a lot of pros to online learning. Reassure students who love routines. Why is flexibility important in teaching? CATLR provides a, list of university resources related to teaching and learning, that you may want to consult as you decide what to include in your syllabus. Record synchronous class sessions, as appropriate. Check out our sample. Heres a list of some flexible learning modes that were tested to be very effective for the new normal: In this mode, students are given the option to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in physical form which could be delivered by school personnel to their stakeholders homes. Students find it extremely helpful when educators directly acknowledge stressful events that we are facing together (. Here are a few higher education learning strategies Teachers and Trainers can use to increase learner engagement online: Ensure that youre always organised and have a plan laid out. A heterogeneous group of remote learners can do this part of the assignment online in a discussion or in Zoom. Higher education can remain relevant only by adopting new technologies and teaching strategies that provide the most flexibility to students. She is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their goals through education. Empowering faculty, engaging students in 'new normal'. You could think about mixing things up to ensure that students are engaged with their online lessons. Once experienced, as a teacher, you will inspire students. While the ride has been far from smooth, and the rapid transition for many physical classrooms into an online environment has been difficult, the Australian education system was able to adapt and pivot in record time. How can we equip ourselves to offer a rich and supportive learning environment for our students, to anticipate the unexpected? In this article, I share these insights and provide four strategies for optimizing the student experience in synchronous sessions. If you use Canvas as a home base where all course materials are located and organized and where all work is submitted your students will experience less anxiety, do what is expected of them, and produce better work. As an alternative to regular schooling, the practice of parents serving as educational facilitators to their children is seen to have been widely accepted over the recent years. For example, in education this data can be used to improve student outcomes, personalise curricula and reduce the student dropout rate. In the right hands, big data can be used to uncover trends and gain vital insights. Flexible assessment and student empowerment: advantages and disadvantagesresearch from an Australian university. According to Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero de Vera, the national government agency that oversees tertiary schools recently adopted a policy to further pursue the implementation of flexible learning in school year 2021-2022 and beyond. Students had a 388% (SD 58%) greater specific engagement with the LMS on the assessment due date and the day prior, than throughout the remainder of their course., However: a clear relationship between the level of student LMS engagement and student course grade existed. Just because everyone is learning from home online doesnt mean they can divide their focus between their class, thinking about what to cook for dinner and shopping online. In addition, students who can come to class have the option of referring to lecture materials while studying. What are the advantages of flexible learning? The period from March 2020 to present day has been a disorienting time for students. But if Teachers can encourage social interaction, the same as students can expect when in physical proximity to their classmates, then this could help to keep them engaged. Setting up a Zoom or Teams meeting can make it possible for a student to continue participating in synchronous class sessions, even if they are not able to join in person. Look at your course outline. Personalized learning is a mindset and approach to teaching that focuses on meeting each learner where they are and tailoring a curriculum that considers their interests, prior knowledge and skill level, and pace. The word blended is already a give-away when defining this learning mode. Here are some practices that you can use at the beginning and throughout the semester: Davidson, S. (2017). Join 7,000 subscribers. Technology is too expensive to be . Wanner, T., Palmer, E., & Palmer, D. (2021). If you use Canvas as a home base where all course materials are located and organized and where all work is submitted your students will experience less anxiety, do what is expected of them, and produce better work. For technical support while you are in the classroom, email requests for help with Teams, Zoom, or Panopto to, including the building name and room number in the subject line for rapid dispatch. Flexible learning also means flexible students. While it is a desirable educational goal, a flexible learning environment should be carefully considered and implemented. A flexible curriculum is open, versatile and responsive to an evolving student population. July 22, 2020. Students also felt lonely, depressed, and expressed financial concerns. https://www.ascd.org/books/understanding-by-design-expanded-2nd-edition?variant=103055, Strategies for fostering a sense of community, Strategies for organizing and assessing student learning, Strategies for supporting learners who cannot participate in person, but can participate online (synchronously or asynchronously), These practices complement the course design and planning ideas in, Teaching in the New Normal: 5 High-Value Course Practices for Flexible Teaching, Consider ways of intentionally fostering a sense of community with and among your learners. Encourage students to install and use the Canvas app on smartphones, if feasible. Providing a flexible education does not mean a lack of interest or lower interest. In addition, Canvas discussions make it possible for students to pose questions at any time of day, and you have control of when you respond. Learning then becomes extremely flexible, especially in response to changing situations and environments. Flexibility allows teachers to work in an environment where they can collaborate with their peers more; they can have a closer relationship with students and understand their needs. Led by its president, Dr. Nancy Pascual, the WEBrightShop on Flexible Learning . Mobile-first design. Flexible learning doesnt necessarily have to be online or hybrid learning. Being a flexible teacher means having the capacity to respond to your students needs, abilities and interests. If there are a few remote students, have those who are remote form their own group if the class includes breakout discussions and group work. 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