PBL 3 - topic 4 by Carl-Magnus Edenbrandt

What is "flexible learning"?

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 18:27:17 UTC

There is no single definition but Ryan & Tilbury (2013) propose that it is "about enabling choice and responsiveness in the pace, place and mode of learning".

Why "flexible learning"?

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 18:33:17 UTC

"Previously, I tried countless times to learn Italian by first generation (print media) and second generation (broadcasting media) distance education, but I never succeeded. On the other hand, I succeeded well with Swedish and English, but here I had constant interaction while living abroad." (Markus)

Advantages

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 18:38:39 UTC

"online courses are more accessible and studying can be conducted basically when and where you please making them suitable for a wider group of students" (Beatrice)

Synchronous e-learning: videoconference, chat, instant messaging, face-to-face meetings, virtual classroom

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 18:43:19 UTC

Students become more committed, motivated and feel like participants. They get aquainted, plan tasks, provide support when problems arise and talk about other thins than class work.

Negative: Learners respond quickly because they do not want to disrupt, so focus is more on quantity than quality in conversations. (Hrastinski 2008)

Asynchronous e-learning: email, blogs, wikis, discussion boards, websupported textbooks,

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 18:59:22 UTC

Students have more time to reflect and comprehend complex issues, it is easier to find some new facts, have a look in a book, more content related discussions.

Negative: working in isolation, less feedback, less motivation, less social support. (Hrastinski 20008)

Being the teacher - what are the demands on you?

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 19:14:25 UTC

"How fast do students want an answer to a question to the chat-forum?(53 votes)

Immediately. I work with the problem NOW! 4%

I understand that it takes a few hours for you to respond. I do not want to wait any longer. 38%

I turn off my computer and hope to have an answer tomorrow night. 24 hours. 57%

I rarely have time to work on this more than every other day. 48 hours. 2%

5 days, I can wait. I find the answers in other ways. 0%" (Johan)

You have to be online, give quick answers, be supportive, facilitate, encourage and know both the content, the technology and put a lot of time in preparing the flexible education.

Assessment

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 19:18:23 UTC

Peer to peer assessment vs teacher assessing the student. What are we assessing, what are the learning goals? Content, skills, attitudes/values, digital literacy, social competence, learning styles???

This issue is not well worked out.

Being the student - what are the demands on you

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 19:21:21 UTC

One is that flexibility often entails that you have to juggle different parts of your life; studying, working, commuting, activities, interests, social- and familylife. Most probably, some choose online courses because they don’t actually have the time to study (Beatrice) (Mahieu & Wolming, 2013)

You can work as much as you want, but if you want there is a lot of more work to do. You need to meet deadlines, to collaborate, give peers support and feedback, (Nico)

Flexible learning - great for developing countries?

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 19:46:45 UTC

The access to the internet of developing countries is much higher than our thought, as our e-classmate Åsa found (see below). However, lack of funding, lack of technology for synchronous meetings necessitates flexibility of teacher's ideas. (Nico)

As a teacher working with a international online course you would have to make some efforts to ensure that the mobile interface of course platform is functional and that the learning activities are feasable on a mobile phone. If you include synchronous learning activities you would maybe also offer the option to participate with chat instead of video. Chat is a communication tool which does not require a very good internet connection. (Åsa)

Conclusion: Why should I bother about flexible learning?

cmedenbrandt — 2014-11-24 20:25:14 UTC

I have had my doubts, but since we are all individuals, both educators and learners, we probably need different teaching- and learning styles. So I have to understand the benefits and limitations of different e-learning techniques and methods. However, Ken Robinson emphasize that the most important factor is the teacher!