If students are sick, it is important that they do not feel pressure to attend class in person. It can be challenging to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Conclusion. While teachers take their satisfaction from their students results and their fulfilment, they also need to grow and learn. groups in Canvas for your students collaborative work, . The pandemic exposed educational inequities and areas of urgent need--and now, schools have a unique opportunity to press pause and reimagine their practices. For some education facilities, remote learning has been a reality for many years, and the COVID 19 situation just made it a necessity and not a choice. Provide them with a video, schedule their own group meetings in Zoom. Both students and faculty members are able to adjust to flexible learning better now than before, de Vera said. Some students may find it difficult to learn a subject and take more time to understand. A leader without emotional flexibility is dismissive of others' concerns and emotions and shuts down discussion. In fact, you can use this as an opportunity for students to learn and practice communicating explicitly with their groupmates about their intended contributions and availability. Switching to an online learning environment can be tough for some students. Virtual synchronous courses mean some synchronous elements when students virtually attend the classroom simultaneously on the same day each week. The Importance of Flexibility in Education. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Academic Technologies has created instructions on, how to create a Zoom meeting for a single student, how to create a one-on-one meeting with a student in Teams. Technology today allows us to connect in so many different ways. More than the flexibility of the physical space where children can choose between online and physical learning environments, flexible learning also makes time flexible. Benefit from students preference for virtual office hours. , 53 percent of incoming undergraduates reported a substantial increase in mental and emotional exhaustion. These include: These practices complement the course design and planning ideas in Teaching in the New Normal: 5 High-Value Course Practices for Flexible Teaching. They are not obliged to stick to the curriculum. 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. 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. Explicitly communicate and problem-solve with your students about how students can best participate in any modality. Why? The Learning Styles of the Students. The investigator prepared a flexible learning schedule to find the new learning design in classroom process. Thus, studies on ELT MD in online or FL remain underexplored. And Teachers can use this to their advantage in the virtual classroom. This means taking on various responsibilities simultaneously and responding to students needs. For example, if a student missed several weeks of group work, the student could complete individual work that demonstrates. What are possible alternatives for in-class activities? The main benefit of synchronous learning is that youll have the support of others in the exact same situation as you. Some argue that this flexibility may not allow students to learn all about the subjects. You can create a powerful learning experience for your studentsand a more joyful teaching experience for yourselfby carrying that lesson forward and taking concrete steps to connect more fully with your students in and out of the classroom. Know the technology. And one of the most compelling arguments isbig data. When some of your students are participating in person and others are joining online, monitoring questions and contributions across modalities can be challenging. The truth is that the more flexible a learning environment is, the higher the engagement rate of the students. producing a journal entry that reflects on their week's learning. Help students learn how to actively engage with recorded lectures before, during, and after they view them for example by uploading this, guide for students on how to get the most out of recorded lectures. CHEd is urging all academic institutions to vaccinate their frontline workers against COVID-19. Accessibility offers students the possibility to go back and review the course any time they need, to have unlimited access to resources that allow you to improve and fill in the gaps. Students will appreciate this expanded range of opportunities to connect with you. This is why flexibility in learning is essential. While we all have experienced challenges with web conferencing, meeting in real time online has been normalized since the start of the pandemic. The ONE STI Learning Model is an educational framework that enables the students to continue their studies, move up to the next level, graduate, and seek employment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. You could include audio files or videos as part of your lesson. It commonly uses the delivery methods of distance education. Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. After some experience, you can start to deliver the expected course to your students. Technology is here to stay and the sooner you start using it in your Learning and Development strategy, the faster you can prepare your workforce for the "new normal.". Educational Psychology Review, 19(1), 3147. 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. Include prompts for things you want students to consider. The teachers adaptability to another learning type, the eagerness to put an extra effort to understand students perspectives, and the ability to teach the course on the go adapting to students needs make the difference. CAVITE: Incub8 Space, 2F Robertson Plaza, Centennial Road, Kawit, Cavite, 4104 Philippines, MANILA: DOST TOMASInno Center, G/F Bl. Technology Enriched Teaching Demo Teaching in New Normal: Developing Flexible Options Training Empowering Students to be Workplace Ready Training Strategies and Activities that Actively Engage Learners in Online Learning Training | Learn more about Maycee Guallar's work experience, education, connections & more by visiting their profile on LinkedIn for additional ideas and links to support resources that will help you implement these recommendations, especially for, . The word blended is already a give-away when defining this learning mode. However, besides this, it can also work towards developing teachers and making them feel a bigger fulfilment of their work while seeing students be more engaged in the classroom. Flexible Learning is the appropriate design and delivery of programs, courses, and learning interventions that address these kinds of situations in the new normal. Look at your course outline. Bob Daemmrich / Alamy Stock Photo. Example of these campaigns included Hybrid is the New Normal, Hybrid is Double Awesome, and 20 by 2020 (20 completely online degrees by the year 2020). It is the type of class that help learners get the most of it. There were four themes that emerged from the transcribed data in exploring the lived experiences of the students in the implementation of flexible learning in the new normal. 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. . 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. Education Northwest. How well a student adjusts to their new learning environment can have a direct effect on their academic success. You are also modeling agility in challenging circumstances! The period from March 2020 to present day has been a disorienting time for students. The flexible learning environment helps both students and families have a less stressful life as it grants them the opportunity to continue their passions and follow their dreams. Why? This means having such a high level of intuition on the students needs that your abilities to read into their moods will make flexible teaching easy. Our goal is to reach the remaining and most vulnerable 5% of children with no access to education in the region and support quality improvements in learning for . 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. Encourage social interaction. It needs to be accessible whenever possible and no matter where you are. So expecting each teacher to be equipped with all the necessary tools for this flexible learning environment is wrong. Flexible learning comes with many benefits but also many challenges. If your students have suddenly had to go from face-to-face lessons to online learning, you dont want them to think of online as potentially lesser than a physical class. setting a new personal best with a practice activity. Flexible learning involves the use of digital and non-digital technology. This clearly tells us that engagement is critical to a students success. Some examples of Alternative Delivery Modalities in the Philippine education system are IMPACT (Instructional Management by Parents, Community and Teachers), MISOSA (Modified In-School Education needs to exhibit a certain degree of flexibility to become what most students look for and need in this global world. The system of conducting online classes is very flexible and convenient for the students as well . These strategies reflect aspects of Kotter and Cohen's (Citation 2002) steps to build a guiding team and . If you teach in our global campus network, you can reach technical staff by emailing. The period from March 2020 to present day has been a disorienting time for students. Both have their pros and cons. Encourage your students to set goals for each week. Vocational Education vs Short Courses: Which Path Should You Take? Students learn best when they feel a sense of belonging in the class community for example, through class discussions and group activities. 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. The study explored the challenges and issues in teaching and learning continuity of public higher education in the Philippines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual courses 100% are when school fits into a students schedule. Check out Academic Technologies recommendations for, how to keep students learning between classes by leveraging recordings. 2.7. For this, teachers should firstly have flexible methods of teaching. 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. Technology is too expensive to be . - The student groups. Globally, many schools have already replaced traditional classroom setups with innovative flexible learning strategies since these are found to improve students' learning outcomes (Kim, 2020). However, the flexible learning environments put at the students disposal need to consider the students capacity to adapt and focus. Flexible learning refers to the combination of different methods of teaching, including the use of online platforms and digital or printed modules. Flexibility in assessment can not only accommodate unforeseen circumstances but it can also create a greater sense of empowerment in the learner (Wanner, Palmer, & Palmer, 2021). A 2020 review of research identified three dimensions of engagement: 3. 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. The outset of the pandemic brought the world to a pause last year, thereby challenging the way schools deliver education. Campus News. For students who need formal accommodations due to health-related or other ADA circumstances, please refer them to Northeasterns, To keep students and their advisors updated on mid-course progress, instructors in many colleges at Northeastern use the, system. Explore ways to provide free Internet access 10 2.9. Below are five practices that will improve the experience of your learners, increase their sense of belonging, and help everyone transition as needed between on-ground and remote learning with minimal disruption. Written assignments require application of the course material to students' lives. Create an Ask the Instructor discussion that students can use to pose questions for clarification about assignments. Why? Of those students, 70 percent anticipate high expectations of academic difficulty. Students may feel unsure of themselves and anxious. While it is a desirable educational goal, a flexible learning environment should be carefully considered and implemented. Consider sharing in classes, meetings, and Canvas announcements about the options that you can give your learners in case they cannot join in person or are absent for an extended period of time. However, despite the online learning curve for students and schools, there are many benefits to online learning. A flexible classroom can help respond to the different needs of each student. According to Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero de Vera, the national government agency that oversees tertiary . There are other ways to teach online that go way beyond delivering a livestream lecture or converting documents into a PDF. 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). Empowering faculty, engaging students in 'new normal'. Others will be allowing some of their students to come back at specific periods and do more synchronous versus asynchronous learning. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Instructors in the College of Professional Studies use the. If you are more comfortable speaking instead of writing out your notes, another option is to record audio summaries as a companion to the slides. Many educators and learners alike have expressed a preference for holding office hours virtually. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Students are unpredictable, and the course path may not be exactly as planned. Develop and implement strategies to reach the most vulnerable children in times of school closures 10 2.8. Give students the option of posting messages in writing or using the record tool to post video messages. All Rights Reserved. Working in long-term groups creates deeper relationships (Sweet & Michaelsen, 2007), giving students opportunities to make up for unexpected or long absences. Five strategies that could help make flexible teaching more successful should it become necessary in the future. 6 Strategies for Success in Distance Learning. On the contrary, students will feel more engaged and interested in the topic if their opinions are heard. Why is flexibility important in teaching? Sometimes this activity connects one activity to the next one, and sometimes it emphasises something you need to strengthen, while sometimes, it just means a relaxing time to focus on the next class. It should be accessible to anyone, following any school and any grade. Provide links to support resources such as, , letting students know that you value their health and wellbeing. No spam. These are located in the emerging urban areas of Tanza, Cavite; Lipa City, Batangas; San Pablo City, Laguna; Pandi, Bulacan; Calamba City, Laguna; Nasugbu, Batangas; and Magalang, Pampanga. Flexible assessment and student empowerment: advantages and disadvantagesresearch from an Australian university, https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1989578. Reach technical staff by flexible learning strategies in the new normal class that help learners get the most compelling arguments isbig.. The use of digital and non-digital technology and student empowerment: advantages disadvantagesresearch. They are not obliged to stick to the curriculum educators and learners alike have expressed a for! Are sick, it is the type of class that help learners the! Can best participate in any modality incoming undergraduates reported a substantial increase in mental and emotional.... The word blended is already a give-away when defining this learning mode links to support such! 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