MAKING ON-LINE

7
FIELD 0R VIRTUAL
STUDY 2 LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
FS 2 SAFE AND
Learning CONDUCIVE
To have a meaningful and successful accomplishment in this
FS episode, be sure to read through the whole episode before
participating and assisting in your FS 2 Resource Teacher’s class.
Note all the information you will need and tasks you will need to do
before working on this episode.

Target Your Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Learning Episode, I must be able to explore the different ways of establishing a safe and
conducive on-line or virtual learning environment.

Clarify Your Task

Safe and Conducive On-line or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Education has dramatically shifted in recent years. Schools aligned physical spaces to
flexible spaces that integrate technology to support the 21 st century learning opportunities. The
modern learning environment incorporates the three elements: (1) connected devices such as
notebooks, tablets, smartphones; (2) audio visual tools including projectors and touch screen
displays and (3) purposeful furniture such as standing desks, collaborative work stations and
connected seating that allow students to learn in different ways at different times.

The on-line learning environment requires a constant access to connectivity which allows
learning to take place anytime, anyplace and anywhere. On-line or virtual learning can be
delivered synchronously, so the teacher’s role is moderator between the technology and the
students.

Unlike face-to-face, on-line or virtual learning does not happen in one contained physical
spaces but learners are in different imaginary spaces made possible by technology such as
computer network. Virtual classrooms refer to digital learning environment that allows teachers
and students to connect on line in real time.
Let us now consider the on-line or virtual classroom or learning environment. What are
some safety reminders to remember?
1. Encourage parents and carers involvement. Keep parents/carers informed of how you
and the children will be using the on-line platform.
 Assist them on how to set up appropriate home learning spaces, if students will
be learning from home.
 Provide contact times and classroom schedules.
 Provide procedures to follow and consequence if they failed.
 Share information about protection from cyberbullying and image abuse.
2. Make lesson plans as interactive as possible to keep attention of students. Be flexible
with class length and topics.
 Make assignments as guided as possible. Teachers may need to source research
sites to ensure on-line safety.
 Provide students with resources. Share with your students websites and videos so
as not to take them to inappropriate materials such as ads from You Tube and
other sites.
3. Encourage public chatting. Avoid texting students one-on-one, instead send a group
text, or group chat. When using technology like zoom, google meet, MOOCS allow
public chatting or group instead of chatting privately so that you can be part of their
conversation.
4. Use of password, log in and out.
 All students should have individual password. This should not be disclosed.
 No one should log in as another person.
 All users should log off when they have finished working.

There are more reminders to follow in the use of the digital platform for virtual or on-line
learning environment but for the meantime let us have a few. As technology advances, so do
policies and guidelines.

Revisit the Infographic/s

Participate and Assist
 If you are assisting your mentor in an on-line class, these are some reminders you should
share to your remote learners on a synchronous platform like google meet, zoom, MOOCS or
any other platforms you are familiar with and are using.
With the use of any google meet, zoom or any platform, organize a virtual class. Do this
with the guidance of your mentor.

 Make sure your  Find a quiet place  Be on time for the

device is charged. free of distractions. class.

 Be respectful at all  Stay on mute and  Stay focused and on

times. raise hand only if needed. task so you won’t miss any
information.

 Turn on your  Use kind words all  Teachers and

camera. the time. learners are dressed
appropriately.

Try to handle one on-line class and use the guidelines above. Happy virtual teaching!

Notice
 Unlike the traditional face-to-face classroom environment, online or virtual environment
is a bit difficult to manage. It is because Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is imaginary and
not in the physical sense. It has no corners or walls and it can be set up with the support of
technology.
As a teacher, what have you discovered to be easy to implement in your virtual class?
As a teacher it wasn’t easy for me since I don’t know the best way to implement in virtual
class in my own ways. But when I tried to have a class discussion with my cadets in the Google
meeting it is somehow good to use and they actually listen and participate well.
How did the students show their active participation in the lesson?
Aside from answering my questions my students also ask questions, giving ideas, making
response when I say “Did you understand class?” My Students are really active in participate on
my class discussion even it was only a virtual meet. They participate because they want to learn
something more then what I expecting.

Analyze
Which of the following is/are your analysis/analyses of on-line learning environment?
__✔__ It was difficult to observe the physical behavior of the students.
__✔__It takes time for students to learn how to use the platform.
__✔__Students who are alone in their home space find difficult to make responses.
__✔__Internet connectivity is a great factor to support a conducive environment.

Reflect
As a future teacher I feel that the on-line learning environment can be safe if my students have a
good connectivity in their own places also have enough gadgets to use during virtual meet. It will
also safe when I announce them in advance for the upcoming activity by that they will make sure
they can attend and be present. Since online learning is depend upon to the students where they
used to set themselves during virtual meet, I can say they were safe and learning.
I think that teaching in a virtual learning environment is a good space to be experience today. It
was convenience and less cost. But some of the teachers and students are having difficulties in
taking online class in some negative reasons. I can say that it was good because with this kind of
environment you can manage your time well and also you can have time for your family and
friends.

Write Action Research Prompts

 OBSERVE

Identify the problems brought about by the on-line learning environment.

Here are some problems brought by the online learning environment. First, student's
internet connection is unstable especially to those who live in remotes areas. Second, students are
easily distracted especially in any online games and also to any social media. Lastly, some
student's tool used for online class is having technical issues.

REFLECT

How would you solve them?

As a teacher I understand that mostly of the students are having difficulties in terms of
online learning. To solve those mentioned problems, first I will ask them what they preferred
means of learning like printed modules or online means. So it depend upon on them what to use
according to their preferences. For those living in remotes areas they should use the digital
modular learning and for those who always experience technical issues they can use printed
modules if they don’t have other option.

PLAN

What initial plan do you intend to do to solve the problem

First, I will consult their preferred means learning through private message. Second, if
everyone is settled I will instruct them what to do and how they can learn that way. Lastly, I will
update them in advance of the activities or exams through announcements. In this way they can
be able to learn with guidance.
Work on my Artifacts
Make a list of 10 websites where you can source references and instructional materials
for this episode. Place the list in the matrix like the one below. Share this with your mentor.
LIST OF WEBSITES and the TITLES of the CONTENTS
Name of Website Topics/Title of Content or Instructional
Materials

1. qcc.cuny.edu What is Religion?

2. britannica.com History of the study of religion
3. pewforum.org Religious Beliefs and Practices
4. uua.org Religious Tolerance
5. lumenlearning.com World Religions
6. pewforum.org The Changing Global Religious Landscape
7. study.com What Is Technology?
The Evolution Of Technology: Past, Present
8. discovertec.com
And Future
What are the advantages and disadvantages
9. skills.edu.eg
of Modern Technology?
Using Technology to Enhance Teaching &
10. smu.edu
Learning