What is Flexible Learning Options (FLO)?

• FLO Supports All Learning and...
  Courses delivered using the following Flexible formats:
  • Online Learning
  • Self-paced Learning (O.P.E.N. Learning)
  • Video-based/Telecourse Delivery
  • Mixed or Hybrid Delivery

FLO Supports All Learning
Several years ago a distance education strategic planning committee coined this title to describe distance education courses and the area that provided the support. Flexible Learning Options or FLO is generally still thought of in this way, but it has grown to be much, much more than that today. Flexible Learning Options provides instructional technology support for all learning.

Services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversight and guidance for courses that are offered by non-traditional means including courses using online, self-paced, and telecourse delivery in whole or part
• Integration of technology into any learning activity through consultation, training, and development support
• eLearning System (online course management system) support--for any instructor wanting to supplement a course or learning activity with online tools, and to help students who are taking a class or learning activity using the tools
• Instructional design services
• Resource for exploring new technologies and integration applications to enhance learning.

Due to the constant changes in technology, FLO has to be very flexible in the services and support provided as the title indicates. Therefore, if you are an NMC faculty, staff or student and don't see a service listed above, contact us at HelpDesk@nmc.edu or 995-3020; if we can't help you we will try our best to locate someone who can!

FLO Delivery Formats:

Online Learning
This includes any course that uses online/Internet delivery to take the place of face to face, on-campus class time. Most instruction now includes online learning to some degree, whether for online research, interaction (discussion forums or chat rooms), grade book, or as an area to access course-related materials. The difference between a traditional, face to face course that supplements learning with online components and one that is considered as a FLO-delivered course, is that a FLO-delivered course has reduced the number of scheduled classroom meetings with online learning activities. The course may be completely delivered online with no on-campus meetings, it may be 25% online with 75% taking place in on-campus meetings, or anywhere in between! Online learning may also use other delivery formats (listed below).

Self-paced Learning (O.P.E.N. Learning)
In self-paced learning, students progress through a course based upon the compentencies they have achieved. This is still often referred to it as O.P.E.N. Learning, but as online learning has changed over time, so has O.P.E.N. There are several variations of self-paced learning that instructors can decide to offer:

• Start time options:
  • Instructors can choose to have all students start at the beginning of the semester.
  • Instructors can choose to have students select when they want to start--which normally is anytime up to the the close of the adds/drops for the last registration period within a given semester (e.g. registration for second 7-week courses during fall and spring semesters). This option is referred to as having "Extended Registration."
• End time options:
  • Instructors can make the end date follow the semester timeline, allowing students to complete the course anytime up to the end of the semester inwhich they started the course.
  • Instructors can allow students to continue past the end of the semester. Students need to be made aware that they will end up getting an "Incomplete" for the semester they started, and will have an additional semester's time to complete the course.
• On-campus and/or online delivery:
  • Self-paced classes may require students to come to a lab, such as the O.P.E.N. Learning Lab in the Center for Learning, Osterlin Building. Learning activities may require use of materials only accessible within a given lab. In this case, instructors are expected to hold some of their office hours in the lab to assist students. The instructors become "Learning Coaches," and students taking self-paced courses can schedule lab time, when appropriate, during the time their instructor is in the lab. Self-paced instructors share this responsiblity, so often one instructor will help students taking other self-paced courses. It is a great team effort that all students and self-paced instructors appreciate.
  • When possible, self-paced classes may be delivered in part or entirely online. Students can still come into the O.P.E.N. Learning Lab, but it isn't necessary. All the learning components are accessible through the Internet.

Video-based/Telecourse Delivery (Telecourses)
Telecourses are one of the oldest distance learning delivery formats still around today. Digital video has enabled the telecourse producers/publishers to move to online, CD and DVD distribution. Learning resources and activities are often available to import into an online course area, such as a course shell in the NMC eLearning system. The publishers include: Dallas Telelearning, Coast Learning, Intelecom, and Annenberg. ACT, Inc. (formerly RMI Media) has many telecourses available for rental if students so choose to do so.

Student options for viewing video-based materials for courses include: Osterlin Library, NMC 13 (Channel 13 on Charter Cable), CMU Public Television, online (streaming video) and by rental of media through ACT, Inc.

Mixed or Hybrid Delivery
Courses often use a combination of two or more delivery formats. These courses are considered "Mixed or Hybrid" course offerings. The most common mixed courses combine online with one other format: on-campus, self-paced or video-based delivery. Using a variety of learning delivery options can actually help students learn, as well as offer flexibility. When content is available through multiple ways, it can reach students with different learning preferences.