E learning :E learning 2009 Options by Mandy Downing


Introduction :Introduction Nowadays, we ignore technology at our peril. Students use technology in all their social activities and we need to embrace such gadgets in student learning Podcasts, DVDs and other technology create a modern and interactive environment in which today’s students thrive What is e-learning?


Definition :Definition E-learning: "Covers a wide set of applications and processes such as Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, and CD-ROM." (Kaplan-Leiserson, 2000)


What does e-learning include? :What does e-learning include? Computers Software Technical equipment – Lego, Solar cars Web Pens/Tablets Graphics Calculators Computers in Exams Whiteboards iPod / iPod Touch Pod Casts Videos DVDs Class Capture Forums / Discussion Groups WDDS / Movement sensors Any form of learning which has an electronic basis


Hardware / Software :Hardware / Software


Promoting Learner Involvement :Promoting Learner Involvement “A constructivist perspective views learners as actively engaged in making meaning, and teaching with that approach looks for what students can analyze, investigate, collaborate, share, build and generate based on what they already know, rather than what facts, skills, and processes they can parrot. Some of the tenets of constructivism in pedagogical terms include:” Students come to class with an established world-view, formed by years of prior experience and learning. Even as it evolves, a student’s world-view filters all experiences and affects their interpretations of observations. For students to change their world-view requires work. Students learn from each other as well as the teacher. Students learn better by doing. Allowing and creating opportunities for all to have a voice promotes the construction of new ideas.


School resources :School resources Schools are now generally well equipped with computers and networks Given the school has resources available for students, there is a wide range of activities students can be involved in. These can be managed via a virtual learning environment


Virtual Learning Environment :Virtual Learning Environment Moodle is one such environment It allows: Online / Offline Assignments Chat Choice / Surveys Database Forums Glossaries Labels Lessons Quizzes Resources Workshops


VLE Environment :VLE Environment


Setting up a course :Setting up a course Typical tools used in a course are: Forum Student Glossary Assignment upload Chat Room Messaging Calendar – Upcoming course events schedule


Resourced or linked to :Resourced or linked to Online Textbook Timelines Quiz Links to resources such as Online books Podcasts Interactive maps Related websites Student Notes Video links Revision Embedded Wikipedia search engine Research


Example Log :Example Log


Database Creator :Database Creator


Google Forms :Google Forms Google Forms are a function of Google Docs. They are very simple to create – simplicity of use being one of Google’s principles. Information from submitted forms feeds into a Google Spreadsheet and results can also be viewed in a nice graphical summary view.


Uses of Google Forms :Uses of Google Forms Setting Group Preferences Intro to the Course Questionnaire Word Association tasks End of Topic Surveys Gathering Contact List Details Online Application Forms Class Vote or Team Vote Group Member and Topic Preferences Forms can be with themes, emailed as a link or added to web pages by embedding or linking, adding new columns in the spreadsheet without affecting later entries into the form, time/date-stamped entries, summary graphs


Setting up a Google form :Setting up a Google form


Database response :Database response


Blended Learning :Blended Learning Mark Callagher says “Blended Learning as the introduction of the best of online learning tools and strategies into a face-to-face learning environment with an emphasis on engagement through increased participation and interaction.” The online environment allows anytime, anywhere, learning


Interactivity :Interactivity In educational theory interactivity has been defined more broadly as communication, participation and feedback (Muirhead, 1999) or as an interplay and exchange in which individuals and groups influence each other (Roblyer & Ekhaml, 2000).


Good Interaction :Good Interaction Student learning experiences are far more significant when they are active, interactive and reflective (Payne, 2007). Some believe that student interactions are an essential condition for learning and that those interactions contribute to deeper learning and more meaning as new information is presented (Ally, 2004, Mayes, 2006). The increase in student learning through interactions can be measured by increased engagement, assessment performance and student satisfaction (Zirkin & Umler, 1995; Mishra & Juway, 2006).


Slide 21:An attempt at social presence in purely distance education, particularly through the use of asynchronous forums, has evolved into a perceived necessity for enhancing blended learning (Anderson, 2005). The need for high levels of interactivity is now seen as an essential element of the effective integration of ICT’s into a face to face learning environment. These ICT’s can also create new learning possibilities by expanding student interactions to include more diverse and global communities (MCEETYA, 2005).


Slide 22:The argument that interactivity is enhanced in a blended learning environment I will leave to Weaver, Spratt and Nair (2008) who, having researched the implications for quality when using a learning management system, claimed that … the appropriation of technology for teaching suggests great opportunities for the promotion of innovative and interactive quality e-learning environments … and that … such pedagogies aim to encourage learners to become autonomous lifelong learners, capable of problem solving and critical thinking, and to move them from being passive recipients of information and knowledge to being active, enthusiastic learners and knowledge creators.


What do students think? :What do students think? A survey completed by Mark Callagher shows: Students were asked in a questionnaire (n=24) to rate the usefulness of online resources and activities in helping them to understand the content. The readings (89% positive rating) and the quizzes (87% positive rating) rated highest by a big margin. Students in the focus group emphasised how useful they thought the online textbook was saying that the interface and layout made it easy to read: ... it was easy because of the tabs down the side. And you can click on those. In a textbook you have to go back to index and look and then look up the page whereas with these, you could just click on the tab you wanted. They also rated the quiz as a really good way to revise and as a tool which helped with comprehension and retention of information: With the quizzes … it was like good because if you read the textbook, you just like read it and you forget about it … but if you do the quiz you have to go back and think about it and it sort of stays in your brain that way.


Teacher response :Teacher response I think that definitely the forums meant that a wider range of kids took part and I think as a result of being stuff that they had to write down and see their name next to it was quite thoughtful, whereas in class there might be fewer kids that were engaged in sort of taking part in those sort of discussions.


Range / Delivery :Range / Delivery The Learning Management System enables greater range of content delivery modes to meet the needs of different learning styles. Some students preferred to just read content and do the quizzes. Some students really enjoyed the podcasts that were made available. Others liked learning from the YouTube documentary videos. Others preferred a lot of discussion whereas some preferred little.


Parental view :Parental view The online learning seemed very effective in capturing attention and enthusiasm. He spent a great many hours watching podcasts and reading online we often had trouble pulling him away from it! The historical footage undoubtedly made the subject more real for him as well as being more interesting than reading a lot of text on its own. From what I observed, there was a lot of flexibility in that he could choose from a considerable range of options and spend as long on different aspects as he wished so he could follow up what seemed most interesting to him in greater detail, and he was often drawn from one thing into another.


Aims for E-Learning :Aims for E-Learning All students and teachers will have access to information technology in their classrooms, schools, communities, and homes. All teachers will use technology effectively to help students achieve high academic standards. All students will have technology and information literacy skills. Research and evaluation will improve the next generation of technology applications for teaching and learning. Digital content and networked applications will transform teaching and learning.


Popular Methods :Popular Methods MP3 / MP4 players can be used listen to or watch videos or pod casts prepared by teachers, or downloaded from the internet


Interactive Whiteboard :Interactive Whiteboard Interactive whiteboards use software and annotative tools to seamlessly highlight, draw, capture and export at the touch of a finger


iPod Touch in School? :iPod Touch in School?


Thanks :Thanks Thanks go to the following people/companies for their contribution to this presentation Google forms Moodle Ischool initiative Mark Callagher – Wellington High School