Collaboration with the engineering class.

Interesting.  Didn’t know what to do at first but I think I got it:

Based on the context of the learner and a particular learning theory design an e-learning course. Which technology will be used for the course.

Engineering students will focus on the technical aspect of these technologies that will effect the course. (what is needed? recommendations?)

 What is learning? “The best definition is to conceive of learning as a relatively permanent change in behaviour with behaviour including both observable activity and internal processes such as thinking, attitudes and emotions.”Burns, R. 1995, The Adult Learner at Work. What is your definition of learning? 

Learning is the process of acquiring information and turning it into knowledge.

  Behaviourists attempted to study behaviour and learning from a scientific approach – only observable and measurable behaviours are reliable.   They explain human behaviour in terms of cause and effect – therefore learning is a modification of behaviour by application of stimuli, shaping of responses and the provision of reinforcement.  Learning is demonstrated in the response or behaviour of the learner. TASK: Watch the following video from the Wharton University of Pennsylvania:http://www.learningwiki.com/theory  Part 1 – Behaviourism  Examples you may be familiar with:Classical Conditioning – Pavlov’s  DogsThe learner (dog) is conditioned (learns) to emit a response (dribble) which was originally a natural response to another stimulus (food) to a new stimulus (a bell). Classic conditioning can also be demonstrated by our ability to generalize our responses to stimuli.Eg. A household drill may cause a reaction for a person that has had an experience with a dentist’s drill! 

What effect might generalizing have in e-Learning contexts?

 

Depends on what is being generalized. If the way the teaching method is generalized then it may have a negative impact in that the students may not have the same learning approach and their learning can be disadvantaged or would take longer than usual. If content is generalized and students are encouraged to have their own approach in the way they learn it, then it would be beneficial because they will not be limited.

Operant Conditioning – SkinnerSkinner argued that people learn to behave in ways that help them obtain things they want or avoid things they don’t want. Reinforcement is used  (money, promotions, success, praise etc) to increase the likelihood of the desired response being repeated. Skinner believed that by ignoring a response, without reinforcement the behaviour will die out. Negative reinforcement – knowing how to avoid unpleasant or dangerous circumstances.Punishment – creating unpleasant situations to decrease unwanted behaviour.Feedback – is used to reinforce behaviour and let learners know how they are doing. Principles emphasised by Behaviourist theory: 

§         The learner must be able to respond actively

 

§         Frequency of repetition of responses is important in acquiring skill

 

§         Reinforcement is vital to obtain repetition of required or correct behaviour

 

§         Generalisation suggests the importance of practice in varied situations

 

§         Immediate feedback of results is strongly motivating

 

§         Shaping behaviour by the reinforcement of approximate responses is essential in learning new skills

  Burns, R. 1995, The Adult Learner at Work, Business & Professional Publishing, Sydney   

I still find it very hard to blog regularly.

There may be some reasons to that:

• My attitude and culture has not changed to be able to blog without even reminding myself to do so
• Work and study juggle

Advantages:

• incidental learning
• meeting people

Why people come back:

• the way the environmant is built
• human computer interaction

Issues:

• people cannot see if the others are “active”
• easy to get lost
• need to get used to the functions
• technical limitations (internet speed)
• use other mediums when internet speed slows down
• synchronous issue (time differences)
• Need asynchronous parts, e.g. video recordings for people to see if they’ve missed out

How and when would you use it?

• Distant education
• Visual representation of the real world e.g. new factory (what it looks like, etc)
• Teaching hospitality, can do role play, representation of the real situation (stimulation)
• Socialising, networking (student want to come to learn)
• Providing space for students to build their own learning environment.

1.3 Communication Technologies

 

Synchronous versus Asynchronous

 What is synchronous communication? Provide examples: 

Examples: q   Chatting q   Discussion forumsq   Video conferencingq   q

   What is the benefit of synchronous communication? When would you use it? 

You would use it when there’s time constraint or where there’s a lot of time for back and forth communication, when you want immediate response, in a one on one situation Examples:q   Immediacy q   social presence, sense of close by to get helpq   get feedback easilyq  Social connection

  Current trends in e-Learning are indicating that effective learning can be enhanced through the use of these communication techniques.  

                                                                                     

What do you think are some of the drivers in the current environment? 

MSN messenger, the fast paced world that we live in now where everything needs to be fast e.g. Fast food

 

 

 What is asynchronous communication? Provide examples: 

Examples:q   E-mailq   Discussion boardq   Bloggingq   Facebookq  Letters

   What is the benefit of asynchronous communication? When would you use it?

When there’s time constraint that hinders back and forth immediate communication, when there’s no time constraint for response,  Examples: q  More thoughtful response q  Easier to be documented  q  Easier to manage especially when communication is between more than two peopleq   q

  

 

            Current trends in e-Learning are indicating that effective learning can be enhanced through the use of these communication techniques. What do you think are some of the drivers in the current environment? 

Email providers such as hotmail and yahoo, using blogs and wikis, facebook,

  
 

The use of asynchronous technologies has been widely ignored as an appropriate method for enhancing learning through collaboration of learners.

  

Gilly Salmon’s Computer-Mediated Conferencing (CMC) Model (2000) however, now provides the e-moderator or facilitator a structured process through the use of e-Tivities to create meaningful learning activities.

  

 

The diagram above outlines Gilly Salmon’s 5-stage CMC model. (Salmon,G. 2000, e-Moderating, Kogan Page, UK)

Follow the link below for an interactive explanation of the model:

http://www.atimod.com/e-moderating/5stage.shtml 
 

 

Activity 1.2   Web-based applications

  

What is meant by web-based application?

Applications that is available on the web (internet).

They can be free or not, available for all or user restricted,

Examples include: Google spreadsheet, edublogs.org etc.

 What is Web2.0?

Web 2.0 is a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to facilitate creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. With these advanced capacities, a second generation of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies, are evolving (Wikipedia).

 What is its relevance to learning?

It meant that the definition of learning has been broadened, learning can be achieved in many new ways, learning can be a life-long, learning is between a shared knowledge and understanding.

   

Read: Alexander, B. 2006, Web2.0: A new wave of Innovation and Teaching and Learning?, Educause, March/April, pp.33-44 http://connect.educause.edu/apps/er/erm06/erm0621.asp Re-read (from e-Learning Experiences): e-Learn 2.0 from Stephen Downes 2005 http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=29-1

 List web-based applications you are familiar with:ü  Weblogsü  Wikisü  Chatq  Podcastingq  Web conferencingü  RSS & aggregationü  Social Networkingü  e-Portfoliosü  Virtual worldsq   q     List web-based applications you would like to explore further: q  Podcastingq  Vodcasting

q  Data Mashups

 Read: The FutureLab report , “ Social Software and Learning”, 2006.
The PDF file is available in UTSOnline in the Subject Documents tab, in the Technology Framework folder.

This report will provide you with some context and materials for your group projects.

In your work context:

 

What experience have you had with e-Learning? Only in a classroom based activities (for education purposes not for work). By using applications such as blogs, wikis, social bookmarking and watching grassroot videos. Describe the methods of delivery you have experienced?Videos, projectors, blogs, e-mail, wikis, grassroot videos,  How do these relate to the definitions and practices of e-Learning outlined in the earlier readings?

RSS and Aggregation

 RSS has been heralded by some as one of the most empowering developments in the web-based applications. Watch: CommonCraft “ RSS in Plain English” http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english What is RSS?RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content including, but not limited to, blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts. An RSS document (which is called a “feed” or “web feed”  or “channel”) contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with web sites in an automated manner that can be piped into special programs or filtered displays (Wikipedia).  How does it work? 

RSS content can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader” or an “aggregator”. The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed’s link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds (Wikipedia).

  How can RSS be used in this subject?                                  

RSS can be a useful tool in this subject to keep students in touch with new information that are being generated without needing to read too much of it or need a lot of space to store it.

  What is aggregation of information referring to?The combining of a lot of different information into one space.   How does it work? 

It combines multiple web feeds into one particular space.

   How could aggregation be used in this subject? 

From the feeds that are collected, aggregation will keep them into one space so that it is easier for students to search and locate the information.

 

Self-publishing

 List self-publishing applications you are familiar with: ¨    Youtube ¨    Blogs¨    Wikis¨    ¨    Watch: CommonCraft “ Blogs in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs Watch: Commoncraft “ Wikis in Plain English” http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english Consider your use of self-publishing in e-Learning Experiences.What impact did this have on your learning? 

Learning became more about what I’ve learnt and understands than what I could learn or understand. It become more ‘me’ centered and it became more important because I don’t want to publish the “wrong” thing.

  

Social Sharing

  Can you identify examples where you have used social sharing in a learning context?(Tip: You used it in e-Learning Experiences!) ¨    Social bookmarking (del.icio.us) ¨    ¨      Watch: CommonCraft “ Social Bookmarking in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/bookmarking-plain-english Watch: CommonCraft “ Online Photosharing in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/show  What impact can this have on your learning? 

Learning became less daunting and easier, because it helps with finding information. Having social orientations helps with assuring that what you understand is understood by others too and they can help to make your understanding better, more polished.

Activity 1.1         Current Technologies

 Sorry, posted this late. It was because I couldn’t get in! Remember, edublogs is case sensitive!!Read: Minds on Fire: Open Education, the Long Tail, and Learning 2.0
by John Seely Brown and Richard P. Adler.
Published in Educause Review, January/February 2008.http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Review/MindsonFireOpenEducationt/45823   Now Read: The Horizon Report 2008The Horizon report is an annual initiative co-published by the New Media Consortium and Educause.
The most recent report was released in February, 2008 and describes six emerging technologies or practices that are expected to influence learning environments over the next one to five years. Visit the project wiki (using Wikispaces).http://horizon.nmc.org/wiki/Main_Page  All reports – from 2004 to 2008 – are available from this wiki. What are the 6 key emerging technologies identified by the 2008 report?

Grassroot Video – videos made by people that contain personal perceptions, interpretations, information such as the videos in youtube. Uses hosting services which handle the encoding, infrastructure and searching.Collaboration Webs – using web browsers that are small, flexible, free and that doesn’t require any installations to collaborate. People can edit group documents, hold online meetings, swap information and data without being at the same place or leaving their desk. E.g. Google Spreadsheets. Open programming interfaces allow users to author tools that they need and easily tailor them to their requirements, then share them with others.Mobile Broadband – new displays and interfaces make it possible to use mobiles to access almost any Internet content—content that can be delivered over either a broadband cellular network or a local wireless network.Data Mashups – mashups—custom applications where combinations of data from differentsources are “mashed up” into a single tool— offer new ways to look at and interact with datasets. The availability of large amounts of data (from search patterns, say, or real estatesales or Flickr photo tags) is converging with the development of open programming interfacesfor social networking, mapping, and other tools.Collective Intelligence – the kind of knowledge and understanding that emerges from large groups of people. E.g. Wikipedia. Social Operating Systems – the essential ingredient of next generation social networking social operating systems, is that they will base the organization of the network around people, rather than around content.

 Which of these technologies are you familiar with, and in what context have either used them, or heard of them?

I’m familiar with all of them except ‘data mashups’, although I may not have used the same term that are given in the report. I haven’t used ‘data mashups’ before because I was not aware of it and I have not really used ‘mobile broadband’ because to me, it is still too expensive to use. I’ve used ‘grassroot video’ in both social and educational context. Socially I use it for entertainment and educationally I use it to learn a few things in class. I’ve only used collaboration webs and collective intelligence in an educational setting and social operating systems for social purposes such as facebooking.

 Review the significant trends (p.6) – how do these relate to your experiences of technology in learning contexts?

These trends are likely to happen because I experience these instances at the moment and it seems that more and more people are experiencing it too. For example, from doing my research for assignment one it seems that there’s a lot of are following those trends such as using grassroot videos, collaborative intelligence and collaboration webs. Facebook has become a world wide phenomena for especially the young community. My pre-school friend, who I didn’t even know exist found me on friendster (like facebook), it was amazing!

Now, read: The Horizon Report 2007 Review your familiarity with the key emerging technologies from 2007 and your current technology experiences?

Social networking – e.g. facebook, myspace, youtube, etc.

Implication for learning:

• Use as a mechanism to tie together “learning management”
• Informal learning
• Regular interactions leads to incidental or informal learning. Increase networking skills, socialisation skill, technology skills, digital literacy skill,
• Platform for self expression, creativity

Examples of educational games: virtual hotel.

Horray! i’ve found all the examples i need for assignment 1! Westminster university, Brisbane graduate school of business and Deakin University.

The journey continues…

Welcome back! (^.^)\/

 

Module 1 – What is e-Learning?

Aim:

To introduce students to the concept of e-Learning and explore the history and components of e-Learning developments.Students will set-up the technology framework that will underpin the development of their final project or e-Portfolio, including a weblog, a social bookmarking account, and an aggregator.

 

Assignment 1: Set-up technology frameworkDue: Friday 24 August, 2007 Weighting: Pass / Fail compulsory taskTask:•          Set-up weblog•          Create Delicious account•          Create Netvibes account

These technologies will provide the basic framework for all work presented for assessment in this subject. Students will be required to complete a number of simple steps that demonstrate the ability to use these technologies to achieve set tasks. 

Weekly class activities based on readings and research will underpin the ongoing development of the technology framework which will be assessed in the final project.   

 

 

 

Activities included in this Section

1.1        Defining e-Learning

1.2        Glossary of Terms

1.3        Technology options

1.4        Resources: e-Zines & e-Newsletters

1.5        Set-up bookmarking and aggregation

1.6        Set-up weblog

1.7        Advantages & Disadvantages of e-Learning

 

 

Activity 1.1         Defining e-Learning

 

What is e-Learning?

Definitions of new terms are often influenced by their usage in common language – industry and subject matter experts will all offer their meaning on terminology that is evolving with market demands change.

 

 

Based on your current knowledge and experience: What is your definition of e-Learning?

E-learning is learning with the aid of technological devices such as the internet, CD ROMs, video, DVD etc.

 

Compare your definitions with the following: 

      “E-Learning is instruction that is delivered electronically, in part or wholly – via a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, through the Internet or an intranet, or through multimedia platforms such as CD-ROM or DVD. Increasingly – as higher bandwidth has become more accessible – it has been identified primarily with using the Web, or an intranet’s web, leveraging the Web’s visual environment and interactive nature.”Brandon Hall and, FAQs about e-Learninghttp://www.brandonhall.com/public/faqs2/faqs2.htm 

 

       “Instructional content or learning experiences delivered or enabled by electronic technology.”“A Vision of e-Learning for America’s Workforce”, ASTD,June 2001 

Readings:

Reading 1: Tsai, S. & Machado, P. 2002, “e-Learning, Online Learning, Web-based Learning, or Distance Learning: Unveiling the Ambiguity in Current Terminology”, e-learning Magazine, July.http://elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&article=6-1     Reading 2: Cher Ping Lim, 2001, “What Isn’t e-Learning?” TechKnowLogia, May/June, pp11-12.http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?FileType=HTML&ArticleID=267    Reading 3: Downes, S. (2005), “e-Learn 2.0” , eLearn Magazine onlinehttp://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=articles&article=29-1    Reading 4: Taylor, Donald H. (2007)  “It’s time to drop e-Learning” TrainingZone.co.uk , 11 Julyhttp://www.trainingzone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=170224

Activity 1.2 Glossaries of Terms

 

 

 

Read the article on the following website:“e-Learning Alphabet Soup: A Guide to Terms”http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art1_1.htm 

 

Why do you need an e-Learning Glossary?We need it because the domain of e-learning has its own jargons that we may not know. Some of the jargons of e-learning are also used in the wide domain of IT but may have a different meaning for the different context.     Where do you start searching?Google and then specific e-learning websites such as e-learning guru, learning circuit website etc.     How do you judge their relevance and credibility?Generally, website addresses that have .org on it are reliable. Websites of recognized organizations such as the ASTD’s (American Society of Training and Development) e-learning circuit website are reliable.

 

 

 

 

 

Record the URLs of Glossaries:

http://www.e-learningguru.com/gloss.htm http://www.learningcircuits.org/glossary.html http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/eclipse/Resources/glossaries.htm http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/ets/flexed/Lecturers/Skills&Info/glossary.html     NB: These URLs will be added to your social bookmarking site later!

 

 

 

 

New terms I have learnt:

E-journey is a guided tour of web sites designed to amuse, educate and develop the e-journey user.http = hyper text transfer protocolworld wide web = www – connected to internet (you are in cyber space)url – universal resource link – web address              There is a forum set-up in UTSOnline for you to share new words/terms – or to ask the group for definition & clarification of meanings.

 

 

Activity 1.3   Technology Options

 

The following are some of the components used in e-Learning – can you add to this list? 

q  Synchronous activitiesq  Asynchronous activitiesq  Videoq  Online quizzesq  Emailq  Chatq  Discussion forumsq  Web conferencingq  Interactive TVq  Simulationsq  Multi-user gamesq  Virtual worldsq  Online e-learning coursesq  CD ROMq  DVD  

Tick the components you have had some experience with.Can you define them? If not – use one of your glossaries from Activity 1.2 to find out what they are! 

 

Throughout this subject your lecturer will attempt to arrange a variety of exercises that will employ some of these components. 

 

Methods of delivery: 

In your work context: 

What experience have you had with e-Learning?At my workplace I use mainly e-mails       Describe the methods of delivery you have experienced?Power point, Online discussion board, Forum      How do these relate to the definitions of e-Learning outlined in the earlier readings?That e-learning uses many different types of technology and not just the internet.

 

 

Activity 1.4:  Resources: e-Zines & e-Newsletters

 

What is an e-Zine?E-Zines are magazines that are published electronically.     What is an e-Newsletter?Newsletter that is available electronically.     How do you judge their relevance?By looking at the publisher (publisher should be someone who is recognized academically),       Where do you start searching?Google,     How do you subscribe?Using your Netvibe and the RSS feed available from the e-Zines and e-newsletters websites.

 

 

 

 

Useful URLs:

e-Learning Magazinehttp://elearnmag.org     Training Magazinewww.trainingmagazine.com    Learning Circuits – ASTD magazinewww.learningcircuits.com    Others…..?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity 1.5 Bookmarking and Aggregation

What is social bookmarking?Categorizing web links     How could it be used in this subject?By organizing vital, useful web links into categories and in one place so that it’s easy to retrieve and use

 

Go to the Subject Documents tab in UTSOnline and open the Technology Framework folder.
There is a document called “Delicious “- follow the guidelines to create a Delicious account. 

 

 

What is Aggregation?An aggregator simply put is a “service that gathers information published by different sources and organizes it together under a common search interface.” (taken from Alison Taylor in the discussion board)   An aggregator, also known as a feed reader, is client software or a Web application which aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing (taken from Jan Quist in the discussion board) Eg. Netvibes    What is RSS?“Rich Site Summary / Really Simple Syndication (RSS) are a method to syndicate your site content. This is done by creating an XML document which summarizes specific site content such as news, blog posts or comments and forum threads.” (taken from Alison Taylor in the discussion board)   How can these be used in this subject?By using electronic applications such as Netvibes, aggregation and RSS feed can help

 

Go to the Subject Documents tab in UTSOnline and open the Technology Framework folder.There is a document called “Netvibes” – follow the guidelines to create a Netvibes account. 

 

 

 

Activity 1.6 Weblogs

 

In this subject each student will be using a weblog to publish all their work – including assignments. 

A wiki has been set-up to assist you with this process. 

Refer to UTSOnline, in the Subject Documents tab, in the Technology Framework folder for a link to this resource.

Activity 1.7 Advantages & Disadvantages                             of e-Learning

 

 

Based on your readings and research so far in this subject –  

What do you believe are some of the Advantages of e-Learning?

It gives learner time flexibility, encourage students who are shy to participate more, flexible to learn anywhere as long as the technology is available, learners become more indipendent, doesn’t waste paper,

 

 

 

What are some of the Disadvantages of e-Learning?

May decrease social/communication skills, uses electricity which also damage the environment, students who need personal ineractions would be disadvantaged,

 

We will review your comments throughout the course – make additional entries or amendments whenever you find information that you believe is an advantage or disadvantage to e-Learning. 

Read:“The Benefits and Drawbacks of e-Learning”http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art1_3.htm