Online Learning Technologies

Introduction

I will be writing about various different online resources, their uses, benefits and potential learning they can provide, I will also cite tools that can be used for these. First we will go through the uses of Video/Audio streaming and Online Whiteboards.

Streaming (Audio/Video)

Streaming data is a very useful online learning resource, it allows students to view real life lectures/demonstrations and classrooms from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

These are usually done via two ways, live streaming or viewing downloaded content. Within the former it is possible to link this with audio chat or IM chat giving the users a close to live experience, however if you have a thousand students, you might have no time to talk.

Whereas the latter can allow students to be in control of viewing the video in chunks and replaying or playing as they see necessary.

 I feel a useful method to use downloaded content is for the instructor to set times in which he/she will answer questions based on the lesson in the video.  E.g. Tutor will sit and take questions based on business systems lecture 1 at 5:00, 7:00 GMT, on Saturday.

This will allow all students to view the video ubiquitously and ask questions ensuring the learning is taking place while being able to ask question when necessary.

Overall I have used various video lectures for various different learning and found them to be exceptionally useful, especially within the technical arena where real demonstrations are done in real-time.

With regards to audio streaming, it is useful for the busy travelling individual, I wouldn’t recommend  watching a video while driving but an audio download, podcast or a recorded lecture is a good way to maximise your time.

 A learner who uses video streaming is able to visually see and hear what the lecturer is teaching; it allows them to absorb the information allowing them to feel as part of the class. The learner takes further confidence knowing he/she is being supported by a specialist and their skills are seen in real time. It has added benefits of increased reflection time and uses more of the senses which affect the cognition of the learning. Furthermore videos should be developed so that the student is constructing knowledge; I have seen video lessons, which have interactive questions during the video. This helps test learners attention and demonstrates the learners’ progress. This I feel is the way going forward.

Useful tools that can be used:

 

·         Skype: http://www.skype.com/en/

·         Webex: http://www.webex.co.uk/

·         MS LYNC: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/business/products/lync-2013

·         Teamviewer: http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

·         Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/

·         Edutube: http://edutube.org/

 

Video capturing tools:

·         Camstudio: http://camstudio.org/

·         Krut: http://krut.sourceforge.net/

·         Camtasia: http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

Online Whiteboards

An excellent method I have used for e-learning is online whiteboards, allowing students to post information. These are very similar to online discussion boards and forums, except in the layout.

An online whiteboard allows the online instructor to teach lessons thru which he/she can get an interaction similar to having a board, a good example of this is padlet:

 

This tool allows students from all over the world get to together and discuss a question, I like using it for mind-maps. These tools are used in real-time. It is similar to posting on a wall on Facebook or using micro-blogging site like Tumblr/Twitter, however it is a restricted environment with select people discussing particular subject. Furthermore the use of a graphical whiteboard coupled with graphical posts allows for a better interactivity.

I have students to particularly excel in discussing a certain question or completing a mind-map in study for an exam allowing all to see their skills and join others in learning more.

The tool is excellent for teaching from home, some online whiteboards have a host of features attached, including: IM, Audio Chats, Screen Share, Mind-mapping software, Learning Objects, videos and interactive quizzes.

Useful Tools

      ·         Coggle: https://coggle.it/

·         Padlet: http://padlet.com/

·         Board 800: http://board800.com/

·         Scrblaar: http://www.scribblar.com/

The above tools are exceptionally useful in providing learning to others they help improve
conventional learning and support people worldwide.

Voice Over IP

Voice over IP, is an excellent tool, to use within e-Learning it allows real time communication from anywhere in the world. There are many tools available such as Skype, Google hangout and Viber. Furthermore Microsoft have integrated Skype with MS Lync which can further be integrated with SharePoint LMS.

I feel it adds an additional dimension to E-Learning through the use of live video chat and collaboration. Skype has been used by gamers for many years and it has enabled to develop excellent teamwork and group support. Especially in multiplayer games. Likewise I feel these tools can be great when working on a team/group project, it allows good communication and live support and group discussions.

A method I would use is at the beginning of a course, create groups for learners at the beginning this will develop team working skills and enable excellent peer to peer learning.

 

Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is an excellent tool to use, I have used ICQ/Skype, which are rapid I.M tools that also supports audio chat. The best thing about it is it allows everyone to see each other’s messages creating the “whiteboard effect”, you can drag and drop, list and share links. It allows the course instructor to develop effective communication.

In my opinion the use of these tools are just the start, this requires the instructor to design meaningful communication, through effective discussion topics and polices for students to adhere to all.

 Peer to Peer File Sharing

Peer to Peer file sharing. This supports students in sharing objects and files. The technology is provided well within some LMS’s. It provides a platform for group work, especially when working in teams, and group projects. The technology also allows instructors to share files with students.

Examples of this technology: 

• SharePoint : http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/sharepoint/ 

• Moodle : https://moodle.org/

• Skilshare : http://www.skillshare.com/

 

Blogs

Blogs are an excellent method of sharing learning. Most blogs support effective communication and allows students to post comments, discus and ask questions. We are living in world where social media is an imperative part of human life and blogs fit in well to this society, the technology is available on computers, tablets and phones (I myself blog using my phone).

Blogs can be used in education to provide information on course assignments, develop discussions, creating a learning portfolio as evidence during an assignment, submit work and provide a place for file/information sharing.

The blog allows an opportunity for students to network outside their usual groups.

Examples:

Blogger: https://www.blogger.com/features

Wordpress: http://wordpress.com/

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/





Thank You for Reading!

 

 

 

How to Develop an Online Strategy?

There are four key elements to consider when developing online learning strategies, these have been developed after studying the three main learning theories: (Observational, Cognitive and Constructive):

 

1.       Clear set outcomes, learners need to know what these outcomes are and they need to agree to them.

2.       Testing on outcomes, learners’ whether they achieve the outcome or not should be put through a criterion, allowing them to see their progress.

3.       Learning materials need to be sequenced, so when a learner meets an objective outcome they are sequentially put to the next topic, e.g first teach how CPU’s work then explain dependent components: memory, storage e.t.c.

4.       Learners need to be provided effective feedback and a track/log of their progress and changing learning needs. As learners complete their course their learning and development needs will change, hence these need to be defined and agreed upon.

 

Some important factors to consider when developing online resources:

 

Important information should be centred or/and highlighted

Learners should be told why they are studying the lesson, which will help them find information they are looking for.

Difficulty should meet the learners cognitive ability, in order to promote progress and support, links to additional material should be prevalent

Develop strategies to support learners in remembering previous knowledge, (long-term memory link)

Use advanced organizers to activate existing cognitive structures: comparative advanced organizers (Ally, 1980) conducted successful research in this field

Provide conceptual models to support learners in retrieving existing mental model.

Pre-instructional questions/ case studies to support learners existing knowledge.

Use pre-requisite test questions

Information should be chunked, on a screen there should be between 5-9 items

Include organisation maps, where there are many elements on the screen.

At the end of a lesson ask learners to develop information maps, this will show deep processing and learning

Other strategies support deep processing

This will require learners to apply, synthesize and practice

Develop intrinsic/extrinsic motivational strategies (within the learning)

Encourage metacognitive abilities in learners

Self-check, exercise with feedback allows learners to reflect

Where possible transfer of knowledge should be encouraged. This will help give learning some meaning

Use simulations, real life cases, and practical application where possible.

 

The key to learning is learner motivation, I have found Keller ARCS strategy exceptional:

Keller 1983 Motivational strategy ARCS

Attention

Through  learning gain the audience’s attention, within online learning you could include: (questions, videos, case-studies or a community based quiz)

Relevance

Inform the learners of the importance of the lessons and how it meets their needs: having students set up personal learning goals and evaluating these according to course objectives help support learner motivation and retention.

Confidence

Make learner’s expectations and outcomes clear. Show learners how they will achieve, this can be done via a competency model or a design for success method.

Satisfaction

Feedback on performance, show learners how skills can be used in real-life.

 

It is important within an online learning environment, to have a strategy for motivation, this should be a pro-active strategy not a reactive strategy. Following the above principles develop an effective strategy.

 

Thank you for reading!

What is Online-learning?

 

Other names for Online learning:

E-learning, Internet learning, distributed learning, networked learning, tele-learning, virtual learning, computer-assisted learning, web-based learning, and distance learning.

Online Learning Definition:

The definition of online learning differs from person to person e.g. Carliner (1999) defines online learning as educational material that is presented on a computer.

This statement has is merits in that for education to be online, it has to be on some form of a computer (Tablet, laptop, PC or Kiosk) however it is a very limited explanation of which I believe is a much more complex area.

 Ally. M (2004) describes online learning as:  

“the use of the Internet to access learning materials; to interact with the content, instructor, and other learners; and to obtain support during the learning process, in order to acquire knowledge, to construct personal meaning, and to grow from the learning experience.”

 

I feel this is an excellent definition: Ally. M describes the learning journey a student would take while completing online learning.

In accessing learning materials over the internet (videos, books, audios, games learning challenges) and being able to interact with these resources, so it’s not just a matter of watching a you-tube clip or reading a PDF or completing a question paper. It’s about developing an interactivity of a group of resources that strengthen each other in supporting the learning strategy. It helps differentiate between reading an online book or watching a video and doing the exact same activities as part of an interactive learning strategy.

 

He continues by explaining the importance of an online instructor and an online learner community, focusing on the whole learner experience and replicated their roles within a virtual world. E.g instead of a classroom discussion you have online forum. Instead of floor walking, you have remote support, e.t.c.

 

The definition finally completes with the results of learning which include acquiring knowledge based on a set of objectives ensuring both personal meaning and growth from learning.

 

Ally further goes on to explain and include the learning experience which is usually another objective of learning, as well as learning the course elements the student also learns additional skills and abilities.

 

e.g if the online course requires research, or report writing these are additional skills students will learn.

 

Overall I feel it is an excellent definition of what online learning is.