A centre of expertise in digital information management Approaches To E-Learning: The Users’ Perspective Brian Kelly UKOLN University of

A centre of expertise in digital information management

www.ukoln.ac.uk

Approaches To E-Learning:The Users’ Perspective

Brian KellyUKOLNUniversity of BathBath, BA2 [email protected]://www.ukoln.ac.uk/

UKOLN is supported by:

Contents• Session Aims• Hands-on Session• Discussion

Contents• Session Aims• Hands-on Session• Discussion


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Session Aims

The aims of this session are: • To gain hands-on experience of key e-

learning technologies• To reflect on the strengths and

weaknesses of the tools • To help to identify the technologies which

may be appropriate for use in your organisation


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Hands-On Exercises

You should now:• Work through the exercises in the handout• Work in pairs and discuss your findings• Start at different points in the handout:

• Exercise 1 Online Tutorial• Exercise 2 Instant Messaging• Exercise 5 Application Areas (Blogs &

Wikis)• Exercise 10 Formats (Flash & SMIL)• Exercise 11 Learning Environments

• Bookmark <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/web-focus/events/workshops/trieste-2004/#urls> as this contains links to the resources in the handout


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Updates

In exercise 8.4 you can use:• Seedwiki at

<http://www.seedwiki.com/>• Swiki at

<http://www.swiki.net/~lisbk/ICTP-2004/1>

Use username / account ID ICTP-2004

E


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Discussion

• Have you come across anything new?• Are there any technologies which seem

very useful?• Are there any technologies which

disappoint you?


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Using An Online TutorialThe Virtual Training Suite (VTS):

• Funded by the JISC for the UK Higher/ Further Education sector

• Initially covered small range of subject areas, but due to popularity, coverage extended

• Learning approach embedded (discover, review & reflect)

Exercise 1Exercise 1

What did you like about it and what could be improved? What did you like about it and what could be improved?


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Using Instant Messaging (IM)

You’ve used the MSN Messenger Instant Messaging (IM) software:IM can provide immediacy

not available with emailIM can provide addition

features, such as sharing applications

IM can be very interruptiveIM software is not

interoperable (MSN and AOL IDs can’t easily communicate)

Exercise 2 & 3Exercise 2 & 3

What did you like about IM and what could be improved? What did you like about IM and what could be improved?


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Using Jabber Instant Messaging

Jabber: Open source IM initiative, with

variety of clients & servers Not reliant on organisations such

as Microsoft and AOL Currently limited

functionality Interesting ideas under

development such as BuddySpace from the Open University (UK)


What did you like about Jabber and what could be improved? What did you like about Jabber and what could be improved?


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Using A Bulletin Board

phpBB:• A bulletin board

application• Open source• Growing in popularity• How do I find out

about such forums?• Is the data locked

away?


What did you like about phpBB and what could be improved? What did you like about phpBB and what could be improved?


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Using A Blog

Blog (Web log):• An online diary• Easy-to-use software

for creating Blogs• Often use open

standards (e.g. RSS)

Can be used:• For student learning

logs• To develop collective

memory on courses


What role can Blogs have in e-learning? What role can Blogs have in e-learning?

A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.

A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.

http://www.matisse.net/files/glossary.html


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Wikis

A Wiki:• Collaboratively-edited

Web site

A Wiki:• Avoids need for

students to spend valuable time in learning HTML tools

• Develops community working and trust


What role can Wikis have in e-learning? What role can Wikis have in e-learning?

An internal linkAn internal link


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Orkut Social NetworkOrkut:

• Example of a social network

Social networks:• Further develop

community working• Can be importance in

distance learning and remote support


What role can social networks have in e-learning? What role can social networks have in e-learning?


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FlashFlash:

• Popular file format for creating interactive Web resources

Note:• Flash is a

proprietary format • Does not easily

integrate with W3C architecture

• Problems withaccessibility


What are the advantages and disadvantages of Flash? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Flash?


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SMIL And SVG

SMIL and SVG:• Open standards for synchronised

multimedia and vector graphics• Based on XML

But:• How mature are they?• Are tools and expertise readily available?• Do they have a role to play in your e-

learning environment?


What are the advantages and disadvantages of SMIL? What are the advantages and disadvantages of SMIL?


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MTS Open Courseware

Why bother developing e-learning resources?• It is expensive• You might be better using your scarce resources

for other activities• Quality e-learning resources are available for

free!

But:• The learning resource isn't the only factor• Learning support is also needed


What other issues did you consider? What other issues did you consider?


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VLEs

VLEs:• Virtual Learning Environments• Is this the solution to your e-learning?• How do you go about evaluating VLEs?• Or should you using CMSs, Blogs, Wikis,

… to develop your own e-learning environment?



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MLEs

MLE:• Managed Learning Environment• "refers to the whole range of information systems

and processes of a college or university (including its VLE if it has one) that contribute directly, or indirectly, to learning and the management of that learning."<http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=mle_overview>

• A VLE can be one component of an MLE



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MSc Healthcare Informatics (1)

Applicants will need:• Information about

course, requirements, costs, support, …

• Advice on technical requirements for (a) online application process & (b) course itself



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MSc Healthcare Informatics (2)

Students will need information on:

• Course• Progress• Fellow

students• Support• …



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MSc Healthcare Informatics (3)Course administrators will need to monitor:

• Course modules

• Students' progress

• Posting to bulletin boards

• Support queries

• …



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MSc Healthcare Informatics (3)Course administrators will need to monitor:

• Students' progress

• Posting to bulletin boards

• Support queries

• …



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Questions

Documents

A centre of expertise in digital information management Approaches To E-Learning: The Users’ Perspective Brian Kelly UKOLN University of