UH, StudyNet & ‘e-learning 2.0’ Dr Andrew Oliver LTDU & BLU University of Hertfordshire

Preamble: We are officially web 2.0 Web 1. 0: read only, Web 2.0: read AND write Primary info on the net provided by the user: – Blogs & podcasts taking over from websites as news – Wikis & tagging & forums: primary knowledge & research sources Data & structure no longer exclusive to the host website

eLearning 2.0 Socially based software: collaborative, iterative, inclusive (discussion) = knowledge building & sharing Includes: – Blogs – Wikis – Social tagging – Forums – Podcasting Used in conjunction with each other

Blogs Google + ‘blog’ returns – 2.7 Billion results How many blogs? 43 mill, 60 mill, 90 mill? From July 2006: 175,000 new ones per day or 2 per sec Technorati track 50 million blogs Technorati

What are they? Blog = web and log = a simple webpage with diary elements ‘owned’ by single person (blogger) Items posted on regular basis Unedited / conversational tone (uncensored) Readers can leave comments - extend topic public & linked to other blogs (blogosphere) Search & subscribe (RSS) to receive updates

Blog types & StudyNet Individual: – E Learning Now! (social bookmarking) – On line Ramblings (topical) – LIS Research Support Group blogs – ‘StudyNet Groups’ & module websites – BusiBlogs (resources for Business staff & students)

Providers & examples Blogger edublogs.org (10,000 academic users) warwickblogs blogs.warwick.ac.uk (for Warwick only!, 4000 blogs)blogs.warwick.ac.uk myspace (100 mill users, 70% actively socialising)

So it’s a web diary? So what? What are the benefits? As a poster: – Creative outlet - user can express – Reflection about course content, career, current events – Improves writing, design & self critiquing – Enhance & establish reputation As a reader – Tagged entries (categorised – knowledge pool) – Keep up to date & spot emergent trends

Podcasting Google results for ‘podcast’: May 2005: 4,460,000 June 2006: 318,000,000

So what is it? Podcasting : iPod (MP3 player) and Broadcasting What does it mean? “a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for DOWNLOADING to a personal audio player“, New Oxford American Dictionary BUT… But you DON’T need an iPod In fact – you DON’T need an MP3 player

The technology is NOT new … but is MORE accessible. Easy to… – Create – Publish (i.e. upload to a website) – Subscribe and – Listen… at home, driving, exercising, waiting for buses – the ‘Dead time’. Mobile learning: when they want, how they want and where they want.

How does it work? Staff – Record using digital voice recorder (MP3 format) – Upload (‘publish’) to website (StudyNet) Student – subscribes to the podcast (usually iTunes) – downloads the latest recording to their MP3 player – AND regularly checks for new content But don’t need iTunes/ MP3 player… …the workstation is fine

Some examples websites EdTechTalk Podcast for Teachers (live from the Bronx!) Podcast for Teachers UC Berkeley Courses & Events Live Stanford on iTunes U Musselburgh Grammar Sch (UK) Musselburgh Grammar Sch StudyNet! Public Law (Penny Tongue)

StudyNet: Public LawPublic Law Module leader Penny Tongue For revision and preparation Recorded ‘live’ or pre-recorded Range 7 mins to over 1 hour instructions to user are included by default (but aren’t really needed…)

UC Berkeley Courses & Events Live examples of podcasted lecture sessions some live, some pre recorded. Mainly free to outside world Berkeley on iTunes U Access to lectures, guides, events etc.

Stanford on iTunes U Never mind the lectures here’s… News, visiting lecturers & speeches ‘Best of Philosophy Talk’,Microdocumentaries Stanford Initiatives (environment, health, International issues) sports (interviews and highlights, game coverage) music (concerts) 500 tracks (for the public) averaging 15,000 downloads per week (130,000 during the first 2 weeks)

What are the benefits? Where the player goes… so does the learning (makes use of ‘dead time’) Familiar technology = widen education (non threatening) Sits along side other podcasts : reaches into ‘digital lives’

How can I use this? (staff) Record lectures (during / pre) Weekly commentaries (hints, topical issues, faqs) Q & A and Tutorial sessions Interview experts, guest lecturers Podcasts: NOT repeats of lectures BUT an extension

The future? Institution casting Institutional promotion – Campus guides, student interviews, staff interviews – used to promote the university and it’s location to domestic and foreign students. Student support (news, religion) Linking institution to community – Profcasts, guest lecturers (seeds of interest). – Establish links to local schools (& abroad).

How can students use this? BIG in the States (K12) & Musselburgh, ScotlandMusselburgh Field trips, placements, language practice, record of group work, seminars, lectures, interviews, field notes, interviews (with each other, experts). Oral essays (poster!) sound affects, music, commentary, readings - pull in above to create their own interpretation

And the students… “VERY good idea, it is hard to listen and take in everything said in a lecture, and so to be able to hear it again is useful.” “This really helps me,....i struggle to take everything in, even though im listening, and often end up teaching myself!” “If you didn't understand an explanation in the lecture, you can listen back and maybe pick up on something you missed the first time round.”

Wikis: what is it? A collection of web pages – a website BUT… …Pages can be EDITED and new pages ADDED ….by ANYONE (well more or less)

What are the benefits? Authoring – collaboration on creating on-line documents / websites No hierarchy – all contributors are equal – ANYONE can add / change / remove: content, pages & structure Follow the evolution of thoughts and ideas – each change is archived

How can I use this? Collaborative project work (staff & student) Create: – Common Knowledge pool – Website (online resources & prototype) – Edit textbook – Prepare journal article / report – Assemble reading list, syllabus, guidelines Track evolution of thought processes Works in conjunction with blogs & online forums

And finally Podcasting at UH: Sept 2006 – Guidelines (detailed & simple) are now available Regular monthly sessions from Sept ‘06 E-Technology event 29 th Nov ‘06 Pre HE students are using the technology already!

More information This presentation is a condensed version of series of talks on elearning For more info please contact Dr Andrew Oliver (x 4754,