E-Learning Quality is in the control it gives to the end user EDUTEC CONFERENCE Tarragona, September 2006 John Stephenson Emeritus Professor, Middlesex University, London, UK Most of these slides are available on the internet at:

The Internet has transformed our lives…. Travel Music News Business Work

Why not in education? ICT has revolutionised roles of intermediaries and put the client in control The end of the pre-planned course?

The Internet is already transforming education… Essays on demand Title Plagiarism Degrees for sale Virtual campuses

Wiki Website or similar online resource which allows users to add and edit content collectively. See Wikipedia.com Audio material via iPods - user generated, or - broadcast - learning materials e.g. languages? Podcast Online diary, increasingly used in HE - monitoring of own learning and experience - initiating discussion around propositions - organic learner led communities of interest - public, shared (eg with tutor) totally private Blog Emerging tools for learner managed learning

MySpace a social networking website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, MP3s, and videos. the world's fourth most popular English-language website third most popular website in the United States, 109 million accounts new registrations at the rate of 230,000 per day.

Apple iTV and iTunes Apples new movie download service (September 12th 2006) - 75 downloadable full length feature films to iTunes - Apple's iTunes 1.5 billion downloaded songs sold - Apple movies on TV via wireless link to computer The Perfect e-storms 1: Emerging Technology, (30+ useful emerging tools) 2: Learner Demand, for e-learning degrees 3: Enhanced Pedagogy – more learner control 4: Erased Pedagogy - redundant methods Curtis Bonk 2004

The WebQuest Resources universally & instantly available, worldwide

Web Quests If you cannot beat them, use them. Internet use is a fact of life so learn to do it well Focus on intelligent use of the internet –Judging provenance and relevance –Proper citations –Critiques of source materials Develop independent engagement with materials Stop Press: Exams in UK will be overhauled in a bid to eradicate pupils cheating by using the Internet… The Observer, If you wish to join the online debate - go to

The WebQuest as a learner managed learning tool Focuses on techniques of searching using rather than finding information judging relevance of source and content justifying selection of material gaps in what is available demonstrating relevance of content to topic citation of sources what has been learned about searching Quests can be teacher led (initiation of method) learner developed, encouraging personal growth

Blue-water Shopping Centre, near London Drop-in learning centres

Suburban public library Commuter train station Drop-in learning centres

Already here! Convergence! ++ multi-media streaming, internet video tutoring - 1 to 1, 1 to many, groups wireless, anywhere(?), anytime games / TV remote navigation, controls 8 million PS2s already in UK Potential for learning?

…towards a learner centred, learner managed approach The technology is increasingly driving us …. The end of the pre-planned course?

Challenges for Education Pedagogical coherence

Capability and competence A way of looking at the world of actions Unfamiliar context Familiar context Unfamiliar problems Familiar problems

Capability and competence Position Y Competence: Reliable delivery; Performance standards; Error elimination; Technical expertise; Established procedures; TRAINING Unfamiliar context Familiar context Unfamiliar problems Familiar problems Y

Position Z Exposure, Autonomy, Networks peers Problem formulation, Courage, risk, Imagination, intuition, creativity; Responsibility LEARNING Unfamiliar context Familiar context Unfamiliar problems Familiar problems Capability and competence Z

Research on e-learning: key words ownership responsibility flexible personalised self-managed help recognition

Teacher SupplierManagerDesigner TechnicianLearner Key Actors in E-learning Learning model Communication via a common understanding Researcher

Offer the time, place, pace and style that responds to your needs UfI/learndirects pledges to learners Clear information to enable personal choices and control Materials relevant to your interests that actively involve you Help to monitor your own progress and record your achievements To give you easy access to the specialist support you need To put you in touch with other people studying the same topics To help you relate your learning to your longer term ambitions

Instructivist Constructivist Industrial Post Industrial Teacher Centred Learner Centred Experiential Learning styles Tacit Learning Learning Cycles Authentic Situated Problem- Based Communities of practice Pedagogy Jargon Lets KISS! Keep it so simple

Learner managed process Teacher Controlled Process Open ended, strategic learner directed Teacher Specified tasks NW NE SWSE Online Pedagogy Grid Presents traditional training and teaching by innovative means Gives learners control over style, location, pace, duration, sequence but not task Process predetermined - learners explore content and direction. System liberates and supports learners to decide and control own direction and process Coomey,M Stephenson,J 2001, Its all about Dialogue, Involvement, Support and Control, in Teaching and Learning Online, Stephenson, J, Kogan Page London

Learner managed process Teacher Controlled Process Open ended, strategic learner directed NW Teacher Specified tasks NE SWSE Online Pedagogy Grid Learner managed learning environment; Customised intuitive tools Wikis podcasts and blogs Google and other open sources online mentoring.

Learner managed process Teacher Controlled Process Open ended, strategic learner directed Teacher Specified tasks NW NE SWSE Online Pedagogy Grid (Coomey,M. & Stephenson,J. 2001) Vast majority of cases in research literature were in NW, some in NE and SW, few in SE The SE quadrant is where e-learning in work/life can be most effective

Some working examples of IT facilitated New Education for the 21st Century The Islamic University of Gaza The Learndirect Learning-Through-Work programme Job-start in the Australian Outback Self managed development via e-portfolios

Islamic University Gaza (IUG) July 2004 IUG wanted to train a core local team who can train others on developing electronic supportive content. Trainer(s): 1 or 2 specialised and experienced British professionals Duration: workshop for two groups, each for 24 training hours over five days Location: All training will take place at IUG in Gaza A British Council - Middlesex University project

Islamic University Gaza (IUG) Pedagogical approach Learner-managed learning approach not a content driven, step-by-step training session Establish each participant's starting point Work with their peers in their cohort group Individual learning agreements

Islamic University Gaza (IUG) Initial discussion setting up tasks and groups

Islamic University Gaza (IUG) Students presenting their own proposals for feedback

See at The UfI/Learndirect Learning Through Work Degree Programme

See at The UfI/Learndirect Learning Through Work Degree Programme (LtW) An opportunity for individuals and work-based groups to get university qualifications without leaving the workplace. A partnership between work and university negotiated by individuals Customised programmes built on existing skills and knowledge and focused on work-related learning.

See at Learning Through Work Degree Programme Individualised, developed by learners themselves Internet LtW platform provides materials to support the learning process; The WEB provides specialist materials, networks etc; University provides online tutor, quality assurance, final award Work provides projects and opportunities for learning;

Exploration Online tasters, is it for me, whats involved Design Examples, level statements, procedures, ideas, expert advice, content areas, activities Negotiation Registration of personalised programme with a university Implementation Pursue registered programme with university support Demonstration Show achievements against agreed criteria to gain award Structure of Learning Through Work Programme 2,500 learners have successfully registered programmes

Online Learning Through Work - some beneficiaries

Johns Control centre Activities - ongoing - recent Personal log - goals - achievements - credit bank - private - reflections Resource library - assembled by back office in response to stated / inferred interests / company interests Plans - strategic, - immediate, progress priorities Networking - peers, employer, wider specialist community Pooled experience - knowledge bank, specialist help Awards and qualifications - help with levels, assessment The future - user managed portals?

Learner Managed University Awards Imagine a course where the University does NOT provide the content The student ENGAGES with resources, issues, problems, opportunities from the Web, in society, at the work-place, libraries and life.

Roles of participants in Learner Managed university awards Teachers Help learners in the above Support, feedback Advise on sources, progress Universities Clarify level criteria for qualifications Quality assurance Learners Articulate plans, Justify proposals Negotiate approval Demonstrate achievement

Tutoring online for Learner Managed Programmes Based on analyses of student / tutor online exchanges, students raised issues related to:-: Controlseeking, asserting, taking, assuming Relevanceof activity to course, self, aspirations Affirmationam I doing the right thing Reassuranceam I good enough to do this University cultureis this what is expected, level? Clarificationpossibilities, plans, constraints

Tutoring online for Learner Managed Programmes Based on analyses of student / tutor online exchanges, tutors are helpful when their responses are:- Empoweringyes, it really is up to you Enablingthis will help you Reassuringyes, you can do it FacilitatingIll see what I can do for you Extendinghave you thought of taking it further Confirmingyou are on the right track Explainingprocedures, levels, requirements

Content is cheap and widely available. Feedback and guidance are essential. Academic support is expensive. So…… Use the most expensive resource on the most valuable service Financial arguments usually prevail!

E-Learning Quality is in the control it gives to the end user EDUTEC CONFERENCE Tarragona, September 2006 John Stephenson Emeritus Professor, Middlesex University, London, UK Most of these slides are available on the internet at: