Creating a Virtual Learning Environment for Adult Digital Immigrants By: John Coliton April 8, 2004

Virtual Learning Environments A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a designed information space Educational interactions occur in the environment – turning spaces into places The information/social space is explicitly represented (from text to 3D) Students are not only active, but actors – co-constructing the space Pierre Dillenbrough – University of Geneva – EUN Conference 2000

Virtual Learning Environments VLE is not restricted to distance education VLE integrate heterogeneous technologies and multiple pedagogical approaches Most VLE overlap with physical environments Pierre Dillenbrough – University of Geneva – EUN Conference 2000

Adult Learners Adult Learners learn differently Merriam and Caffarella “Learning in Adulthood” Merriam and Caffarella “Learning in Adulthood” Knowles “The Adult Learner” Knowles “The Adult Learner” Androgagy vs. Pedagogy Pedagogy – “the art and science of educating children” (Conner, 2004) Pedagogy – “the art and science of educating children” (Conner, 2004) Andragogy – “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Conner) Andragogy – “the art and science of helping adults learn” (Conner)

Andragogy – 5 Key Assumptions Let learners know why something is important to them Show learners how to direct themselves through information Relate the topic to the learner’s experience Allow learning to occur when learner is ready and motivated to learn Help learners overcome inhibitions, behaviors and beliefs about learning

Digital Immigrants Marc Prensky (CEO of Games2Train) “Today’s students – K through college – represent the first generations to grow up with this new [digital] technology” (the natives) “Those of us who were not born into the digital world but have, at some later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology are Digital Immigrants”

Digital Immigrants “Digital Immigrant Instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language.” (Prensky) Before college graduation students today will Spend over 10,000 hours playing videogames, Spend over 10,000 hours playing videogames, read 200,000 s and instant messages, read 200,000 s and instant messages, Spend 10,000 hours talking on digital cell phones, Spend 10,000 hours talking on digital cell phones, Spend over 20,000 hours watching TV, Spend over 20,000 hours watching TV, At the most spend 5,000 reading books At the most spend 5,000 reading books

Digital Immigrants Digital Natives understand and thrive in technological environments Digital immigrants do not always thrive Key andragogical concept is scaffolding (building knowledge based on what the learner already knows) Key andragogical concept is scaffolding (building knowledge based on what the learner already knows) Many digital immigrants do not have the technological background to build on, and find existing course management sites confusing Many digital immigrants do not have the technological background to build on, and find existing course management sites confusing

Demand for VLE As a mechanisms for learning anytime/anyplace continue to develop demand will increase Montgomery College Fall ’03 had 1,765 students enrolled in distance learning courses (a 110% increase over 1999 enrollment) Fall ’03 had 1,765 students enrolled in distance learning courses (a 110% increase over 1999 enrollment) Fall ’03 average age of all students – 22, average age of distance learning - 28 Fall ’03 average age of all students – 22, average age of distance learning - 28

Existing VLE Currently two dominant course management tools are WebCT and Blackboard. Current focus is on course management not learning – these systems lack tools for thinking and collaboration (Dr. Curt Bonk, Indiana University) Alternatives do exist

Alternative VLE The Sakai Project – open source sharing of course tools – but almost no interface Moodle – another open source project (utilizing PHP and MySQL) focusing on traditional students

Project Overview To create a VLE that is designed specifically for adult learners without extensive technological backgrounds Greater demand for VLE as technology develops Will focus on: High degree of usability High degree of usability Ease of Navigation within a course Ease of Navigation within a course Tools for interaction between actors Tools for interaction between actors

Project Goals Define what interface elements are required for digital immigrants to successfully navigate/understand the VLE What navigational cues work best What navigational cues work best What communication tools are required (chats, debate forums, virtual hallways?) What communication tools are required (chats, debate forums, virtual hallways?) How is content most effectively presented (online or off, graphically or text, hyperlinked or more traditional flow?) How is content most effectively presented (online or off, graphically or text, hyperlinked or more traditional flow?)

Project Goals Define elements that can be directly applied to adult learner needs How can a digital immigrant scaffold existing knowledge? How can a digital immigrant scaffold existing knowledge? Does VLE architecture promote self-directed learning? Does VLE architecture promote self-directed learning? Can learner access content/social areas when they are motivated to learn? Can learner access content/social areas when they are motivated to learn?

Project Goals Create a model for the interface and information architecture of the system Implement portions of this model and test for compliance to previous goals Likely a communication center of some sort Likely a communication center of some sort Can be implemented as part of a blended on- line/on-campus course for testing and evaluation Can be implemented as part of a blended on- line/on-campus course for testing and evaluation

Additional Information – Distance Learning Consultants “Where adult learning, productivity, creativity, and activity meet online” Home page for Dr. Curt Bonk, links to his papers – a list of over 150 games that teach Marc Prensky site for training games