A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Approaches To E-Learning: The Users’ Perspective Brian Kelly UKOLN University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY URL UKOLN is supported by: Contents Session Aims Hands-on Session Discussion Contents Session Aims Hands-on Session Discussion

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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 2Instant Messaging Exercise 5Application Areas (Blogs & Wikis) Exercise 10 Formats (Flash & SMIL) Exercise 11Learning Environments Bookmark as this contains links to the resources in the handout

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Updates In exercise 8.4 you can use: Seedwiki at Swiki at Use username / account ID ICTP-2004 E

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Discussion Have you come across anything new? Are there any technologies which seem very useful? Are there any technologies which disappoint you?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Using An Online Tutorial The 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 1 What did you like about it and what could be improved?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Using Instant Messaging (IM) You’ve used the MSN Messenger Instant Messaging (IM) software: IM can provide immediacy not available with IM can provide addition features, such as sharing applications  IM can be very interruptive  IM software is not interoperable (MSN and AOL IDs can’t easily communicate) Exercise 2 & 3 What did you like about IM and what could be improved?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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) Exercise 4 What did you like about Jabber and what could be improved?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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? Exercise 5 What did you like about phpBB and what could be improved?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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 Exercise 6 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 centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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 Exercise 8 What role can Wikis have in e-learning? An internal link

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Orkut Social Network Orkut: Example of a social network Social networks: Further develop community working Can be importance in distance learning and remote support Exercise 9 What role can social networks have in e-learning?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Flash Flash: Popular file format for creating interactive Web resources Note: Flash is a proprietary format Does not easily integrate with W3C architecture Problems with accessibility Exercise 10 What are the advantages and disadvantages of Flash?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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? Exercise 10 What are the advantages and disadvantages of SMIL?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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 Exercise 12 What other issues did you consider?

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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? Exercise 13

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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." A VLE can be one component of an MLE Exercise 14

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk 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 Exercise 14

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk MSc Healthcare Informatics (2) Students will need information on: Course Progress Fellow students Support … Exercise 14

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk MSc Healthcare Informatics (3) Course administrators will need to monitor: Course modules Students' progress Posting to bulletin boards Support queries … Exercise 14

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk MSc Healthcare Informatics (3) Course administrators will need to monitor: Students' progress Posting to bulletin boards Support queries … Exercise 14

A centre of expertise in digital information managementwww.ukoln.ac.uk Questions