1. Learning Platforms& Going Mobile

2. What are the options? Virtual Learning Environments ePortfolios
Web 2.0 technologies
Mobile technologies

3. Virtual Learning Environment
administration tools
VLE
resources
communication tools
assessment tools
The term Virtual Learning Environment or VLE is often applied to any kind of learning platform or expanded intranet which allows online access to course materials and has communication and eAssessment tools embedded in it. Most institutions have a VLE and these are being used with varying degrees of uptake. A VLE generally refers to a specific piece of commercially produced or Open Source software which allows all the components of a course to be in one easily accessible place. In Scotland the most popular commercial VLE is Blackboard and the most popular Open Source VLE is Moodle.
Blended Learning
Perhaps the most common use of VLEs is through blended learning where the VLE can be used to provide additional content and support to the student, reinforcing face-to-face classes. Learners can access the VLE from any location where there is internet access. This provides students with significantly greater flexibility as it removes time and place barriers. Having materials loaded on to the VLE means that students with e.g. care responsibilities, part time work or accessibility issues can have the opportunity of revising work they may have missed or need to revisit. Having access to course notes and diagrams on to the VLE in advance of the class allows learners to prepare fro face to face sessions.
Distance Learning
VLE's are also used to deliver wholly distance learning courses, allowing wider access to students and allowing for a wider student base. Geography no longer dictates the locations where students can learn. Students can choose to study "virtually" anywhere in the world, accessing learning materials remotely and participating in on line discussions and forums with fellow students.
Materials that are put on to the VLE can be used as part of the course delivery or used for revision purposed.
Range of resources can uploaded including presentations, documents, zipped files, diagrams or information for group collaboration and sharing of information. File types: ppt, word docs, web pages, images, videos or flash movies etc
VLE can be used as a central point for course outlines and documentation, institutional policy, calendars and events.
Tracking available – monitor when student has been on the system and how they have progressed with course
Communication tools include:
Announcements – e.g change of room /class time or assessment deadlines
– one-to-one with tutor, with entire course group, with project groups
Discussion forums & Chat – takes place in real-time (synchronous comms).
For formative & summative assessment – results can be stored as evidence & tutor able to see what level of understanding each student has achieved. Students can be given detailed feedback and results can be marked instantly if built-in software tools used.
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4. Assessment & Accreditation
ePortfolio structure
ePortfolio
Assessment & Accreditation
ePortfolio for...
Showcase for
Skills &
Knowledge
Repository
ePortfolio for...
Private use
“An e-Portfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital items …..…..ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc, which “presents” a selected audience with evidence of a person’s learning and /or ability”
Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007) Effective Practice with e-Portfolios, JISC (2008)
What’s missing from this definition is the capacity within most e-Portfolio systems for self assessment leading to the setting of personal goals and targets (Personal Development Planning). An e-Portfolio therefore is not simply the digitisation of paper-based portfolios (with perhaps the inclusion of some new media), used to document evidence of achievement. Rather the functionality of e-portfolios enable learners to assemble, demonstrate and reflect on the skills, knowledge and achievement they have built up during their learning experience and document their progress towards personal goals.
Literature suggests that e-Portfolios can be characterised by purpose. Achievement of standards – meeting minimum standards (accountability purposes)
Documentation of deep learning – showing growth and development over time (learning purposes)
Resumes to show competency - showing best work (marketing purposes)
e-Portfolios promise support for both high stakes assessment and deep learning but the purpose of adopting an ePortfolio needs to be clear and this will determine the type of system deployed.
Are they to be used for accountability purposes / providing evidence of achievement ?
Are they to be used to encourage deep learning / demonstrating personal growth ?
Are they to be used for self evaluation / personal development planning ?
Are they to provide a window for prospective employers / further study ?
ePortfolio for...
PDP
processes
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5. Web 2.0 – online technologies
Using the Cloud
Lines blur between Web2. applications – all are online services, all are searchable – the key is the “social” element (allowing & encouraging comments – a mechanism for peer review?) & RSS feeds to keep people up to date on request = personalisation
Characteristics
It assumes people are “always on-line” either on PC mobile phone, PDA,
Applications used are web based – depending only on browser base applications
Applications are easy to use – although web based still WYSIWIG – Things can be published in real time and from different devices without the need to understand the methods of uploading to servers.
Blogs – a templated website that can be edited online - designed for personal accounts & opinion / online journal or diary / reflective in nature / presented in chronological order / comment facility / enables a range of media to be incorporated (an attraction for learners) / possibilities for community blogs. Micro Blogs are a relatively new phenomenon they provide a mechanism for you to send updates of what your doing up to 140 characters to a website that others can follow & see. (online equivalent of popping bubble wrap – Charlie Brooker, guardian column Feb 09)
Wikis – a website that can be edited online by multiple people using familiar WISYWIG interface. Most useful for collaborative activities such as planning an event or for capturing collaborative outputs of a group. Again enables a range of media to be easily incorporated. Individuals activities re: editing a WIKI are recorded and all previous versions can be viewed allowing individual contributions to be monitored.
Social Bookmarking – an online service where you can store & organise your favourite websites for access from any internet enabled device including mobile devices. Sites are organised in a non linear way using your own key words so collections are searchable. It is possible to have an account for a group so that there can be a collaborative approach to selecting and collecting relevant websites for a say specific course / subject or unit.
Social Networking – a service which allows you to create your own profile and make it available to friends & find friends or common acquaintances though the networking tool – they usually include a number of features including – blog, photo & video uploading, networking, messaging & chat. Could be used for team building, communication, languages but difficult to control access to provide a meaningful platform for learning (my opinion) – many are over 18s only.
Multimedia Sharing – sites that allow you to upload digital images & videos. Have a comment & rating facility and recommendations can be useful – now a good source of images (many attributed with a creative commons licence) – should be aware of some copyright issues regarding some videos. Also potential inappropriate content means that it’s sometimes blocked by firewalls. Risk v Reward.
Podcasting – these are audio or video recordings put online that are made available using syndication software. They are episodic in nature, published with a degree of regularity. Users “subscribes” to a podcasting service and each time a new episode is published it is automatically downloaded to their PC or mobile device
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6. Range of mobile devices
Whether you describe handheld technology as a gadget, tool or device there is certainly a choice to pick from if you're considering developing m-learning in your organisation.
Ultra mobile PCs like Asus eeePC or plethora of net books (designed for web based applications, cloud computing, simpler operating systems ) largely for internet & . Max screen size 7 inches
Handheld games consol like Sony portable PSP, Nintendo DS
Portable media players range of iPods, iPod touch, creative zen, Archos media tablets
Mobile storage – USB sticks, SD cards,
Mobile Phones – that seem they can do everything ? – poll about functionality of mobile phones
In essence, most mobile devices have similar functionalities. They may differ in megapixel capacity of the camera or webcam, or have a touchscreen text input rather than keyboard entry. They may all store and play sound or video files, but may differ in the way the files are formatted or transferred to the device.
But all, to a greater or lesser degree, can help manage and support teaching and learning - whether you have a device from the Apple family such as an ITouch or IPod, a Smartphone or PDA/phone or an ultra-mobile pc or mini-laptop. Even a non-Smart phone with basic functions can be a useful tool for learners.
The critical elements that enable them to have potential for useful learning is their size and especially the new screen sizes, resolution, super bright and anti-glare technologies. Anytime, anywhere connectivity which enables access to learning resources & communication with tutors and other learners. The potential to exploit different media – use images, video and also use web 2.0 tools & social software e.g. Blogs, microblogs, mobilicious, media sharing sites etc and upload from mobile phone without having to go through a computer to do it
The organisational tools such as alarms, calendar, text messaging – SMS messaging both to college and from the college is proving popular providing announcements of timetable or room changes. Electronic reminders invaluable for many learners including learners with additional support needs.
Note taking facilities - whether text-based or with the use of voice recording - can really support learners inside and outside of the classroom. As a personal device is likely to be readily available in a learner's pocket private note taking is available at any time during a class. Some devices have touch screens that allow users to write on the screen using a stylus (or a thin finger). Handwriting recognition functionality allows you to convert handwritten notes into typed text format for improved legibility, many devices incorporate a keyboard - whether on-screen or as an integral part of the device. The ability to capture real time reflection proving to be valuable e.g. Short & frequent “tweets” can be easily shared
There are many devices with in-built cameras to enable a user to take still or moving images and many easy to use applications that allow you to manipulate images in many different ways. There are also many photo sharing sites like Flickr with images able to be uploaded by or from mobile phones. Digital storytelling is recognised as a legitimate and pedagogically sound technique that can be applied to almost any subject area. A camera can capture a moment in still or video image, which is a great way to collect assessment evidence for a portfolio.
Podcasts have become increasingly popular not just for entertainment but for educational purposes too, so that tutors can easily record and publish audio content to learners on a regular basis.You may have experienced a BBC podcast, all of which are free. Or you might be learning a language and have visited the Free Language website or the Learning & Teaching Scotland website to download their language podcasts. Sound files can support learners who need to hear the words as they learn to read text.
Many mobile devices, including handheld games consoles, can connect to the Internet - some by WiFi or with the ability to connect to a wireless LAN (local area network). Being connected by Bluetooth has a lot of potential and means that we can work or play collaboratively sharing ideas, thoughts, or files - whether that means documents for business or study or simply photos to share with friends and family. You can ask questions to a speaker and it’s also possible to vote via blue tooth . QR codes which are like a square bar code can contain information and be photographed by mobile phones equipped with a QR reader and the information transferred. File sharing using Bluetooth can be fun but equally useful to collect other learners' notes or tutors' handouts at the end of sessions or lectures.
Images from Flickr licensed under creative commons