eLearning For Teachers: Di Goodman (Epoff)

Learning Technologies 2008 Conference

Wednesday 5th November

Kerry Russo and Mark Walshe’s workshop

No wonder all previous attendees I have spoken to at the 2008 conference rave about previous conferences. The quality of presentations so far is fantastic. Mind you, this is my second workshop!

Kerry’s presentation resonates with me and encourages me to reflect upon the things I see as important in my role as Director of eLearning.

She asks:

“In our rush to adopt new learning technologies have we become too focused on HOW to use the technology instead of WHY?”

Kerry explains that if we are to use technology wisely, and to the benefit of our students, we should “enhance (our classroom) delivery, globalise (our) classroom, create meaningful learning activities and equalise learning opportunities”

This might sound theoretical. However, I am inspired to unpack these points, and propose that, whilst they describe what we should DO to effectively embed ICT into the curriculum, they also underpin 21st century learning outcomes: enhance learning, globalise learning, create meaningful learning, equalise learning.

Kerry has developed a system for Blended Distributed Delivery: a method of embedding technology in programs built around students’ needs, rather than desires of teachers to use or ‘play’ with technology. This is a very useful starting point for educators: a real model to build enriching ICT-centred programs that meet the needs of students through curriculum development.

She describes two key choices that teachers can make to blend technologies for the best possible outcomes for their students:

1. Synchronistic (same-time interactions such as face to face lessons,tutorials, online conferencing, workshops etc) modes of delivery,

and

2. Asynchronistic (flexible-time interactions such as video streams, podcasts, blogs, wikis, email, phone, toolboxes etc) modes of delivery.

The key to all this is that blended learning environments cater for the needs of our students and will increasingly do so!

“Students should not have to power down to come to class”

Young learners want to be engaged with new technologies: it is how they learn best. They need a range of technologies at their fingertips. It is our role as educators, to cater for these needs through our design and delivery of the programs we teach.

Kerry also discusses the benefit of project-based learning tasks - another of my passions. These tasks provide students with the “opportunity to do, rather than just hear about the subject of study. That is the key to active learning strategies”

So much research now confirms how 21st century learners need to learn in ways that traditional classrooms and programs cant match. I think its time we understand that our role is to provide them with the best possible, the most relevant means of learning available.

Kerry gives us a useful strategy to commence this process - an excellent scaffolded model of how to build a blended distributed delivery program.

Mark provided us with a valuable resource list of great websites.

Learning Technologies 2008 Conference

Pauls Rixon’s (Tandberg at TAFESA) workshop

In this workshop, Paul explains how he establishes connections for students living in remote communities using video conferencing.

He uses video as a tool to remove the barriers of remote learning. The visual connection allows students to connect with the classroom (called a meeting room) in ways that are  meaningful for them.

He has developed a highly intgrated system of learning using  range of toos and strategies: video, telephones, desktop computers, lecture rooms etc.

Paul demonstrated the ease with which the user can set up a new meeting room (video conference). He setup 4 feeds that appeared in 4 separate windows on the projected screen, in an impromptu conference to show how easy it can be. We saw:

1. Mobile phone camera capturing live video of us in the lecture theatre

2. Live video of Dave Sobey, in Adelaide

3. Live video of a classroom in Adelaide

4. Live video of himself talking

He also showed and demonstrated how he can also use video production techniques to create rich content for classroom delivery. By setting up video cameras in any number of ways (eg pointing at the teacher, pointing at students, capturing the screen) a range of resources can be used and developed in the classroom.

Whilst this looks great, it seems to me that this technology is quite complex to setup. Most teachers would need a lot of support combining the various elements needed. It is quite IT-support dependent.

Service providers such as Tandberg are providing the technology, software and support needed to create equal opportunities of learning for remote students. The technology they develop and support looks fantastic. I’m not sure how affordable it is? Such opportunities are provider-dependent.

I wonder how he can videoconference/capture live interactive whiteboard feeds?

Learning Technolgies 2008 Conference

Wednesday 5th Nov

Carol Daunt Skyring’s workshop

Carol’s energy and passion for the content of this workshop had us all champing at the bit to get back to our workplaces and try out audio conferencing, web conferencing, video conferencing and Skype.

This workshop explored the differences between these three different forms of online conferencing.

Online conferencing is used to provide learning environments for students who are off-campus. The online conferencing classroom can provide for multiple students from a variety of remote locations. However, because the ‘classroom’ is effectively a computer interface, the teacher needs to adopt new pedagogies to be effective in the  management of this classroom model. Learning in a remote location whilst sitting alone at a computer screen is not an ideal way to learn fro most people. The technology enables access only; it is the teacher who develops the learning environment to bring the various users (students) together in an effective learning community.

Whilst audio conferencing is relatively simple technology that’s been around for a while, it is dependent upon a ‘bridge’ operator (service provider) who enables the whole process.

Web conferencing is more complex, but offers the user exciting interactive options that facilitate student engagement beyond voice. The visual interface provides the teacher with what resembles an interactive whiteboard, where student responses can be noted and group comments documented. This opens the way to collaborative learning opportunities and can create a more dynamic learning environment for students, if used to its advantage. There are loads of good applications out there such as ivRoom, palBee, lluminate, DimDim etc

Video conferencing seems to be the way of the future however. It looks great and offers consumers a range of options. When introduced a decade ago, it was expensive at the top end and raw and clumsy at the bottom. Carol explained that current solutions are both affordable and accessible. Video conferencing does not have to be a high end solution to be successful! OoVoo, Skype, PalBee and iChat are some examples of applications.

Whilst it looks like TV, its important to note that if students use it like TV, they may fall asleep! An effective teacher will create a dynamic learning community: they will engage students and monitor their active participation and contribution to the online classroom. They will also pull apart what they might normally ‘do’ in the classroom and repackage it for the online elearning environment. This is a real skill that may require a bit of practise.

Carol threw loads of information at us, challenging us to consider useful ways of using these technologies in our teaching, and asking us to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each conferencing technology, when setting up online learning environments. All in all, an exciting, informative and thought-provoking session!

A grey drizzly sky greeted me today when I stepped onto the tarmac at Maroochydore airport. I’m up here to attend the three day Learning Technologies 2008 Conference. Since my arrival at Mooloolabah TAFE for this afternoon’s workshops, drizzle has turned to heavy rain! Nonetheless I am excited about today’s workshops and the conference.

I’m anticipating a big learning curve this afternoon as the workshops I’m attending are:

Using Audio, Web and Video Conferencing for Teaching and Learning with Carol Daunt Skyring

and

Blended Distributed Delivery with Kerry Russo and Mark Walshe