Week 3 Looking at the website : http://elg.massey.ac.nz/ These e-learning guidelines are very interesting, it explores the e-learning guides from different perspective like student, teachers, support staff and managers। The website seems to be up-to-date with practical information and direction on e-learning।I really liked the Cube and the animation of it leading to the different guidelines.
The two elearning guidelines relevant to my area of practice are:
1.) TD2:Do students get clearly defined learning objectives that assist them in focussing on their learning activities?
2.) TD5: Have a representative sample of students tested the e-learning materials, and any necessary modifications been made?
For the Computer courses that I am teaching, a lot of time we have students who get confused and are not sure of what they are suppose to be doing next or what the contents are leading into. I think our online materials cover the concepts and ideas of the course to ensure that students are clear on the course's focus, but there must be some ways we can improve it, so that they are able to see the bigger picture of what they a leading towards.
We had just recently – converted our book manuals into online learning for a few units and this is just very new, and they have been some mistakes or problems regarding the online resource. We are trying to get as many feedbacks from students who are currently doing it, so that we can make the necessary changes on it as we go along. Sometimes we tend to think that that would be the obvious option for the students to follow through the steps, and guess what, it tends out to be not the only direction that it will lead to. So it is very important to be precise and also it is good to do trials and do the necessary modifications if need be.
I generally think that “TD1: Is the use of e-learning appropriate to the intended learning outcomes?” is a very important Guide for whatever course you design. “The general principles for effective teaching are generally the same regardless of the technology used.”
Doesn’t matter what course and how we design the course – we should see if it meets the desired outcome।
The two elearning guidelines relevant to my area of practice are:
1.) TD2:Do students get clearly defined learning objectives that assist them in focussing on their learning activities?
2.) TD5: Have a representative sample of students tested the e-learning materials, and any necessary modifications been made?
For the Computer courses that I am teaching, a lot of time we have students who get confused and are not sure of what they are suppose to be doing next or what the contents are leading into. I think our online materials cover the concepts and ideas of the course to ensure that students are clear on the course's focus, but there must be some ways we can improve it, so that they are able to see the bigger picture of what they a leading towards.
We had just recently – converted our book manuals into online learning for a few units and this is just very new, and they have been some mistakes or problems regarding the online resource. We are trying to get as many feedbacks from students who are currently doing it, so that we can make the necessary changes on it as we go along. Sometimes we tend to think that that would be the obvious option for the students to follow through the steps, and guess what, it tends out to be not the only direction that it will lead to. So it is very important to be precise and also it is good to do trials and do the necessary modifications if need be.
I generally think that “TD1: Is the use of e-learning appropriate to the intended learning outcomes?” is a very important Guide for whatever course you design. “The general principles for effective teaching are generally the same regardless of the technology used.”
Doesn’t matter what course and how we design the course – we should see if it meets the desired outcome।
Identify two issues related to quality in eLearning - these will provide part of the rationale for your evaluation project।
Issue 1: The motivation and support in elearning is limited compared to a normal ordinary class, where all the students are together with the lecturer. In a normal class where the lecturers are able to feel and physically see if the students are looking all confused or has no clue of what was just said and taught.
Issue 2: Usage of new or complicated E-Learning tools। Including software’s and other programs that will be required in order to view the course materials. If your learners spent half the semester figuring out how to use the e-learning tool or how to get to course contents, than that would not be such a good design. Sometimes we assumes that its so easy to download these package and set it up and it should be fine, but for some that would be a very difficult task.
For issue 1, the guide TD2 would be appropriate, where we need to make sure the students are focused on the learning outcomes, how can we motivate and support them to reach the outcomes of the course। TD5 – is a good link to the second issue, regarding the complicated Elearning tools. Whenever a new tool is introduced, it should be checked or trial done to test it in all conditions to see if any problem arises and if so, modifications to be done.
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**** The future is leading towards Podcasting Lectures****
I am glad you liked the ELG cube for the guidelines. Like some of the others you have focused on student learning around motivation and technology issues to be important with your choice of guidelines. The issues you mention regarding motivation and support are a concern for lecturers new to the online teaching environment, however, with good design they can easily be addressed. The second issue around technology is certainly something which needs careful consideration when introducing tools which are new. support for their use needs to be available form student service areas and not just the lecturer who needs to focus on the learning side of things. We have community learning centre and learning centre support staff up-skilling in hew technologies so they are now able to support students more effectively. How does your organisation support students with new learning technologies?
ReplyDeleteWe also have student support centre and language support centre available, but to what extend they help out, is something for me to find out.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Krishan