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e-learning for the i-generation
The only e-learning tool I used at Uni, was the now rather ol’school Blackboard - also known as a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It was supposed to be a useful online resource to post work and to facilitate discussions with our teacher and fellow students. This didn’t really happen. I mean we posted our work, but that was about it. The lively discussions and valuable feedback we gained in the classroom was never recreated.
It turned us off, an we actually started our own blog (it’s in Swedish) as we found it to be a much more flexible and personal tool for posting work and receiving feedback from fellow students, teachers and anyone else who was interested in our work. We actually found ourselves discussing related topics with peers worldwide (check out the map on our blog).
This wasn’t too long ago, and more and more universities are now utilising (and/or asking us for) tools like blogs, podcasts and wikis on their websites (it is being called e-learning 2.0…) and although not designed particularly for use in education, these ‘new’ tools can be used to make e-learning more personal, collective and adaptable.
Teachers are starting to realise the potential of blogs, media sharing services and collaborative tools in enhancing the e-learning experience and they are starting to push for these new technologies just as they are pushing for new pens and other equipment that will aid the learning process. This is not only exemplified in my experience, but also in a recent study where one humanities lecturer is reported to having said:
“I found out all my students were looking at the material in the VLE but going straight to Facebook to use the discussions tool and discuss the material and the lectures. I thought I might as well join them and ask them questions in their preferred space”. Read the full report here.This teacher (as most other teachers) has experienced the first wave of the i-generation i.e. the generation with no recourse to a memory of (or nostalgia for) a pre-internet history). To them, blogs, podcasts, online video and collaborative tools are a part of the ‘natural order of things’ and using anything else (for example the blackboard) will simply put them off.
The universities marketing people are also feeling pressured by the i-generation and they are wondering if these technologies can be used to attract more students. Moreover they are wondering if the i-generation is examining their online offer as much as their offline offer? Is the online community equally important as the offline community? Can simple publishing tools like blogs be used as online word-of-mouth tools? What happens if they criticise us on their blogs? These are some of the challenges today’s universities are facing, and as always there is no out of the box answer.
However, as always, benchmarking is a good start and I’ve highlighted a couple of links to get you started.
Warwick University is probably the most innovative university in the UK. Here’s why: warwickblogs, Warwick icast, Warwick Podcasts , Warwick on MySpace
Brunel University is using podcasts in an innovative way. their podcasts are guiding students through the application process which makes it more pleasant and user friendly. Stanford’s collaboration with iTunes is also an interesting example. Check it out here.
Jean-Claude Bradley is using Blogger to teach chemistry at Drexel University in Philadelphia. check out his blog here.
There are also a lot of new platforms for collaboration popping up, such as open source Elgg (used by University of Brighton ), nuuvo, stu.dicio.us and Digication. These are just a few so please add more e-learning examples or tools by commenting on this post.
I recommend Scholar360. It is the first Learner Mangement System to incorporate true Social Networking features such as blogs, chats, ePortfolios, Wiki, RSS feeds, synchronized schedules and more. Students can easily upload files to teachers, share files and collaborate with students, and even store files for personal use (pictures, etc.)
It’s also easy to use and affordable for a school’s budget in comparison with it’s competitors.
Thanks Cathy. I will definitely check them out. There’s also an interesting article in wired about e-learning and new technologies. check it out here: http://www.wired.com/culture/education/news/2007/04/myspaceforschool