e-learning and virtual classrooms: issues and considerations

E-LEARNING AND VIRTUAL CLASSROOMSIssues and Considerations

DEFINING E-LEARNING

Online learning, used before e-learning, was defined by Elliott Masie as

“the use of network technology to design, deliver, select, administer, and extend learning” (Cross, 2004, p. 104).

E-learning was first used in late 1997.

There is no single or static definition for e-learning.

E-LEARNING DEFINITION ACTIVITY

In your partner groups:

1. Read the article “Defining eLearning.”

2. Summarize the different definitions.

3. Pick the definition you think is best.

4. How does your selected definition compare and contrast with Masie’s definition of online learning?

Masie’s Definition of Online Learning:

“the use of network technology to design, deliver, select, administer, and extend

learning”

E-LEARNING TERMINOLOGY

What terms are synonymous (or nearly so) with e-

learning?

How do these terms have different meanings?

How do these terms overlap? When do you prefer to use one term over

another?

RETHINKING THE “E” IN E-LEARNING

Elliott Masie (2010) suggests shifting the use of “e” as electronic to:

Everywhere Everyone Evolving Effective

Efficient Every time Embedded Engaging

What do you think?

DEFINING E-LEARNING

How do YOU define e-learning?How will WE define e-learning?

What are defining characteristics of e-learning?

E-LEARNING AND INTERACTION

Henderson (2003) outlines three basic styles of e-learning interaction

Synchronous learning Self-directed learning Asynchronous (collaborative) learningWhat are some potential advantages and

disadvantages of each style?Which styles of interaction would work for us? Which would not?

E-LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION

Asynchronous

Synchronous

• Email• Listservs• Discussion

Boards• Blogs• Wikis• Webcasts

(Recorded)

• Instant Messaging (1-to-1)• Text Chat Rooms (Many-to-

Many)• Teleconferences• Video Chat• Screen Sharing• Webinars (Live)Other?

E-LEARNING AND COLLABORATION

How do various communication methods support collaboration?

What else do we need for successful collaboration to occur?

DEFINING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

What is instructional design (ID)?

“A system of procedures for developing education and training curricula in a

consistent and reliable fashion” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012, p.

8)

What ID models do you use?

Do you have a systematic process that you use when planning instruction? What is it?

Dick and Carey Systems Approach

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN MODELS

ADDIE: Analyze Design Develop Implement Evaluate

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN MODELS

Evaluate

Analyze

Design

Develop

Implement

Reiser & Dempsey (2012) suggest that any instructional design should:

Be student centered Be goal oriented Focus on meaningful performance Assume outcomes are measurable

in a reliable and valid way Be empirical, iterative, and self-correcting Be a team effort

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN ESSENTIALS

TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNINGHow will we leverage technology to enhance learning?

What are our learning goals?

Who are our learners?

What technology will be available?

INSTRUCTIONAL MODES & MEDIA

Instructional Delivery Modes = Communication Elements

Instructional Media = Materials/Means that Deliver Instruction

Examples: Lectures Internet Books Video

Charts/Graphs Video Conferencing Drawings/Illustrations Podcasts/Vodcasts

Animations Tutorials Games Presentations

Interviews Webinars Screen Capture Simulations

Text Graphics Audio

Other?

MEDIA & COGNITIVE LOAD THEORY

“Rich media will benefit learners only to the extent that its capabilities are

harnessed in ways that support human learning processes” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012, p. 310).

Dual-Channels Principle Limited Capacity Principle Active Learning Principle

Remember to keep the learner at the center, not the media!

MANAGING VIRTUAL COURSES

Organization & Structure

Communication Expectations & Policies Resources & Technology

TEACHING VIRTUAL COURSES

Managing virtual courses involves structuring courses to maximize learning.

Teaching virtual courses involves engaging students to maximize learning.

How can we best engage students?

REFERENCES Callahan, S. (2008 February 11). Collaboration framework [Blog post]. Retrieved from

http://www.anecdote.com.au/collaboration_diag_b2.jpg Clark, D. R. (2010). Defining eLearning. Retrieved from

http://nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leader.html Cross, J. (2004). An informal history of eLearning. On the Horizon, 12(3), 103-110. E-learning (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 29 2013 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning Henderson, A. J. (2003). The E-learning Question and Answer Book : A Survival Guide for

Trainers and Business Managers. New York: AMACOM. Kelly, R. (Ed.). (n.d.). 11 strategies for managing your online courses. Retrieved from

http://www.facultyfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/images/report-11-strategies-for-managing-online-courses1.pdf

Masie, E. (2012 August 15). The fading “e” in e-learning [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://trends.masie.com/archives/2012/8/15/737-the-fading-e-in-e-learning-good-morning-america-and-midt.html

Reiser, R., & Dempsey, J. (2012). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.