the finnish way of elearning common module achievements and experiences

The Finnish Way of eLearning Common Module Achievements and

Experiences

Heraklion, October 2005

Hanna Torp & Eeva Manni

Tampere Polytechnic

We are going to talk about:

• eLearning in the national context

• Applying pedagogical grounds for eLearning in the common module delivery

• Experiences in implementing Computer Mediated Skills in Moodle

National Background

• Finnish Government Programme:

• To consolidate Finland’s position as one of the leading information societies in the world

• Extensive utilisation of ICT in different sectors of society enhances competitiveness and productivity, social and regional equality and citizens’ well-being and quality of life.

• Ministry of Education

• The first information strategy 1995

• The third strategy: Information Society Programme for Education, Training and Research 2004 - 2006

Enhancing virtual teaching and learning

• Nationwide virtual organisations: • Virtual University • Virtual Polytechnic• Virtual School

• Virtual learning and teaching is more and more everyday work at universities, polytechnics and schools

• Eg. polytechnics are required to provide a certain amount of virtual studies

• The aim is that by 2007 at least 75 % of teachers have the knowledge and skills to use ICT in teaching -> a lot of training is organised

Pedagogical Considerations

• Different ways of using the Internet in teaching

• Different ways of conducting a web-based course

• Reasons for using the Internet in teaching

• Teacher’s role on a web-based course

• Pitfalls of online teaching

• Creating and maintaining the online community

How to take advantage of the web?

• As a part of classroom teaching

• Blended learning

• 100% web courses

How can it be done?

• Book or other printed material, activity takes place on the net.

• Linking to existing resources on the net.

• Independent searching for information on a given topic or theme.

• Self-made learning material on the net.

Why bother?

• Possibility to participate regardless of the physical location.

• Freedom concerning time and place.

• Great opportunities for carrying out personalized curricula.

• ICT enables new, innovative teaching methods

• Offers a way of social networking for distance learners.

• At its best, a web course is able to combine the advantages of independent learning and classroom teaching.

What does the teacher do?

• Distributes material

• Gives directions and advice

• Feedback

• Evaluation

• Encourages, motivates, informs, coordinates

• Provides the possibility to learn – the student her/himself is responsible for making use of it!

The worst-case scenario

• Alone in an unfamiliar online environment

• Hard to navigate

• Hard to find information

• The environment is hard to use

• Scheduling creates problems

• No contact with other students

• No idea of what is required

• No feedback

• No support

• No answers to questions

-> No motivation

-> No learning results!

CMS students’ comments

• “One of the biggest obstacles for learners is technology. People feel they are not capable of learning the technology needed to participate in an eLearning course, when in reality most good eLearning courses actually require very little computer skills. If the instructions are clear, almost anybody with any experience with computers is able participate on an eLearning course”.

• “…making a decent course to web takes a lot of work. Maybe that is one reason teachers are not so eager to make web based courses.”

CMS students’ comments

• “Even when the reality of virtual learning is not overwhelmingly  difficult, the thought of starting a course is stressful. Also the feeling of belonging to a group could be weak.”

• “The environment in this course is very clear and that's how it should be. There are only those parts needed, and nothing irrelevant. That's how students learn to use eLearning environment and they don't get scared when they start to use it. It should be easy and comfortable to use.”

Online mentoring and guidance

“A web course without a teacher is like an empty classroom with a pile of handouts left on the desk for the students”.

• Interaction and communicativeness must be achieved also in the online environment.

• Student-centered approach

• Creating the learning process

• Recognizing the difference between teaching and publishing material on the net

Creating the online community

• Group work

• Discussions

• News & Frequent updating

• Clear, detailed instructions

• Personal profile

• Feedback (from teacher and other students)

• Communicative and cooperative teaching methods