Introduction to our new Learning system

Mohamad Alasmar

What Is e-Learning?

What Is e-Learning?

• Wikipedia definition– Electronic learning (or E-Learning or eLearning) is

a term for all types of technology-enhanced learning (TEL), where technology is used to support the learning process. Often the medium of instruction is through computer technology, particularly involving digital technologies.

What Is e-Learning?

• Other definition– E-Learning as a form of distance education that

uses web browsers for accessing content from remote locations on the Internet. Effective e-Learning differentiates itself from other forms of distance education by being highly interactive on three levels:• learners interacting with learners• learners interacting with content• learners interacting with an instructor

e-Learning 2.0

What Is e-Learning 2.0?

• The idea of learning through digital connections and peer collaboration, enhanced by technologies driving Web 2.0.

• Users/Learners are empowered to search, create, and collaborate, in order to fulfill intrinsic needs to learn new information.

What Is e-Learning 2.0?

Conventional e-learning systems

• Based on instructional packets that were delivered to students using Internet technologies.

• The role of the student consisted in learning from the readings and preparing assignments.

• Assignments were evaluated by the teacher.

The new e-learning• Places increased emphasis

on social learning and use of social software such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and virtual worlds such as Second Life.

e-Learning 2.0

• “The stage of the World Wide Web where the Internet has become a platform for users to create, uploads, and share content with others, versus simply downloading content.”

• So, our system is NOT a download center for learning materials although you can download mostly all available learning materials, lectures and media but this is NOT our goal.

The human element

• Web 2.0 is not about technology, and neither are e-Learning 2.0.

• The human element is what makes the new Web work. Without user-generated content, the new Web would be an empty shell of fancy technologies.

About the system

What Is a Course Management System?

• CMSs are web applications, meaning that they run on a server and are accessed by using a web browser.

• At their most basic, CMSs give educators tools to create a course web site and provide access control so only enrolled students can view it.

• CMSs also offer a wide variety of tools that can make your course more effective. – They provide an easy way to upload and share materials– hold online discussions and chats– give quizzes and surveys– gather and review assignments– record grades

Let us demonstrate some of our new system capabilities and

activitiesMain system activities

The Main 4 pillars of the systemOne static and 3 collaborative and dynamic

Content

Database Forum

Static part

Dynamic and collaborative part

wiki

Content

Database Forum

Static part

Dynamic and collaborative part

wiki

Content of the system

• Lecture in an audio, video or any other format• All available electronic material• To be available to download• Again, We should not that this system is not a

download center for learning materials although you can download mostly all available learning materials, lectures and media but this is not our goal.

Content

Database Forum

Static part

Dynamic and collaborative part

wiki

Wiki

• What is wiki?– A wiki is a collection of collaboratively authored

web pages. – A wiki starts with one front page. – Students can edit the page or add more pages to

the wiki by creating links to new pages that don’t yet exist.

– Old versions of each page can be viewed by checking the page history.

e.g. Wikipedia

• Wikipedia is the largest wiki in the world (http://www.wikipedia.org)

• The entire Wikipedia site is written by volunteers from around the world.

• An article is started by someone with an interest in the subject, and then anyone in the community can add content, edit other people’s work, or add another page elaborating on a sub-topic.

• It has become so large and so frequently used that there is a lively debate about how authoritative a collaborative work without a central editor can be.

What can we do with wiki?

Group lecture notes

Group lecture notes• Usually, lecture notes are a solitary activity.• But one person can easily miss an important

point during a lecture, whether by daydreaming or by trying to understand a prior point.

• Students also have difficulty deciding what information is important and what is elaboration or example.

• Creating a wiki for group lecture notes after a lecture gives us a chance to combine all our notes. Those who missed information can get it from their peers.

Content

Database Forum

Static part

Dynamic and collaborative part

wiki

Database

• The database module provides a tool for collaborative development of a database within the course.

• It’s simply a way for multiple people to add structured data to a shared resource

• We will use it for the users to upload their files like the new lectures, videos, images, x-rays and web links with comments and descriptions.

• We could use the database to create glossaries, catalogs, taxonomies, registrations, paper submissions, maps, or anything where the students in your class can fill in a form to add data.

Database will be the Student files area

Content

Database Forum

Static part

Dynamic and collaborative part

wiki

Forum

• Scientific discussions• Q & A forums for problem solving and oral

question bank• Social forum

Other Important system activities

Glossary

• Collaborative glossaries– The users can create glossaries as they encounter • Unfamiliar terms• For syndromes• For eponyms

Glossary

• Collaborative quiz questions– One of the most creative uses we’ve heard about

is using the glossary to create collaborative quiz questions for common written and oral exam questions and.

– When the students have all submitted their questions, the teacher exports the glossary and then imports it into a question bank. The quiz can then be built from student submitted questions.

Blog

• The word “blog” is a contraction of “web log.”• Blogs are a form of online journal that millions

of people around the world use for self-expression and communicating with family and friends.

• Group work with tags• Blog tags are used to categorize and locate

blog entries. Usually general categories are used, like “teaching” or “trips.”

Messaging

System activities we may use (in some courses)

• Lesson– Simulations and case studies

• Quiz– Test practice

Activities we will not intend to use it by now

• Chats– Group chats– Last-minute exam preparation

• Assignment

Good Luck