Trends in Technology Enhanced Learning

Peter Chalk

Associate Dean

Faculty of Computing

London Metropolitan University

London Met is…

• Distributed

• International

• Widening participation

• Developing Blended Learning:– Technology Enhanced Learning– Supporting face-to-face learning– Not (yet) distance learning

RLO-CETL – London Met in partnership with Universities of

Cambridge and Nottingham

• Interactive, graphic – fun!

• http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk:8080/open_virtual_file_path/i1967n2922t/muscle_mechanics_load_arm.html

• http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/joomla/index.php

Download to students’ mobiles

• http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=98

• Diversion: introducing Carl Smith and Debbie Holley from London Met’s RLO-CETL… [virtually]

For learning programming

• http://learning.north.londonmet.ac.uk/java1/lm_jav1_basrep/lm_jav1_whileloops_x/lm_jav1_whileloops_1.htm

• Blended learning with RLOs improved pass rates & student satisfaction

• Increased opportunities to learn, obtain feedback and be assessed…

Keep it simple!

Consider cross-cultural implications:

Diversion: Introducing Mei Qi, working on her PhD at London Met [virtually]

Note taking RLO

• Produced by study skills ‘experts’

• Based on research & student experience (in Learning Development Unit)

• http://learning.londonmet.ac.uk/LMBS/study/files/noteTaker.htm

Second Life

• Towards virtual reality…

• Examples: role play, research supervision at a distance, on-line learning (eg OU owns a building)

• http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qOFU9oUF2HA&NR=1

Computer Games

• Games ideal for e-learning:• Performing Hands – educational software

for deaf children• My Future (video 2) – support for special

needs• http://www.gamelablondon.com/• http://www.gamelablondon.co.uk/

work.html

BSc Computer Games @ London Met

• Various courses now based on technologies developed for e-learning, such as BSc Computer Games

• http://www.thinkmakeplay.co.uk/• http://www.thinkmakeplay.co.uk/portfolio.h

tm• …and Multimedia Solutions (e-Learning)

Distributed e-Portfolios – Reflection & Showreels…

• PDP integrated into most university courses

• Consisting of:– Reflective writing & action planning– Using specific tools, or…– Showcase of evidence & CV:

• http://www.thinkmakeplay.co.uk/portfolio_showreel.htm

• Using web 2 services…

Examples of reflective writing in Google Blogger

E-Portfolio research findings at London Met

Web 2 blogs are hard to manage

Learn about students’ identity & transformation

Students can relate to us with their achievements ‘as equals’?

Distributed e-portfolios are very powerful expressions of identity…

…and allow personalised learning environments

Far more entries than in Blackboard journal (similar number of students)

Therefore, Google generation more confident, web 2 pioneers, ‘digital natives’, happy to dwell (& therefore build) in web 2 cloud? (Heidegger, M. (1971) Poetry, Language, Thought)

Conclusions

• Modern students:– Digital natives– Technology rich

• Modern university– (Blended) Technology Enhanced Learning

essential, but..– Must maintain interest, motivate, integrate,

enthuse, make it fun!