This blog will document the development and design of a model for an e-learning community.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Possible Resource for Sat 'Pitch'
I am open to feedback/suggestions etc as usual. We are nearly there, I think we have gr8 stuff to share on Sat with the class.
Click to see Glog
By the way, do we want to think about our e-communities name? I think it has possibly evolved from Me-Learn to Me-Learning. I have no problem but it led me to think about a 3rd option i.e. We-Learn which reflects the collaborative nature of online learning. Just a thought... we could use this as a question we pose on Sat to gain input from the class so that we can generate a bit of discussion. Let me know your thoughts via the comments section below. I promise, no more nagging from me tonight ;-)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
LiveBinder as at 22 May 2:21am
This is a link to what is possibly our final LiveBinder We-Learning e-community
The access key is - task 2.1
Can everyone please check all aspects of it so we can discuss :-)
We are a gr8 team! Thanks everyone.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Almost there - bringing our project togther
thanks for today. I think our combined efforts have produced a great presentation! I'm just confirming here what we agreed to get done by our next catch up on Sunday 22 May, 12pm @ Broadway. If possible, can research be sent to Heather and Christine by Friday?
1. Finalise our sections on LiveBinder
2. Ensure referencing of ALL sources is done according to academic standards.
3. Integrate our research into the elements of our presnetion e.g. key features, storyboard etc.
4. Determine an appropriate way to present the information to Theresa.
[Christine]
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Presentation Running Order
I'm proposing a running order below as a guide for our presentation on Saturday. It's just designed to help us get through everything we need to and give each of us 'air time'. It's probably best that we present on what we worked on as this will obviously be easier to prepare for. However, it would also be good if we can add details to each other's presentation when relevant.
We will use livebinder to 'drive' our presentation rather than a PowerPoint presentation. We have upto 20 minutes to deliver this so around 4 minutes each (allowing time for questions).
- Introduction - Christine. This will include who our target audience is; the key unique features of our site [I wont bother going into the features of the actual site e.g. canteen etc] and the justification for our community.
- Storyboard -Heather. Heather will go through the key features of our site such as the canteen, show and tell, blogs , chats, forums etc.
- Educational Rationale - Christopher. Chris, can you go through the research which supports our design?
- Educational Rionale - Nicoleta. It may also be useful to highlight research which critiques current e-learning design features - but which our site aims to overcome.
- Q & A - we will all help answer these.
What do you think guys?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Storyboard with explanation
Could we add another little feature that we can have like a students of the month award where we showcase a couple of people's work??
Maybe we should also add a chat option here as an attempt to build community among members? This could also be useful for teachers who from the same school too. We can advise in the sign-up to our community, that the ICT integrator's presence is also required occasionally. What do you think??
In Classroom 2.0 there was also an option to 'add colleague' which puts the participants on a short list and you get feeds on their updates etc. Would that also be useful here in fostering the community element?
LOVE IT!
Heather you are amazing! love your work!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Updates
Please Note: If you are going to upload a PowerPoint, or Word document to the Live Binder, it is better to convert to pdf as it will then open beautifully in our Live Binder. If you are not able to convert to pdf, I am happy to conver it for you if you send it to me. Heather
From Heather's to do list:
A storyboard or diagram that represents the e-Learning community design - I have uploaded a draft storyboard idea into our Live Binder. If you guys have a chance, can you please give me feedback. At this stage, I do not have the descriptive text as I will do that once eveyone is ok with what it looks like. The buttons at the top are hyperlinked and are working, as is the module button for Blogs.
I want to see if I can add comments to the pdf, if not I will think of a different way to present the storyboard - 1/5/11 H
From Christine:
Thanks Heather for all your hard work I LOVE what you've done!!! You are an absolute super efficient legend!!! THANK YOU that must have taken you ages to do. I will also try and find a fun quote for collaborative learning. Will be in touch.
FYI: Theresa has asked us to complete a table in her wiki to log group members and the focus for our site. Just letting you know that I've done that for us.
From Heather - thanks Christine, I saw that :) we do make a gr8 team. I probably should not have worked on it and rather studied for my exam today, I know I did badly which is sad as I have been working so hard all semester ... I totally went blank, it was as if there was not an idea in my head :( :(
Anyway, back to this, I think I will email Theresa as I have noticed twice now a comment about a written submission from groups, we have worked hard on our proposal 'container' and do not want to find out that doesn't 'count' and that she is expecting something quite different. Not sure if there are other issues with the class, but there is now a new doc up that the group needs to work on and submit. In some ways, we have past that stage, what do you think?
From Christine - lol I did see that yesterday and I must admit I went a little crazy with rage. We are TOTALLY past that point. I think this is a bit overkill. Can you cc me on your email. Very interested in what she has to say on whether we can by-pass this considering where we are at.
I hope you're exam wasn't as disasterous as you think it went - I don't think I could study for an exam now!! Fingers crossed you did enough to get through!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Key Features of our E-Learning Community
We-Learning (updated version)
Our own We-Learning Me-Learning community is based on the model proposed by Gilly Salmon and David Shepherd (2004). We will be using this model to show the key design features of our own learning environment.
In attempting to address all aspects of this model, we have used Salmon and Shepherd’s layout and images. In addition to using their layout, we have included the key elements of our website to demonstrate how we attempt to meet aspects of a good learning environment.
Stage 1 - Access & Motivation
“Motivation is an essential element to get participants through the early stages of use of the hardware and software systems and towards engagement and mobilisation of learning.” (Salmon and Shepherd, 2004)
· Our site is designed for schools as a way of up-skilling and training staff.
· Login and general administration to access the site will be managed by the ICT facilitator at each school (and supported by a how-to manual for each user which is emailed/sent at enrolment).
· One of the key features of motivation is purpose. Each user must know why they are a member of this community. We believe that by providing specific modules for skill development will assist users know their purpose within this community. Users will be able to determine the number of modules they participate in based on their own individual needs.
· Membership while organised at a school level will preferably be voluntary.
·
“Whether the community will last a few weeks or a few years, it’s a very special learning and teaching opportunity.” (Salmon and Shepherd, 2004)
· Each school will have their own area on our site. The purpose of this is to establish a familiarity so that community can be more easily built/developed. The aim of this site is to promote a genuine online learning community that will later drive life-long learning.
· While the general engagement in modules is aimed at a school level, members will have opportunities and are encouraged to engage with other colleagues not at their workplace through our site forums, chats and webinars. Opportunities through the teacher’s lounge and show and tell area allow for teachers to collaborate and network outside of their own school.
· Once a year there is a Me 2 Conference which will be delivered face-to-face as well as via webinar for people unable to attend.
· Blogs will be used as a learning journal but also as a tool to engage other users in assisting the learning process. Participants will be encouraged to read and comment on each other’s work; and where appropriate help to collaboratively solve problems.
· Class Rules are also an important part of our learning community. Here is where we explicitly state the expectations for each participant – i.e. to engage in some discussion to develop a real sense of community and to remove feelings of isolation. This area will contain the code of conduct that is expected as a member of a collaborative learning community.
Stage 3 - Information Exchange
“The big advantage of asynchronicity is that everyone can explore information at their own pace and react to it before hearing the views and interpretations of others.” (Salmon and Shepherd, 2004).
· Modules are accessed and completed at user’s own pace. This allows for differentiated learning experiences which are paced to meet individual learning needs.
· Discussion boards are open 24/7. This will allow for greater access to the site and in time, as the site grows, allow for both interstate and international participants to contribute.
· Information provided on our site will be made available in a variety of formats for example, podcasts, texts, instructional videos etc. All webinars given will be made available as podcasts so that around Australia and the world can access at a time that suits them.
· Blogs are used for individuals to track their own learning as well as comment/support other uses. These blogs will be a great tool to show people the process a learner has engaged in and can be used as a resource for future participants.
· The Show and Tell area allows users to showcase work samples, new tools or problems that they collaboratively solve. This area is open to all users not just school based. Show and tell and the forums are a great tool for learners to share resources as well as ask others for guidance as to where to find needed resources. This is an important feature in creating a sustainable community as it takes the onus of ‘providing answers’ away from the moderator and onto the community.
Stage 4 - Knowledge Construction
Users “take control of their own knowledge construction in new ways.” (Salmon and Shepherd, 2004).
· Each module has resources (including text and videos) and user manuals which will be used by participants to complete manuals. The variety is essential in meeting individual learning needs and/or preferred learning styles.
· The nature of blogs means that the construction of one’s knowledge can be documented and tracked. The blog is used to show how users develop their knowledge on particular web 2.0 tools. In this capacity it can act as an assessment tool to showcase their final product and the process involved in getting to that end point.
· The Show and Tell area allows users to showcase their new skills by showing work samples or their products. It also allows other users to see the potential of some of the Web 2.0 tools used.
“participants become responsible for their own learning and that of their group. They build on the ideas acquired through the e-tivities and apply them to their individual contexts.” (Salmon and Shepherd, 2004).
· At the completion of their chosen module users are expected to integrate their new knowledge into their practice. This will be evidenced in their learning journals/blogs as well as the show and tell areas of the site.
· Users can choose to complete another module of their interest. The modules will be designed in a way that builds on knowledge and integrates acquired skills.
· Users can contribute to discussions and learn from other users on new tools that can help inform or improve their practice. Discussions can be used as a how to or as a think tank on how to use a particular Web 2.0 tool into the classroom/teaching practice.
Source:
Salmon, G; Shepherd, D (2004). All things in moderation. All things in moderation company, England. [Viewed 30th April, 2011] http://www.atimod.com/e-tivities/5stage.shtml