eLearning eVolution

Here is some mythbusting about eLearning provided by Clive Shepard, a consultant in the UK. His blog is called Clive on Learning. These are Clive’s three synchronouf eLearning myths:

- Myth #1: One hour is enough for anyone. Evidently there’s quite a bit of evidence to the contrary.

- Myth #2: Classroom will always be best. Sometimes you can get better results in the virtual classrooom.

- Myth #3: Just one more death by Powerpoint. Looks like people are pretty creative when it comes to live eLearning.

Any additional myths about live eLearning you’d live to debunk?

Keep on Elluminating!

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication

Recently, we held another of our Elluminate Customer Advisory Board meetings, and one thing we heard a lot about was integrity. In other words, how do instructors and academic institutions prove virtual classroom students don’t cheat during exams? One solution is to have each students turn their webcam on for ad hoc monitoring. This is something to think about, and something we at Elluminate are going to research to be able to provide some best practices for you.

Then I saw this eSchool News article today, which opened an entire new can of worms! Entitled “Digital Debate: Prepare Kids for Exams or Life?” the article discusses the 21st Century version of the open-book exam. The question is: should students be able to use digital devices when taking tests? Read article here.

Looks like we need some serious discussion on the idea that the definition of cheating needs to be changed for today’s digital generation. In preparing students for life and work, is it more important to evaluate their ability to gather information than to memorize it?

As enabling technology transforms teaching and learning, must it also transform assessment as well? What do you think?

Keep on Elluminating!

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication

I recently ran across a ‘virtual paper’ (which is a great idea by the way) on blip.tv about “Collaborating by Design,” where author and presenter Hazel Owen of Unitec New Zealand discusses a process model and framework you can use to get started with ICTELT (Information, Communmication Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching).

One of the basic things to understand about using technology for online collaboration is that you must move from a teacher-centered to a learning-centered approach. In other words, it’s more important what the student does than what the teacher does, says Owen. And while it’s tempting to just let the technology dictate the online activities, pedagogy should actually be the driving force. In my mind, the technology should be as invisible as possible to facilitate a focus on teaching and learning.

Owen believes it’s all about meeting the needs of today’s students, who are sophisticated users of technology and who expect online or blended sessions where formal or informal collaboration can happen. In fact, interactive online activities are very important to collaborative learning. Something we understand at Elluminate.

Interestingly enough, Owen tests her model at Dubai Men’s College, a great story in itself. Enjoy.

Keep on Elluminating.

Beth – Elluminate Goddess of Communication