Session 4 - E-Learning in Higher Education

Bula Vinaka All,

This would be my fourth blog for ED403 that focuses on Innovations in Learning Technologies and Professional Practice.

Electronic learning, or e-learning, is the term for the use of technology to transmit instructional materials and enable teacher-student communication. Online classes, virtual classrooms, and digital resources including films, animations, and interactive tests are all examples of eLearning programs. As technology has advanced and the demand for flexible learning options has grown, eLearning programs have taken on a significant role in education. Effective eLearning program design and implementation, however, can be difficult. 

Source: Shift eLearning

This session has 2 assessments which are

1. Microteaching (and Micro-LED) and E-facilitation– 
2. E-Learning Case Study.

With Micro-Teaching, we are to prepare a 5-minute video on the lesson plan for the microteaching session. Below is the video of my lesson plan that will be the content of my online teaching on the coming Tuesday (30th April 2024).

Video: Lesson Plan for Micro-Teaching Session

Following this lesson plan, we are to conduct our online teaching (via an online platform) where our group members are the students for the session and assessors since this assessment facilitates peer assessment and self-evaluation. The 5-minute video lesson plan needs a few improvements when carrying out my online teaching.  

The e-facilitation assignment is a combination of individual and group effort. We are expected to design, develop, and deliver a module online mode through the Moodle shell assigned to the group. During this designated e-facilitation week (for our group), we will take charge as a group and facilitate learning for the whole cohort.

Below is a snapshot of the link to the Moodle page that we (as a group) would need to work on to facilitate learning.

Figure 2: Snapshot of Link to Group Moodle Page

This session has been very intriguing as in my opinion, there is no better framework to examine how our relationship to technology is changing as digital technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives than education and lifelong learning.

Educational Technology:

The main issue with educational technology is the goal-setting process, which is handled from two angles: 

1. Setting diagnostic goals and objectively monitoring the pupils' learning of study materials;
2. fostering general personality development. 

Planning the educational outcomes in the form of systems of specialized abilities through task components is one method of increasing the specificity of pedagogic goals (table 1). 

Source: Studying innovation technologies in modern

education by NM Stukalenko, 2016.

From experience, the main takeaway message that we should note is:

Figure 4: ALT's Definition of Learning Technology

Professional Practice

The four guiding principles of ALT's approach are as follows:

1. dedication to sharing and communicating best practices; 
2. empathy and a readiness to learn from colleagues with varying backgrounds and specializations; 
3. a commitment to stay current with emerging technologies; and 
4. At the core, a commitment to investigating and comprehending the interaction between technology and learning (refer to figure 2).

Figure 5. Four Core Principles of Professional Practice

Conclusion:

Innovation in education arises from problem identification, observation and learning from others, development of novel approaches to these challenges, and iteration of these approaches when first experiments yield unsatisfactory results.

In the field of education, innovation can be:

1. Realizing that flipped classrooms, in which students hear lectures at home and complete tasks in class, are more beneficial for students.
2. Increasing the amount of technology used in the classroom to establish a blended learning environment where students interact with it as they would in the real world.
3. Offering more effective video solutions to enable parents in school districts to communicate with each other in a clearer and better manner.

 

Session 3 - E-Learning Trends in Higher Education: Learning Analytics; BYOD and mLearning; AR & VR

 Bula Vinaka Reader,

This session in ED403 is all about e-learning and it has been an interesting journey learning different technologies that are and can be used for learning in higher education.

My blog post will be about the Benefits of Using E-learning in Higher Education.

The delivery of education in universities has been completely transformed by eLearning. With the development of technology, students now have access to a variety of digital resources, including interesting courses that improve their educational experience. Free from the confines of traditional classroom environments, students can study at their own pace and convenience because of the freedom provided by eLearning. With the use of interactive tools like virtual classrooms and discussion boards, e-learning systems allow students to collaborate with peers from all over the world. Their views are widened, and an international learning community is fostered by e-learning. We'll look at some of the most important advantages of e-learning for institutions in this blog.

In a post made by Marilyn Schenk,  the top benefits of using e-learning in universities include:

1. Flexibility and Convenience - by enabling student to access course materials from the comfort of their homes or any location with strong internet connectivity rather than being physically present in class
2. Cost-Effectiveness - Infrastructure costs for traditional classroom-based learning can involve large financial outlays for things like tables, seats, and classrooms. However, eLearning does away with the necessity of actual classrooms and lowers the related expenses
3. Enhance Access and Reach - Students get access to lectures and course materials via eLearning at any time and from any location. For students whose hectic schedules prevent them from attending classes, it is advantageous. Students can learn at their own pace and convenience thanks to eLearning, which does away with the requirement for them to physically be present in the classroom.
4. Personalized Learning Experience - Students can be encouraged to explore and be creative in a personalized learning environment. Teachers can provide a learning experience that is specific to each student's needs and learning style by molding the curriculum to fit each student's needs, interests, and aptitudes.
5. Enhance Collaboration and Communication - eLearning platforms in universities facilitate improved communication and collaboration between teachers and students. Students can participate in meaningful discussions with their teachers and peers virtually using instant messaging, video conferencing, and online discussion boards, regardless of where they are physically located.
6. Integration of Multimedia and Interactive Learning - With eLearning, students can access a range of multimedia resources to gain a deeper comprehension of the subject matter, including podcasts, online simulations, and films.
7. Exposure to Technological Skills - Universities may foster a tech-savvy environment that stimulates student innovation and creativity by utilizing our eLearning offerings. Their academic path is enhanced and they are given the tools necessary to succeed in a world driven by technology thanks to this exposure to technological abilities.
8. Enhanced Time Management Skills - Students have more autonomy over their own time when they use eLearning. Students can study at their own speed and have access to lectures and course materials at any time. It gives them the capacity to more effectively manage their time, which improves their academic success.
9. Continuous Professional Development - One of the biggest advantages of e-learning in higher education is the opportunity for ongoing professional development. Students and faculty members can improve their knowledge and skills in their disciplines by using eLearning materials.

E-learning (through ED403) has allowed deeper learning on the use of technology for learning and one of the greatest advantages of using e-learning is that it enables universities to reach a larger audience, which may include students who would not be able to attend regular on-campus programs because of scheduling or geographic restrictions. It not only encourages diversity among students but also inclusivity.

Thank You.