Competencies of E-moderators in Online Learning Environment

In an Online Learning Environment, understanding the learners becomes a very intricate task. More than often it is difficult for the instructors of an online course to know in advance which learners will need help and which of them would sail through the course easily. The solution to this problem is ‘Contingent e-moderating’.

E-moderators must be thorough with the various aspects of the online environment. They should have the capacity to understand their learners quickly and well enough, as this will help them to be good facilitators. They must have the capacity to bring the learners - coming from various backgrounds, together and make them comfortable with the teaching-learning environment. They should be able to make use of various strategies according to their learners needs. Another aspect of efficient e-moderating is that e-moderators should be very sensitive towards online relationships - instructor-learner and learner-learner. The ability to build trust among the learners should come naturally to them.

The e-moderators must be well-versed with their content and the use of various softwares. They should be able to make use of a wide range of approaches, from structured etivities to freewheeling discussions which could help learners to explore ideas, develop arguments, promote valuable threads etc. They should be able to create links between various features of learning programmes, introduce online resources without diverting participants from interaction. They should be open to criticism as well as suggestions from the learners.

They should have strong determination as well as motivation towards their work. Hence, they should act as a catalyst and continuously keep improvising on their skills to foster interaction among participants and hence enhance the teaching-learning process. The ability to adapt to new teaching contexts, methods, audiences as well as their roles is more than often a challenging, but surely an interesting task.

About e-learningPulse.com

Hello friends,

I recently came across a site eLearningPulse.com which is an online community for instructional designers, graphic designers, software developers, etc. This site provides free resources to the eLearning development community. Resources include varied topics from keyboard shortcuts, effective powerpoint presentations, how to use wikis, etc. to templates, storyboard, rapid e-learning, engaging interactions for e-learning, etc. and more. Besides this, there are features like news, discussion forums, job postings, etc. which make the site interesting. The e-learning polls feature allows the user to cast his/her vote regarding any topic. The registration is free for users.

The menu bar consists of options – home, news, forums, videos, jobs, widgets and about. There are archives to access previous articles. The discussion forum is informative. I came to know about the term “edupunk” while surfing. This word is coined by Jim Groom, an “instructional technologist” at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. Edupunk is a D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) attitude towards education. I found the article interesting. Currently there is free access given by the developers of the community. Do visit the site, I am sure you will find it informative if not useful.

Hooked onto – TANGLER!

For most of us who were asked to work on Discussion Forums, the biggest problem was finding a suitable one. After much scouting, I discovered a rather interesting forum called Tangler. This is a modern and easy to use forum with several features that come as a pleasant surprise to those finding it difficult to maneuver on the internet. A few simple & “easy-to-understand” sequences of steps allow a new user to set up an new discussion forum in minutes. The fact that there are over 1000 discussions to their credit makes Tangler an increasing popular option. It can be made a public or private discussion depending on the requirement of the user. User profiles allow each discussion participant to create a colorful and socially interesting façade.

Two of the key features that caught my fancy (and for very obvious reason were overused) were the synchronous element of communication facilitated by an online chat and the link embedding to other sites.

The synchronous chat is overwhelmingly popular with the modern generation that thrives off IMs. All members of a given discussion forum can chat with one another easily without needing to download any software or device. Moreover, this chat is made more interesting with a set of emoticons. The discussion forum will indicate all members that are online at any given time.

Tangler allows any user to copy the link to a required discussion forum and have it pasted in other blogs, social networks and websites. This is again a oncoming trend, that facilitates access to an unrelated site. Clearly cross referencing only got easier.

Additionally, Tangler can be customized to suit not just the whims & fancies of the user but also reflect the nature of the discussion by allowing theme selection as well as custom display. All of this and more can be discovered by any user with minimum knowledge and awareness of internet and computer related information. Discussion only became more interesting eh?

Google Alerts and Google Translate

Google Alerts

Google alert alerts you about new information regarding the subject area in which you are interested. It updates your knowledge and ultimately you. Google alert helps to alert you about latest news regarding specific subject you are interested in, about new uploaded web pages, what are blogs and what they have, which are the group of that particular subject.

Google alert searches the latest information in all areas (web, news, blogs, group, etc) based on your choice of query or topic) and mails you all updates in your Gmail account for that you don’t have to create new account. You just have to create alerts of the subject of your interest.

Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

• monitoring a developing news story

• keeping current on a competitor or industry

• getting the latest on a celebrity or event

• keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

How to create Google alert: - Google > More > Even More > Google Alert

Once you enter in to Google alert you can define the topic on which you want your alert, how often you want alert and your email ID where you will get your alert and types of alert like video, web, comprehensive etc;

Google Translate

Google Translate is a one of the applications of Google. It helps to translate text as well as Web pages. Google has developed their own statistical translation system for the language pairs on Google translate. Google translate has four main options translate and web, translated search, Dictionary and tools.

Translate and web: - Translate and Web is again categorized into two options as a Translate text and Translate a web page. Translate text translates the text written or pasted in the given box where as translate a web page translates a whole web page once we past the address of link into given box.

Translated search: - It gives you already translated websites.

Dictionary:-Translate the meaning of words, gives related words and also provide web definition.

Tools: - Which has different options like gadget, Google toolbar which need to be downloaded. After creating Gadget you will get automatic translate. And after downloading Google toolbar, you just take mouse pointer over an English word, and the Word Translator displays that word's meaning in your own language.

How to create Google translate: - Google > More > Even More > Google translate

Google translate helps when someone wants information on particular topic and that information is available in other language.

Google SMS channels

Google SMS Channel

Google SMS Channels is a service that enables channels/groups to send SMS. It's a free service that enables user to get premium content published by Google publishing partners, Google popular products (Google News, Blogger and Google Groups) and websites with RSS/Atom support for free. This Channel can be operated using mobile as well as website.

SMS Channels allows user to create their own channel(s) to publish content that other users can subscribe to. It is also possible to create groups over SMS to communicate with your friends, family, and co-workers. When you post a message to your channel; all the members of your channel get the message forwarded at the same time for free. SMS tariff charges may apply when you configure the service or publish to a channel using a mobile phone. User will be charged the standard tariff charged by their mobile operator when they send a message. The message is treated as a single message even though the message might be reaching multiple users. It has Character limit of about 145 characters for every SMS.

User can use the service by going to the Google SMS Channels site or via mobile phone. On the web you can sign up using your Google account. You'll have to put your phone number while signing up. They will send a verification code via SMS to your phone. You'll have to insert the verification code you received to complete the sign up process. If you want to keep your information open for everyone then you can keep your channel open for everyone otherwise it will be restricted to the user to whom you have send invitation. Complete privacy is maintained.

You can subscribe sms channel through this site http://labs.google.co.in/ .

This application is really useful; MET-CA -07 batch is using this for sending common announcements and notices.

SCAMPER Technique for Tthinking Creatively

SCAMPER is a strategy that can be used to assist students to generate new or alternative ideas. It is a tool to support creative, divergent thinking. SCAMPER is an acronym for: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify/magnify/minify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Rearrange which can be applied as an stimuli to make you think differently.

S- Substitute the components, materials, and people. In this already existing idea or product will be substituted with some other idea or material.

C - Combine – In this you combine or mix two ideas, purpose or properties of some object. Use all possible combination's.

A - Adapt - alter, change function, use part of another element according to the objective or its value.

M - Modify - increase or reduce in scale, change shape, modify some attributes (e.g. colour).

P - Put to another use. A particular idea, object which is generated it could be used for some other use.

E - Eliminate - Remove elements, simplify, reduce to core functionality or its value in purpose.

R - Rearrange – It is to rearrange the components or interchange some components or interchange the sequence.

EXAMPLE 1:

I want to invent a new type of pen.

Substitute - ink with iron, nib with knife
Combine - writing with cutting, holding with opening
Adapt - pen top as container
Modify - body to be flexible
Put to other uses - use to write on wood
Eliminate - clip by using velcro
Rearrange - nib to fold outwards

Practical Methodology
1)It is not necessary to use all the steps in SCAMPER.
2)Steps can be selected and combined in a variety of ways to match your teaching intentions

Active learning games – What are they?

What does the word ‘games’ get to your mind - fun, excitement, full of life? Have you ever pondered on the thought of including games in learning which will make the learning active as well as interesting and effective?

Active learning refers to involving the students in various activities for the purpose of learning. It is where the instructor strives to create a learning environment in which the student can learn to restructure the new information and their prior knowledge into new knowledge about the content and to practice using it. This is usually done by involving students in many activities during the course of instruction for the retention of learning.

Active learning methods engage students directly in thinking and problem solving activities.

There are many methods of active learning viz. small-group discussions, demonstrations, debates, concept questions. But the one method that we will be discussing in this article is using games as an active learning method.

According to Caillois (1961) ‘a game as an activity that is voluntary and enjoyable, separate from the real world, uncertain, unproductive (in that the activity does not produce any goods of external value) and governed by rules.’

Active learning games can be included both in a face to face as well as a virtual environment. Games if included while instructing makes learning more fun and this can be incorporated in both the settings mentioned above.

Playing games in a face to face environment helps the students to socialize with other students. But now this can be experienced in a virtual environment also where the instructor can plan games in such a way that students are involved in supporting their team members or helping their team members to win the game.

Many types of games can be included while teaching in today’s times. Games like word game, puzzles, logic games, strategy games, board games and many more can be incorporated in a lesson. Also online educational games which are freely available on the World Wide Web can be incorporated in a virtual as well as a face to face environment (for a variety in learning).

Games today are being recognized for their universal appeal and ability to involve learners in concepts that are otherwise difficult to teach. Teachers and learners alike appreciate the effectiveness of games to overcome apparent barriers to learning. Thus, active learning games are a good way to make concepts clear as well as interesting.

To know more about the research that supports active learning games you can visit the link below.

http://strategic.mit.edu/PDF_archive/3%20Refereed%20Conference/3_57_CDIO_active_learning.pdf

Constructivist Strategies for Online Learning Environment

Online learning is an approach to learning that gives learners flexibility in terms of time, place and pace of learning. It is interesting to know that with the growing influence of technology, the actual process of learning is undergoing a paradigm shift. Learners today have a choice over the process of learning and sharing knowledge - in person, by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time and through other chatting ways, despite being separated by geographical boundaries. Thanks to virtual classrooms that is a concept which is now taken more seriously by universities, institutions and corporates world-over!
Constructivist approaches blended with technology have been instrumental in helping learners in the online learning environment. The online learners are essentially engaged in real world or authentic tasks that are anchored in a situation depending on their context and performance setting. This greatly enables the adult learners to construct personal meaning from their experiences. They are also exposed to a variety of teaching methods/environment which requires communication with other individuals despite being separated geographically. Group work, collaborative efforts, reflective thinking, introspection, exploratory learning, etc finally make them self-directed individuals.
Constructivist strategies can be broadly classified into exploratory strategies, dialogic strategies and supportive strategies. Exploratory strategies include problem-solving strategies, role-playing, hypothesis generation and exploration. Dialogic strategies are those that extensively use dialogue in them. Articulation, reflection, multiple perspectives and collaboration and social learning come under the umbrella of dialogic strategies. Modeling and explaining, coaching and scaffolding are strategies that come under supportive strategies. These strategies promote teaching that involves some kind of a back and forth transaction between the instructor and the learner or between learners, over traditional teaching. In such a context, learners actively construct their own knowledge. They get more involved in the process of learning whereby they realize the importance of taking responsibility of their knowledge. All the constructivist strategies help in promoting self-directed learning, which is a strategy in itself. (Source: Online Learning, Concepts, Strategies and Application - Nada Dabbagh, Brenda Bannan-Ritland, Pearson, Merrill Prentice Hall, 2005)

It is a process in which learners take the initiative with or without help from others to analyze their learning needs, state learning goals, identify resources for learning, choose and implement learning strategies and most importantly evaluate the learning outcomes. Along with this the learner also learns to use the task strategies – rehearsing and memorizing, organizing and transforming; help seeking and time planning and management. The online environment is ruled by the fact that the learner and the facilitator are separated geographically and the effects of this constraint can be overcome by making the learners self-directed individuals.

What is LCMS?

LCMS stands for Learning Content Management System. LCMS is a multi-user environment. The main objective of LCMS is to create, store, reuse, manage, and deliver digital learning content or Learning Objects (LOs) from a repository. The primary target users of LCMS are content developers, Instructional Designers (IDs) and Project Managers (PMs).

LCMS provides authoring tools to create new LOs for the repository. Authoring packages use templates and storyboards which do not require technical knowledge. So it is easier for one who doesn’t have technical knowledge to create LOs with the help of authoring packages.

In LCMS, LOs can be assemble and consolidate into lengthier learning paths or learning experiences that are personalized to a learner's profile. Delivery of content or LO is done to the learner at the right time.

LCMS provides a facility of using same content across various courses and curriculums. So only once content can be created and used according to course’s requirement. Content can be tagged so that one can search according to topic’s name.

In LCMS, one can create test questions. Administration of test is done i.e. the system can deliver the test to learners and also prescribe learning based on performance.

LCMS helps to manage learners profile and course catalogues. It offers synchronous as well as asynchronous communications i.e. chat as well as email.

Google Docs as a Teaching-Learning Tool:

Google docs is a tool that can be used very conveniently by various users. It is like a separate google account which looks after your mails and other data extremely well. I used this tool for a few assignments and I felt it was the most convenient mode for communicating with various people for work purposes.

What makes it the best and the most comfortable tool to be used, is its various features. It segregates your assignments and data; date wise. You can put your data under various folders. For example, If you tag one of your data under the name of “assignment”, a Box with the name “assignment” will appear next to that document.

It also allows you to customize the appearance of the folder name.

The most convenient facility provided by this tool is that you have the facility to share you power point presentations, excel sheets and word documents. You can easily publish them for the rest of members to view it. If you add your colleagues or other members as collaborators, they can also view the same presentation, spreadsheet or word document. It helps you work on the same stuff from different places.

The excel sheet also provides you with the facility to chat with your collaborators, hence making discussion easy and worthwhile. There is a separate icon for excel sheet, PowerPoint and word documents provided, therefore making the documents easily identifiable. Important documents can be ticked with a star next to it.

The chat and the document sharing facility made it very easy for me to coordinate with my group members to complete the work assigned. Below given are the steps that need to be followed to enter into Google Docs.

We all are use to the interface of G mail. Once we sign in with our gmail ids, there is an option of “more” on the top left hand side corner of the interface. Once that option is clicked, we can click on the “even more” option. There will be several tools or features listed, that are provided by google. There will be an icon of Docs and Spreadsheets. A click on it will lead you to your google docs inbox. It is simple to use and very convenient.

I found it very simple to use yet very systematic and thought of sharing it with others.

Below is the image of what a google docs inbox looks like:

What is the Need of Web evaluation in educational field?

We can not imagine today’s world without computers. Computers have become an integral part of our lives. More and more people use internet to gather information. The number of resources available via internet is immense and it continues to grow at a staggering rate. Hobber’s internet Timeline reports that the internet has been doubling in size about every year, growing at a rate of 10% to 15% a month.

In today’s world there are no geographical separations and there are no borders, and all people are encouraged to participate and contribute drawing on their experiences and resources. In cyberspace actions and reactions are essentially instantaneous, and this is why the internet is so gratified and attractive. There are some positive and negative aspects of internet which has great impact on our society.

In education teachers, students, researchers all use website information to enhance their knowledge. The online world is quickly becoming a source of primary information for both teachers and students. “If it is on the internet, it is true …” is a phrase that can be terribly troubling to educators. All information available on the website is not always authentic. Students and teachers should critically evaluate web pages for authenticity, applicability, authorship, bias and usability. With more than 350 million documents available on the web alone, finding relevant information online can be daunting. Therefore, the ability to critically evaluate information is an invaluable skill should be taught to each individual.