Reflective Synopsis

From following the blogs placed on My Uni Blog, you are able to see the different e-learning styles that were presented in the courseware for FAHE11001 – Managing E-Learning. Each blog explains what each e-learning tool is and how it can be used in the classroom. It is also then analysed in accordance to the ICT learning design and the active learning frameworks.

After analysing the vast range of e-learning tools, there are some that I would definitely use as a first preference over others and in a teaching environment. These include the following: YouTube, Interactive Whiteboards, PowerPoint, learning Management Systems, Voki avatars, e-portfolio, RSS Aggregators and Blogs. I have chosen these as I believe that they are the best examples of e-learning tools that I would use to help engage the student’s learning.

YouTube is something that I am very familiar with, and I think this is a contributing factor as to why I would use it in a classroom situation. An effective way to use YouTube in a classroom would be to give each student (or group of students) an aspect of a set topic. Then get them to search on YouTube and find the best video that they believe portrays and give correct information about that topic. Then they would share their links to each other and therefore gain a wider and broader understanding of the overall topic. This creates a Learning Task by getting them to search individually, a Learning Support when the students are showing each other’s findings and YouTube itself is the Learning Resource. According to Oliver (1999) learning design combines the following three elements: Learning Tasks, Learning Recourses and Learning Supports. Therefore YouTube is an e-learning tool that would help to enhance student’s learning.

Learning Management Systems or (LMS) are essential to online learning, especially at university level. In saying that however a LMS could even be used in primary school teaching. For example a LMS could be created as a Homework system. This would have the different weekly teachings and homework on it. The teacher would teach the children the lesson in class and then the students would be able to access the lesson again at home on their computer when they are doing their homework. They can then do the exercises relating to each lesson while still being able to access the lesson itself. This would enhance a students learning because it would limit the amount of notes they would have to take in class, allowing them to spend more time actually listening to the teacher.

Voki Avatars are, as stated in the Voki Avatar blog entry, commonly made to be a version of one's self to be able to put a face to the student and/or teacher (Cohen, 2007). Voki Avatars are innovative and creative and in this way they are an exceptional e-learning tool and can be used in the online learning environment to improve students’ education. I would use a Voki to introduce and announce the learning outcomes that the student will learn from the lecture that follows it. This will give the student to an overall picture of what the rest of the lecture is about and why it is beneficial in reading it. In this way the Voki is being used as a Learning Support (Oliver, 1999).

An e-portfolio is one of the e-learning tools that I value the most, as it shows the journey of a student and allows them to learn and reflect on their own. For students an e-portfolio is very beneficial because it shows them a path and a direction, each created by themselves due to their individual circumstances. Everything happens for a reason and this can be shown through the journey of an e-portfolio. An example of this is that in order to finish a degree there are many factors that need to come in to play for this to be achieved, so things are not in our control but still need to be done to finish the degree. As discussed in my e-portfolio blog; an e-portfolio incorporates the needs that are in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (see Image 2. Below) which in turn offers reflection, growth and development, leading ultimately to self-actualisation.

As established, Blogging is a web based communication tool (Williams & Jacobs, 2004) and it cannot be argued that it is a great e-learning tool. Otherwise this whole assignment would have been of no benefit to my fellow students or to myself. The way that we have used blogs to discuss the different e-learning tools and become ‘follower’ of each other’s blogs has in itself been an enhancement on our learning abilities. This could be used in all online learning environments as it shows a bit about your fellow classmate and their opinions and analysis on topics.

Online discussions with my lecturer and peers have been very beneficial, being able to discuss your worries and concerns with each other by posting on the ‘coffee lounge’, viewing each other’s blogs and chat rooms has helped immensely. Proving that these e-learning tools have helped a great deal in the learning process for this assignment. As you can see from all of the blogs posted on My Uni Blog, all of the e-learning tools are all beneficial in learning in their own rights. The way in which they are used may vary but if we remember netiquette philosophy, "remember the human" (Gil, 2005), we can’t go wrong in enhancing the way in which students learn.

Reference List

Cohen, A. (2007). Avatars and Education. Classrooms without Walls. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.squidoo.com/voki

Gil, P.H. (2005). About.com Guide to Internet for Beginners since 2004. Retrieved August 4 and August 20, 2009 from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/netiquetteonlineculture/l/blnquiz2005.htm

Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www.dirkdavis.org/cbu/edu518/resources/Savage03/MaslowsHierarchy.pdf

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Williams, JB. and Jacobs, JS. (2004). Exploring the use of blogs as learning spaces in the higher education sector. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 20(2). pp. 232-247. Retrieved July 20, 2009 from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/

Images

Image 1. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image 2. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www.psyctherapy.com/Enrolled/images/Dressing3/maslow.gif

VoiceThread

VoiceThread is another way in which you can upload and share documents, images and videos. However you can also then talk about them and comment on other peoples uploads by using, 'voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam)' (http://voicethread.com/about/).

VoiceThread is a combination of all three of Oliver's ICT Learning Design Model. It incorporates Learning Task by creating the voice thread that is to places with a particular document, image or video. It is a Learning Resource because you can find things and learn from others, and finally it is a Learning Support because you can give each other feedback and comments.

Reference List
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Using Music on the Web

Using music not only on the web, also in real circumstances helps to create a mood and atmosphere for the learning environment. In this way music as a e-learning tool can be related to elements in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, e.g. Self -Actualisation, this is seen my the way music relaxes and sooths.

Music can also be used to link into what is being taught by the lyrics in songs.

Reference List

Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from

http://www.dirkdavis.org/cbu/edu518/resources/Savage03/MaslowsHierarchy.pdf

Images

Image 1. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from http://www.cootamundra.local-e.nsw.gov.au/files/129758/File/music_notes.jpg

SlideShare

SlideShare allows you to share slide with people all over the world, whether they be photos, stories or educational. 'Slides' can be classified as Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Adobe PDF Portfolios.

SlideShare is a Learning Resource (Oliver, 1999) because it lets you took up and see other peoples slides and what they have been learning and what you to know. It is also a Learning Support (Oliver, 1999) because you can put your own slides on and others can view them and in this way you are support others in their learning.

Reference List

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image

Image 1. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from http://www.semiosiscommunications.com/blog/wp-content/themes/semiosis/images/slideshare-logo.png

WIKIPedia

WIKIPedia is a free encyclopedia. It is as discussed in my Wiki blog is a place where you can search just about anything and from that one search can then go directly to related topics or more in-depth meanings of the topic first looked at. WIKIPedia is a Learning Resource (Oliver 1999) because it is a place to find and explore topics.

Reference List
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image
Image 1. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from http://ccrjustice.org/files/images/wikipedia-logo.png

WebQuests

A WebQuest is an internet orientated activity, it is where learners go on a 'quest' to find out all they need to know about a particular subject. According to Wikipedia, 'During this activity learners read, analyse, and synthesize information using the World Wide Web'. In the end all of the students get together and collaborate what they have found.

This is an effective e-learning tool, because it brings together the Oliver's three ICT Learning Design Model elements; Learning Resources, Learning Tasks and Learning Supports (Oliver, 1999).

Reference List
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image

Image 1. Retrieved August 18, 2009 from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6mSSkjy99De2TKGWxntsf5D_6Wy_9NziKKaSpwKEo9siHvxCqyqvO-a05uNtjy64mKseDYFuaRYWvCCuNcW9BLBzQ4_9lmwpmgjg85U7V8w-zx8xv56RLunmb1M6S5UmIJ2HFImD_cTF/s400/webquest-intro.png

Google Earth

Google Earth allows you to view the world! To be specific it has maps, satellite views, 3D buildings even pictures of outer space. This is a exceptionally beneficial e-learning tool especially for Geography students. Google earth is a Learning Resource (Oliver 1999), allowing the students to have the world at their finger tips.

Reference List
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm



Image

Image 1. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.unepscs.org/images/stories/SCS_on_Google_Earth.jpg

Podcasting

Podcasts are a great way to communicate between students and teachers. They can be used as lectures and put on the web, then when the student has subscribed to the podcast he or she can watch it when and where they want. Podcasts can be downloaded on to computers, iPods and other devices. This is how they are able to be watched in any location. They can be watched when ever because once you have subscribed to a podcast you don't have to watch it as soon as it is put on the web, you can store it and watch it in your own time. This is why Podcasting is a very useful Learning Resource (Oliver 1999) within e-learning.

Reference List
Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image

Image 1. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.masternewmedia.org/images/podcasting_globe_with_headset_id108564_size420.jpg

YouTube

YouTube is an online video service, where people can view and upload videos from all over the world. I as I am sure many others have had plenty of experience using YouTube and all it has to offer...even if it is not always factual.

YouTube as discussed my Snelson & Elison-Bowers, 'is particularly beneficial in e-learning which relies on digital content'. This is because it allows videos to be used as educational learning tools and is very easy to obtain. Since the creation of YouTube in 2005 (Snelson & Elison-Bowers, 2009) there has been a rapid growth in online video creation and viewing. As a learning tool, YouTube is beneficial because it has a immense range of different videos that can be accessed via the site. For example (see below video), you can learn how to cook a cake, make a paper aeroplane or even to more in deepth things such as the way the human body functions.

Reference List
Snelson, C. & Elison-Bowers, P. (2009). Using YouTube videos to engage the affective domain in e-learning. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.formatex.org/micte2009/book/1481-1485.pdf

Quizzes

Throughout my course I have found that online quizzes have been a very beneficial learning tool. They test what you know and ultimately what you don't know. This is where the learning takes place, you learn from your mistakes. In most online quizzes you are given a few chances to succeed in answering all questions correctly. This way you obviously know the answer you get correct when you first take the quiz, and the ones that you get incorrect are the areas that you need to work on.

According to Oliver (see image 2. below) Quizzes are both Learning Tasks and Learning Resources.

Reference List

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image

Image 1. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://floriascience.com/myPictures/girl____hg_wht.gif

Image 2. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Animations and Simulations

Animated visualisations that show both structures and processes help teachers convey important concepts (Falvo, 2008). The key word in the previous sentence is 'help', this in turn shows that animation and simulation is a Learning Resource (Oliver 1999). Animations and simulations help convey concepts to students; they cannot be left as the only means of learning. This is because according to Falvo, 'Animations can mislead learning causing misunderstandings and misperceptions'. This mainly occurs with the interpretation process, for an example Flavo has said that, 'learners assume that the colors and the shapes reflect the actual reality of the represented items, when often the shapes and colors are either symbolic or an idealisation of time and space relations'.

An example of an animation and simulation can be seen below:

Reference List
Falvo, D. (2008). Animations and simulations for teaching and learning molecular chemistry. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://ijttl.sicet.org/issue0801/4_1_5_Falvo.pdf

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image Manipulation

Photo Manipulation can be done very easily and in many different ways, from adding a speech bubble to someone’s head in paint to adding an extra eye in Photoshop. According to Lodriguss, 'with today's technology, we can literally do anything we want with images'. For example see the images on the right. Image 1 is of toothpaste begin put on a toothbrush, however when it gets on the toothbrush it ends up in a figure of a person. Image 2 has been manipulated so that the person's face has the texture and appearance that of cracked, dry soil.

Image manipulation a controversy e-learning tool as it creates Ethics and Aesthetics issues (Lodriguss, 2006). Although it allows the learner to manipulate the photo the way that they require it, it creates images that are not entirely 'real'. Therefore having to give great consideration when using the image in a assessment piece.

Reference List
Lodriguss, J. (2006). The Ethics of Digital Manipulation. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/ETHICS.HTMM

Images
Image 1. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://english.artegami.com/picture-manipulation-with-photoshop/
Image 2. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://designerer.com/tutorials/cracked/IMG%201.jpg

Flickr

Flickr is an 'online photo management and sharing application' (http://www.flickr.com/tour/). It not only allows you to share your photos and videos to family and friends, but can be used as a safe place to store and organise your pictures. Making Flickr a very useful Learning Resource (Oliver, 1999).

Reference List

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Image
Image 1. Retrieved 10, August, 2009 From http://www.flickr.com/tour/

Video

Firstly we need to clear up that video in terms of e-learning is not limited to the VHS. It includes, YouTube videos, Recorded lectures, DVDs, etc.

Snelson & Elison-Bowers explain video as, ' a powerful medium for conveying the spectrum of human emotion through the drama of the audiovisual story'. For video to be used as an e-learning tool, only parts of a video should be shown to reiterate what is being taught. For example at the start of a lecture/class a small snippet of a video relating to the topic that is begin taught is shown. This is a great way to engage the students by using another form of media, but still keeps them focused on the topic at hand.

Reference List
Snelson, C. & Elison-Bowers, P. (2009). Using YouTube videos to engage the affective domain in e-learning. Retrieved August 15, 2009 from http://www.formatex.org/micte2009/book/1481-1485.pdf

Image
Image 1. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from
http://www.milk2sugars.com.au/uploads/images/M2S%20images/stack-of-videos.jpg

Interactive WhiteBoards

I myself have never had the opportunity to use or seen an interactive whiteboard. I have only had experience using a 'normal' whiteboard and an electronic one.

Interactive whiteboards are a little different from the 'normal' and electronic versions. The interactive whiteboard combines computer, projector and board as one. According to Miller, Glover and Averis, 'it offers considerable advantages in the presentation of learning materials, the development of concepts and leads to enhanced motivation of pupils'. This ties into both Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Oliver's ICT Learning Design Model.

Reference List
Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www.dirkdavis.org/cbu/edu518/resources/Savage03/MaslowsHierarchy.pdf

Miller, D. Glover, D. & Averis, D. (2003).
Developing Pedagogic Skills for the Use of the Interactive Whiteboard in Mathematics. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ed/iaw/docs/BERA%20Paper%20Sep%202005.pdf

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm


Image


Image 1. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://iwb.ictcentre.wikispaces.net/file/view/white.jpg

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Learning Management Systems, the title says it all...a systems that manages our learning. An example of this is Blackboard, commonly used for the management of individual subjects at CQU. Moodle is another example, and it is being used throughout FAHE11001 (http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/login/index.php).

Learning Management Systems are a beneficial e-learning tool as it incorporates all three elements from Oliver's ICT Learning Design Model; Learning Tasks, Learning Resources and Learning Support (Oliver 1999). Together they are helping to provide all the information a student needs for the topic in question.

Reference List

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentational form of teaching (Laurillard, 2002), and has been around since 1984 (Gaskin, 1984). Even though it has been around longer than some others it is still an excellent e-learning tool.

PowerPoint combines pictures, diagrams, music, video, words, sounds and images, just to name a few. As mentioned above Laurillard says that PowerPoint is a presentational form of teaching, so when using it, it is important that together with the presentation the teacher needs to continually explaining and reiterating what is shown on each slide. This will help to engage the students by having what they are seeing on the screen being linked to what the teacher has to say and in this way PowerPoint is being used as a learning support (Oliver, 1999).

I found the following website when looking at the fundamentals of PowerPoint and it is definitely worth a look for beginners to figure out how to use PowerPoint. http://www.actden.com/pp/.

Reference List

Gaskin, R. (1984). Sample Product Proposal: Presentation Graphics for Overhead Projection. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://www.gbuwizards.com/files/gaskins-original-powerpoint-proposal-14-aug-1984.pdf

Laurillard, D. (2002). Design tools for e-learning. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/auckland02/proceedings/papers/key_laurillard.pdf

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

Voki Avatars

Voki Avatars are where a character is created and used, but not limited, to delivering learning materials. The character can be gender specific or non gender specific; it can even be an animal! However Vokis as a learning tool are commonly made to be a version of one's self to be able to put a face to the student and/or teacher (Cohen, 2007). After creating 'yourself' as a Voki you then get to add a voice. This can be recorded or just typed in and a computer generated voice is used. The Voki then moves its lips so that it is talking to you, another feature is that its head and eyes follow the mouse around the page, this kind of gives the impression that you are there with them.


An example of this can be seen on the right of my Blog under the title ‘My voki’ (image - to create your own Voki, go to: http://www.voki.com/). I have used the Voki here to introduce myself and welcome people to my blog and explain what it is about.

Voki Avatars can be used as an effective teaching practice because it is innovative and engages students immensely. It adds a personal touch and helps 'provide the human interaction that is natural in classrooms and in the traditional learning environment' (Cohen, 2007).

Get a Voki now!

Reference List

Cohen, A. (2007). Avatars and Education. Classrooms without Walls. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.squidoo.com/voki

e.Portfolio

As shown in the image 1 (to the left), an e-portfolio consists of different attributes of your life and joins them together in one space. It shows you where a person begun and where they want to go or have gone. It also shows what avenues they took to get were they are now or how they are planning on getting where they want to be.

An e-portfolio is a development of the person, in this way it is a self teaching process. As seen in image 2 (below) there are three major purposes to an e-portfolio; Education/Training, Personal and Employment. This reflects greatly on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Huitt discusses these needs as Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem, Need to Know and Understand, self actualisation and Transcendence.

An e-portfolio incorporates these needs and ultimately shows the transformation of the person. It constantly changes as things change in your life; this offers reflection, growth and development.

Reference List

Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www.dirkdavis.org/cbu/edu518/resources/Savage03/MaslowsHierarchy.pdf

Images

Image 1. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://scottish-rscs.org.uk/newsfeed/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/jigsaw_pieces.jpgcontent/uploads/2007/12/jigsaw_pieces.jpg

Image 2. Retrieved August 6, 2009 from http://www.squidoomarketingstrategies.com/e-portfolio%20purposes%20theother662004%20flickr.jpg

WIKIs

When it comes to anything to do with the internet the word “fast” is always a positive attribute. So it is not surprising that if wiki is a Hawaiian word (Schaffert, 2006) that when translation means the word “fast” that it would be something quick, easy and prompt.

When wiki software is used to collaborate, create and edit interlinked web pages to form a website this is called a Wiki. I extremely well known wiki is Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/). Wikis allow you to go from one topic to another by a click of a button. This is a beneficial learning resource (Oliver, 1999) as it cuts out time wasted by individually searching for items because related items are interlinked and can be easily accessed via wikis.

Reference List
Schaffert, S. (2006). IkeWiki: A Semantic Wiki for Collaborative Knowledge Management. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4092241

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

RSS Aggregator

Before beginning FAHE11001 I was not fully aware of what an RSS aggregator was. I definitely didn't know what the term 'RSS aggregator' stood for, but had been using it without actually knowing I had been. For example I have a gadget function on my desktop that allows me to see the date, time, notes, photos and many other different things. The gadget in particular that relates to RSS is the 'Feed Headlines' this automatically feeds news headlines from Google News.

RSS is a rapidly growing concept and many websites are adding the RSS function to their sites. RSS can stand for "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary" (Duffy & Burns, 2006). My understanding is that by adding a websites RSS aggregator you receive constant and up to date information on the sites new content and also if anything has been altered. This can all be done without actually entering the site itself, so you don't have to continuously visit the site to check when the article/information you are seeking is on there or has been updated.

Therefore this is a helpful learning tool because it decreases the amount of time and effort when searching for a particular item from the site you have a RSS aggregator for. Having a constant feed of up to date information, in particular for news articles, is another way that RSS aggregators contribute to the learning process. This is because it is not always consciously acknowledged by the learner but by it being frequently seen it is subconsciously absorbed.

According to Oliver (1999) learning design combines the following three elements: Learning Tasks, Learning Recourses and Learning Supports. RRS aggregator is both a great learning resource and a learning support. It is a resource because it is place where students can find information from online articles, books, documents, web links and many more places on the World Wide Web quickly and efficiently. RSS aggregator is a learning support because it gives constant announcements on the specific topic the students are studying.

Reference List

Duffy, P. & Bruns, A. (2006). The Use of Blogs, Wikis and RSS in Education: A Conversation of Possibilities. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/5398/1/5398.pdfGoogle

Oliver, R. (1999). Exploring strategies for on-line teaching and learning. Distance Education, 20(2), 240-254. Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/project/learn_design.htm

News, Feed Headlines. Retrieved August 4, 2009 from http://news.google.com.au/news?pz=1&ned=au&hl=en&topic=h&num=3&output=rss

Netiquette

I took the Netiquette quiz (Gil, 2005) a few weeks ago and got 7 out of 10 correct. I decided to take the quiz again today and see if I had become more of a "Netiquette bonehead" (Gil, 2005) .

Today I scored 9 out of 10 correct (so yes I am more of a bonehead...a Netiquette one, not just in general)! The question that I got incorrect was what is a 'flame'?? Which I have now learnt is a personal attack or insulting message (I thought it was a hot topic?!?).

A 'flame' is something that I think goes against the whole netiquette philosophy: "remember the human" (Gil, 2005) . If you were remembering the human, you would not personally attack or leave insulting messages, instead you would treat them in a friendly and courteously manner as you would in an everyday face to face situation.

Reference List
Gil, P.H. (2005). About.com Guide to Internet for Beginners since 2004. Retrieved August 4 and August 20, 2009 from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/netiquetteonlineculture/l/blnquiz2005.htm

Finally - My first Blog

I finally have my blog up and running! YAY! I have found this process a little confusing, however I have now figured out how to add posts and customize my profile. This was the user's (myself) fault as Blogger has been very helpful site, it is user friendly and has easy to understand instructions.

Blogging is a web based communication tool (Williams & Jacobs, 2004) and are a way for people to share their thoughts and opinions with others. For FAHE11001 purposes we will be following mine and all other students enrolled in this subject’s progress throughout the course, narrowing in on the different e-learning tools discussed in the courseware. My blog is accessible to everyone in the course and vice versa. We can communicate with each other by leaving comments and feedback for each other. This engages learners because they are able to interact with each other and see what others views are as well as being able to express their own thoughts on the topic in their own blog.

Reference List
Williams, JB. and Jacobs, JS. (2004). Exploring the use of blogs as learning spaces in the higher education sector. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 20(2). pp. 232-247. Retrieved July 20, 2009 from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/

Welcome

Welcome to my uni blog, where you can track my journey through the course FAHE11001 – Managing e-Learning.

I look forward to getting comments from you all.

Ali :)