Teaching in e-learning environment

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Teaching in e-learning environment

• Nataša HoicBožic
• natasa.hoic_at_ri.t-com.hr
• University of Rijeka (Croatia)

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Agenda

• Introduction What is e-learning?
• Major characteristic, technology, benefits,
  drawbacks
• Models of online learning and blended learning
• Role and activities of online teacher

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E-learning term

• The "e-" prefix electronic
• e-business, e-commerce, e-banking, e-government,
  e-marketing,
• e-school, e-university, e-campus, e-library,
• e-teacher, e-student
• e-learning both learning and teaching
• Learning - the process of acquiring knowledge or
  skill through study, experience or teaching

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What is e-learning?

• Different definitions of e-learning
• Technology-oriented - emphasis is on e-
• E-learning is any kind of learning, training or
  education that is enhanced by the use of
  information and communication technologies
  (ICT).
• Pedagogical-oriented- emphasis is on learning
• E-learning is an interactive process between
  teacher and the learner through the electronic
  media.

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E-learning continuum

• E-learning as a continuum of teaching

Source CARNet E-Learning Academy - ELA learning
materials
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E-learning and technology
Form Description Technology
Traditional (f2f) teaching Teaching (mostly lecturing) in the classroom No technology
Classroom aids Technology is used to enhance the face-to-face teaching Presentations, multimedia CD-ROM, Web sites, online testing, e-mail, forum,
Mixed-mode A combination of face-to-face and technology- mediated teaching LMS (Learning Management System), videoconference
Online education Fully online e-learning in which all teaching is technology-mediated without any f2f meetings Courses are delivered on Internet (Web sites or LMS), videoconference
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Basic e-learning approaches

• Blended (mix-mode, hybrid) learning
• some face-to-face (f2f) elements are replaced by
  technology mediated teaching
• Pure (online) e-learning
• without any f2f meetings
• asynchronous (e.g. web courseware, e-mail)
• synchronous (e.g. videoconferences)

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Benefits of e-learning

• Flexibility learning anytime and anywhere
• Learning customized to students needs
  individual learning style and self-paced learning
• Better access to content 24/7 online delivery
• Online learning material up-to-date, relevant,
  multimedia, interactive
• Improved communication between students and tutors

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Drawbacks of e-learning

• Reduced social and cultural interaction between
  students and teachers
• Students should be motivated to learn and with
  great deal of self discipline
• High students' drop out rate
• Technology issues

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Educational components
Teacher
Didactic triangle
Learner
Content

• Didactic triangle

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Pratt's General Teaching Model
Content
Learners
Ideals
Teacher
Context
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Socialization and gaining attention

• Socialization process students talk to each
  other, ask questions, and enter the learning
  environment
• Attention gathering students leave their work
  or home, enter a classroom, and are motivated by
  a teacher

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Two models of online learning

• Community of learning - uses real-time
  synchronous or asynchronous communication
  technologies to create virtual classrooms
• Independent learners - work by themselves and at
  their own pace through the course of instruction

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Blended learning approach

• Blending or mixing various elements
• Online and traditional learning environments
• Technology and media for learning content
  delivery
• Different teaching and learning methods (both
  online and traditional)
• Group and individual learning activities
• Synchronous and asynchronous interactions

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Role of online teacher

• Designing and organizing the online learning
  context establishment of the learning community
• Facilitating online discussion and interaction
• Provision of direct instruction
• Assessment and certification of student learning

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1. Designing and organizing the online learning
context

• Construction of the course content, learning
  activities, and assessment framework
• Learning activities should encourage both
  independent study and community of learning
  models
• Stimulating, guiding and supporting students
• Teacher and course content
• works with learning materials created by others
• creates all of the content as lone ranger

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2. Facilitating online discussion

• Learners develop their own thought processes
  through the discussion with colleagues
• Developing a sense of trust and safety within the
  electronic community
• Teacher regularly reads and responds to student
  contributions and questions
• Teacher posts question or discussion items
  relevant to course content
• Discussion groups led by student moderators

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3. Provision of direct instruction

• Teacher is not only e-moderator - facilitator
  of learning
• Subject matter expert who provides direct
  instruction
• Sharing the subject matter knowledge with
  students not only by lecturing
• Interjecting comments, referring students to
  information resources, providing technical help

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4. Assessment of student learning

• Explicit and detailed criteria on which student
  learning will be assessed
• Timely and detailed feedback to students
• Usual forms of online assessment
• Online tests
• Assignments, (essay type) projects
• Participation in online discussion

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Qualities of e-teacher

• Excellent e-teacher is an excellent teacher
• Knowledge of the subject domain
• Pedagogical and methodological knowledge
• Motivation for dealing with learners
• Possesses technical skills
• Must have a kind of innovativeness, flexibility
  and determination

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References

• AHyCo e-learning portal (in Croatian)
  http//AHyCo.ffri.hr/
• Anderson, T. (2004). Teaching in an Online
  Learning Context. http//cde.athabascau.ca/online_
  book/ch11.htm
• Pratt, D. D. Good teaching one size fits all?
  http//www.one45.com/teachingperspectives/PDF/good
  teaching.pdf