Duke University School of Nursing is already using Second Life as part of the campus learning. By the look of the video, it looks extremely fun and educational.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Addiction To Virtual Worlds
Kids grow up this day playing games and there is of course a big addiction to game playing. Could this be one reason why so many schools are not yet willing to throw out the red carpet to virtual world as part of the everyday learning?
As Oblinger (2008) points out, we have to also understand that not "all students are attracted to technology" (p. 20). I think this could be another disadvantage because we, too many times, assume every kids growing up has a computer and/or video game system and they love everything about technology. In reality, that might not be the case.
Many students I've worked with at my DE Department have a hard time using a computer and sometimes have no idea how to log into their account online or access online courses. This is why it's important to understand that "not all students have computers, not all are skilled users, and not all want to use technology" (Oblinger, 2008, p. 20). I think these students might not be ready for the virtual worlds because they are a lot more complicated.
As Oblinger (2008) points out, we have to also understand that not "all students are attracted to technology" (p. 20). I think this could be another disadvantage because we, too many times, assume every kids growing up has a computer and/or video game system and they love everything about technology. In reality, that might not be the case.
Many students I've worked with at my DE Department have a hard time using a computer and sometimes have no idea how to log into their account online or access online courses. This is why it's important to understand that "not all students have computers, not all are skilled users, and not all want to use technology" (Oblinger, 2008, p. 20). I think these students might not be ready for the virtual worlds because they are a lot more complicated.
Free Web 2.0 Services
Many of the Web 2.0 technologies we use today are basically free services, all you need to do is sign up with a free account and log in. You only need a computer and Internet connection in order to log in so I don't really see how it would really affect you unless you don't have neither of these two available to you.
People tend to forget there are libraries with computer and Web access.
People tend to forget there are libraries with computer and Web access.
Content Storage House
There are many websites out there today which let you upload your videos and send them around to other people, or just let the public views the video without moderation.
YouTube is a great Web 2.0 technology service many professors in face-to-face and online courses are using. It's either they create their own content and upload it to YouTube or they find other content related to the course from other schools and post them on the class discussion board.
Many professors are utilizing such website as YouTube. Creating video content is also a lot easier this day with people using many programs out there such as Windows Movie Maker to content wmv file and upload to YouTube.
YouTube is a great Web 2.0 technology service many professors in face-to-face and online courses are using. It's either they create their own content and upload it to YouTube or they find other content related to the course from other schools and post them on the class discussion board.
Many professors are utilizing such website as YouTube. Creating video content is also a lot easier this day with people using many programs out there such as Windows Movie Maker to content wmv file and upload to YouTube.
Web 2.0 At Home...Or Library
Web 2.0 technologies are exciting stuff indeed, and I'm one of those people who like video, audio, chat, etc., in a classroom setting. on the other hand, if I were a new student to online student and have never experienced all of these things, they could be a scary beginning for my experience in online learning.
I think we have to take in account that not every student has a computer at home...even though they are pretty cheap now, but we have to put that in perspective. Some students are using the library or some other places to do online learning. They probably don't have the software/hardware/tools needed to fulfill all the Web 2.0 technology requirements.
We also have to taken in consideration what courses we are taking and whether or not it really requires the use of Web 2.0 technologies. When you are taking a Calculus course online, the chance of you using Web 2.0 technologies in the course is a lot higher than in a face-to-face setting. What is the chance of you viewing a video in a Calculus class when you are taking it face-to-face? I think the closest thing to Web 2.0 technology for a face-to-face math course is a calculator.
I think we have to take in account that not every student has a computer at home...even though they are pretty cheap now, but we have to put that in perspective. Some students are using the library or some other places to do online learning. They probably don't have the software/hardware/tools needed to fulfill all the Web 2.0 technology requirements.
We also have to taken in consideration what courses we are taking and whether or not it really requires the use of Web 2.0 technologies. When you are taking a Calculus course online, the chance of you using Web 2.0 technologies in the course is a lot higher than in a face-to-face setting. What is the chance of you viewing a video in a Calculus class when you are taking it face-to-face? I think the closest thing to Web 2.0 technology for a face-to-face math course is a calculator.
What Would You Like With That Web 2.0?
Do you like Web 2.0 technologies? Yes, no, maybe so...
This is a good point to consider, regardless of whether you use Web 2.0 technologies in a face-to-face or online class. At the end of the day, it comes back to what each of us want to learn and what we like about the technologies. Someone in the class could be all into podcasting, while someone else could hate it altogether.
My department offers Podcasting and training for faculty, but not a lot of them use it. I do have to point out one thing about podcasting and that is most of the stuff people roll out are MP3 and MP4...you don't really have to use an Ipod to listen or watch them, but most people are confused (even students) and they think you can only listen to them in person using an Ipod, which is not true.
This is a good point to consider, regardless of whether you use Web 2.0 technologies in a face-to-face or online class. At the end of the day, it comes back to what each of us want to learn and what we like about the technologies. Someone in the class could be all into podcasting, while someone else could hate it altogether.
My department offers Podcasting and training for faculty, but not a lot of them use it. I do have to point out one thing about podcasting and that is most of the stuff people roll out are MP3 and MP4...you don't really have to use an Ipod to listen or watch them, but most people are confused (even students) and they think you can only listen to them in person using an Ipod, which is not true.
Old vs. New Technology
Most new faculty today are trained to teach online because the interface is no longer the same like what older faculty used to teach in the early days of distance learning online. I work in a DE department and let's just say it's really hard to push the faculty who have taught online since way back when it started at my college to make use of the new technology.
They have been trained again to use the new interface and software, but they usually come back for help. And I'm just talking about basic Web stuff, nothing with Web 2.0 technologies. I do agree with you James that faculty/teacher should be trained before they use the technologies.
They have been trained again to use the new interface and software, but they usually come back for help. And I'm just talking about basic Web stuff, nothing with Web 2.0 technologies. I do agree with you James that faculty/teacher should be trained before they use the technologies.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Exams And Technology
"Should exams be given without access to books, calculators, and the internet, or is the real measure of a learner’s skill demonstrating how to use the tools and technologies to augment their own capabilities?" (p. 28).
Oblinger, D. (2008). Growing up with Google: What it means to education.
http://partners.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/page_documents/research/emerging_technologies08-2.pdf
When I first signed up for an online course, my thoughts were that all the exams, finals, papers...everything I was going to do for my online course was going to be ONLINE.
Boy, was I wrong.
When my professor told me I had to register for my final exam and take it in person, I just thought to myself...what is the point of me taking an online course if I have to go to campus and take the freaking exam in person????
The reason why I took an online course was to avoid going on campus...any hour, any day, any time. So back to Oblinger's question above regarding exams and books and calculators. I would have no objections to students having open book exams. Do we actually think open book exams are earlier? Not at all.
I have taken a lot of exams at home and at campus (open books) and they are hard as closed books. If it's an online course, I would love to just sit home and do the final exam instead of showing up on campus and doing it in person. Even for a math course, I could look at the equations in front of my face but what is the chance of me actually solving the math problem?
Do I really need to memorize y = 2x + z? Not really, unless I want to be a mathematicians or physicist...
Oblinger, D. (2008). Growing up with Google: What it means to education.
http://partners.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/page_documents/research/emerging_technologies08-2.pdf
When I first signed up for an online course, my thoughts were that all the exams, finals, papers...everything I was going to do for my online course was going to be ONLINE.
Boy, was I wrong.
When my professor told me I had to register for my final exam and take it in person, I just thought to myself...what is the point of me taking an online course if I have to go to campus and take the freaking exam in person????
The reason why I took an online course was to avoid going on campus...any hour, any day, any time. So back to Oblinger's question above regarding exams and books and calculators. I would have no objections to students having open book exams. Do we actually think open book exams are earlier? Not at all.
I have taken a lot of exams at home and at campus (open books) and they are hard as closed books. If it's an online course, I would love to just sit home and do the final exam instead of showing up on campus and doing it in person. Even for a math course, I could look at the equations in front of my face but what is the chance of me actually solving the math problem?
Do I really need to memorize y = 2x + z? Not really, unless I want to be a mathematicians or physicist...
I Love Technology...NOT
There are many advantages and disadvantages to virtual worlds and the technology within it that enables educators to utilize in their teaching. In her article, Growing up with Google: What it means to education, Diana Oblinger (2008) points out one important thing about students and technology and that is we have to understand that not "all students are attracted to technology" (p. 20). I think this could be another disadvantage because we, too many times, assume every kids growing up has a computer and/or video game system and they love everything about technology. In reality, that might not be the case.
Many students I've worked with at my DE Department have a hard time using a computer and sometimes have no idea how to log into their account online or access online courses. This is why it's important to understand that "not all students have computers, not all are skilled users, and not all want to use technology" (Oblinger, 2008, p. 20). I think these students might not be ready for the virtual worlds because they are a lot more complicated.
Many students I've worked with at my DE Department have a hard time using a computer and sometimes have no idea how to log into their account online or access online courses. This is why it's important to understand that "not all students have computers, not all are skilled users, and not all want to use technology" (Oblinger, 2008, p. 20). I think these students might not be ready for the virtual worlds because they are a lot more complicated.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Virtual Worlds...Of Slow Computer
Everyone loves the online world, especially, when it becomes a virtual world. I think some of the benefits of Second Life to e-learning are that it allows for a more appealing visual view of the presentations, a more entertaining way of learning, and better communication/interactions between two or a group of people. Students who are growing up along with the changing world of technology enjoy a cooler and better way to interact. Most schools today use a similar environment like Second Life as the basic design for something like a course or school orientation on the Internet. They have audio and video, and even though they are only avatars, sometimes there are real people interacting with you. Overall, this is very production and it provides for fast communication if a student is in need of help in a synchronous matter.
The big pitfall of using something like Second Life is cost. How do you know the other person who will be using this program has the necessary software and hardware, plugins, etc., to run the program. A program like Second Life requires the person on the other end to have sufficient Graphic and Audio cards, a fast computer with a top-notch CPU, and not to mention fast Internet connection. Even with a FIOS Internet Connection, sometimes logging in a virtual setting like Second Life can take time and patience out of you. Not everyone has these tools, and most people probably can’t afford to upgrade their computer or hook up high-speed Internet.
When you create something this advance, you also have to think about disabled individuals who might not be able to view it at all. The virtual world is a fun and interactive place for people to join, but if you can’t access it at all then you can’t really participate. The designers have to take into accounts the cons listed about.
The big pitfall of using something like Second Life is cost. How do you know the other person who will be using this program has the necessary software and hardware, plugins, etc., to run the program. A program like Second Life requires the person on the other end to have sufficient Graphic and Audio cards, a fast computer with a top-notch CPU, and not to mention fast Internet connection. Even with a FIOS Internet Connection, sometimes logging in a virtual setting like Second Life can take time and patience out of you. Not everyone has these tools, and most people probably can’t afford to upgrade their computer or hook up high-speed Internet.
When you create something this advance, you also have to think about disabled individuals who might not be able to view it at all. The virtual world is a fun and interactive place for people to join, but if you can’t access it at all then you can’t really participate. The designers have to take into accounts the cons listed about.
Web 2.0 Technologies: Take It Or Leave It!
In his Editorial section of The American and Journal of Distance Education of last year Michael Moore said:
“This is that this potential benefits of Web 2.0 technologies will only add marginally to the quality of our North American teaching, if, as seen too likely, energy and money is invested primarily in adding them on to current methods for designing and teaching distance education courses. Indeed, the overall effect of the new technology will be negative and counterproductive, if interest in the technology draws attention further from the need for reform in the way design our courses…” (2007: 188)
I half agree and disagree with Moore’s statement. The agreement in this statement for me is as Distance Learning courses add more and more technology, or invest in energy and money in these courses, the traditional feel to learning will change. On the contrary, DL is not face-to-face learning, thus, there should be a different between the two. If you are learning online, Web 2.0 technologies will enhance the experience. Being someone who enjoys audio and video, I think these technologies will add special feature to the class; especially, those courses that are a bit…how do I say it delicately…boring…
Regardless of what we say, some courses are pretty boring…and you just want to see something new and exciting to the course. Web chat, camera, microphone, animations; all of these Web 2.0 technologies add to the excitement of the course. It doesn’t take away anything from our learning methods or what we are learning as part of our knowledge management.
Having said that, if you are one of those old school learners-or just hate online courses as a whole- then Web 2.0 would become a nuisance because you are already having a hard time navigating through the course in the first place. I think this line, “the overall effect of the new technology will be negative and counterproductive,” would take on a different meaning from each of us. Some will find the technologies as negative while other will find it as a positive. It’s all up to each of us on how we achieve our learning and what resources we use.
“This is that this potential benefits of Web 2.0 technologies will only add marginally to the quality of our North American teaching, if, as seen too likely, energy and money is invested primarily in adding them on to current methods for designing and teaching distance education courses. Indeed, the overall effect of the new technology will be negative and counterproductive, if interest in the technology draws attention further from the need for reform in the way design our courses…” (2007: 188)
I half agree and disagree with Moore’s statement. The agreement in this statement for me is as Distance Learning courses add more and more technology, or invest in energy and money in these courses, the traditional feel to learning will change. On the contrary, DL is not face-to-face learning, thus, there should be a different between the two. If you are learning online, Web 2.0 technologies will enhance the experience. Being someone who enjoys audio and video, I think these technologies will add special feature to the class; especially, those courses that are a bit…how do I say it delicately…boring…
Regardless of what we say, some courses are pretty boring…and you just want to see something new and exciting to the course. Web chat, camera, microphone, animations; all of these Web 2.0 technologies add to the excitement of the course. It doesn’t take away anything from our learning methods or what we are learning as part of our knowledge management.
Having said that, if you are one of those old school learners-or just hate online courses as a whole- then Web 2.0 would become a nuisance because you are already having a hard time navigating through the course in the first place. I think this line, “the overall effect of the new technology will be negative and counterproductive,” would take on a different meaning from each of us. Some will find the technologies as negative while other will find it as a positive. It’s all up to each of us on how we achieve our learning and what resources we use.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Streaming Video
Video has become one of the cool ways of adding visual to an online course. The problem with streaming, as one of the article points out, is the file size. Audio files are good when it comes to how big the file size are, but when it comes to video, we might have streaming problem if the video is too long. We also have to worry about the software and hardware people will have to might to support the different video format.
Not everyone has DSL, Cable, or TI connection, but hopefully, as the price drops in the future, people will be able to add it into your PC.
Not everyone has DSL, Cable, or TI connection, but hopefully, as the price drops in the future, people will be able to add it into your PC.
Affordable Technology
With technology becoming cheaper and cheaper each day, I guess what Delich, Kelly, and McIntosh are trying to say is developing countries are now able to take online courses thanks to all the technologies available. They see this as a positive because in the past, these people would never be able to take courses if they have no transportation to reach the schools where they want to go.
McGreal and Elliott (2008) also points out that "as the cost of hardware, software, and telecommunications declines, even developing countries can look forward to a future where access to the wealth of the world’s knowledge is commonplace," (p. 160). Having said that, the negative to technology is if it doesn't work then we have big problems. Like I mentioned the internet, if you have no connectivity then it doesn't matter where you are situated, it will impact you negatively. That is the downsize of technology, if it works it's a miracle, if it doesn't, we get frustrated with it.
McGreal and Elliott (2008) also points out that "as the cost of hardware, software, and telecommunications declines, even developing countries can look forward to a future where access to the wealth of the world’s knowledge is commonplace," (p. 160). Having said that, the negative to technology is if it doesn't work then we have big problems. Like I mentioned the internet, if you have no connectivity then it doesn't matter where you are situated, it will impact you negatively. That is the downsize of technology, if it works it's a miracle, if it doesn't, we get frustrated with it.
What In The World Is E-Learning?
E-learning is one of those words they have associated with distance education. I think e-learning is used even more for adults who are taking some kind of online courses or training at work. As least when I see e-learning, I automatically think about working people and online learning. Many organizations now offer e-learning for their employees, they pay them or offer the courses themselves.
Discussions
Discussions, for the most part for online students, it is independent...BUT...we are talking about discussions so it is a classroom setting. While the response is always on your own because you have to wait for your classmates to response, and in the most part, communication is not always at the right time. You probably won't get a response right away, but if you look at it as a whole, it would be a collaboration because you are not talking to yourself. There are people looking at what you are writing and you are communicating back and forth.
Technology
While I like technology to not be moving so fast as it is right now, one thing that caught by eyes as I was reading the textbook was when Michael Moore and Greg Kearsley (2005) wrote "as the use of [DE} spreads, previously disadvantaged populations, such as rural and inner city students, can take course from the same institutions and same faculty that were previously only available to students in privileged, mainly suburban areas," (p. 20, para. 1). This is true because if I wanted a college degree and lived 2 or 3 hours away from any nearby college and has no transportation or ways to get there, I would be very happy with online courses.
It's hard to believe that we have only gotten so advance in technology for the last 15 years or so. I remember still using dial-up in 1997 for AOL, but now it's DSL and FIOS, Cable Internet. We used to use antennae for TV, now we have HDTV. Many colleges and universities have their TV channels for students to watch and learn. It's hard to imagine most of these things are happening so recently. It's the way technology is moving and how we are changing along with it.
It's hard to believe that we have only gotten so advance in technology for the last 15 years or so. I remember still using dial-up in 1997 for AOL, but now it's DSL and FIOS, Cable Internet. We used to use antennae for TV, now we have HDTV. Many colleges and universities have their TV channels for students to watch and learn. It's hard to imagine most of these things are happening so recently. It's the way technology is moving and how we are changing along with it.
Teleconference
We have yet to really utilize teleconferencing in distance learning. I think it would be a nice way, maybe instead of the introduction being put on the conference, professors and students could have a first day teleconference to greet and meet one another.
The only con this is how would we be able to have everyone meet in the same place on the telephone. Everyone would have to be sitting at one table, so that would be like meeting face-to-face on the first day, which would be like a blended course.
Trying to get a group together for an online course is hard because most of us don't live in the same location. Maybe in the future, some kind of technology will help bridge this part. Of course, the question is would people be willing to use it.
The only con this is how would we be able to have everyone meet in the same place on the telephone. Everyone would have to be sitting at one table, so that would be like meeting face-to-face on the first day, which would be like a blended course.
Trying to get a group together for an online course is hard because most of us don't live in the same location. Maybe in the future, some kind of technology will help bridge this part. Of course, the question is would people be willing to use it.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies
Two of the advantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies I found similar, as presented in the three articles, are better communication tools and software. Some of the tools the authors listed are PDA, Cell phones, improved personal computers and laptops. Another advantage the authors Delich, Kelly, and McIntosh (2008) pointed out in their article, Education for a Digital World, is the availability for people in third world (developing) countries to take courses online today. People who live miles and miles away from colleges and universities are now able to get a degree through the help of technologies.
While these tools are becoming more and more available, there are also disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies. While we have things like audio and video technology, people are still not using video technology too much because as McGreal and Elliott (2008) pointed out in the article, file size different plays a huge factor. While audio file can be small (mp3, wmv), video files are sometimes too large. As they explained, video samples “demand more processing power on part of the receiving computer” and there is a huge demand “on hardware and requires additional software” to run the video” (2008, p. 147).
For me, the advantages of synchronous technologies allow for faster communication between two persons or a group of people. Many organizations now use teleconference for meeting and the Internet and improvement in telephone technology has allowed for faster and more reliable communication. Not everyone has to be present at the table in order to have a meeting. The advantages of asynchronous technologies include video and audio. If you miss a meeting or some kind of conference, most of the time, you can view the videos and audio later on at a time of your choice. You don’t have to worry about missing the importance pieces.
The disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies in my opinion include slower pace working environment, slower response time, and the need for face-to-face communication is limited. While synchronous technologies allow better communication through audibly and visually, some people might content to just stay home instead of showing up for a meeting. This could also be said for asynchronous technologies because people will tend to procrastinate and the response time to a question or project will take longer.
One big disadvantage the authors seem to not focus on is the Internet, itself. With all the computer and PDA, cell phones…they all need the Internet or Wireless network to connect. If there is no network, or if for some reason the Internet goes down, then people wouldn’t be able to log online to do what they need.
While these tools are becoming more and more available, there are also disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies. While we have things like audio and video technology, people are still not using video technology too much because as McGreal and Elliott (2008) pointed out in the article, file size different plays a huge factor. While audio file can be small (mp3, wmv), video files are sometimes too large. As they explained, video samples “demand more processing power on part of the receiving computer” and there is a huge demand “on hardware and requires additional software” to run the video” (2008, p. 147).
For me, the advantages of synchronous technologies allow for faster communication between two persons or a group of people. Many organizations now use teleconference for meeting and the Internet and improvement in telephone technology has allowed for faster and more reliable communication. Not everyone has to be present at the table in order to have a meeting. The advantages of asynchronous technologies include video and audio. If you miss a meeting or some kind of conference, most of the time, you can view the videos and audio later on at a time of your choice. You don’t have to worry about missing the importance pieces.
The disadvantages of synchronous and asynchronous technologies in my opinion include slower pace working environment, slower response time, and the need for face-to-face communication is limited. While synchronous technologies allow better communication through audibly and visually, some people might content to just stay home instead of showing up for a meeting. This could also be said for asynchronous technologies because people will tend to procrastinate and the response time to a question or project will take longer.
One big disadvantage the authors seem to not focus on is the Internet, itself. With all the computer and PDA, cell phones…they all need the Internet or Wireless network to connect. If there is no network, or if for some reason the Internet goes down, then people wouldn’t be able to log online to do what they need.
Face-to-Face or Online?
One interesting question Bates and Poole (2003) brought up in the reading is "what is there about face-to-face teaching that cannot be replicated through technology?" (p. 57, para. 2). This is the question that has been asked and will probably be asked forever because it brings up a debate between people who prefer face-to-face courses over online, and vice versa.
Is learning online the same as learning face-to-face? Some would say yes and some would say no. Personally, I see learning as learning and in this situation, we just learn through two different mediums. The interaction is still there and communication exists between students and faculty, but the only thing that is different is the classroom setting.
Students who prefer face-to-face interaction will always see a con in online learning, even if technology progresses further up the ladder and we begin to incorporate audio/video devices as the authors envision in the future. I think no matter how many pros/cons we get from the question above, the one thing we probably can pick out from these is that live communication is missing.
Is learning online the same as learning face-to-face? Some would say yes and some would say no. Personally, I see learning as learning and in this situation, we just learn through two different mediums. The interaction is still there and communication exists between students and faculty, but the only thing that is different is the classroom setting.
Students who prefer face-to-face interaction will always see a con in online learning, even if technology progresses further up the ladder and we begin to incorporate audio/video devices as the authors envision in the future. I think no matter how many pros/cons we get from the question above, the one thing we probably can pick out from these is that live communication is missing.
Distance Education vs. Online Learning vs........
When I first started taking online courses I was a bit confused because people were using Distance Education, Distance Learning, Online Learning, Online Courses, and a few other words. I always thought they were different from one another; especially, when you throw in Blended and Hybrid. I don't think people have yet to come to an agreement on which word is the definitive word to use.
The word distance education seems to encompass all if we were to pick a word. Personally, I would pick Distance Education because most people would define DE as having to be online learning and online plus blended/hybrid. Most students would say online course. I work for the distance learning department at my college and most students who call in would use "online course." They never say, "I'm taking a distance learning class," they would just say, "I'm taking an online course."
I think no matter what you use, as long as you know what you are talking about when it comes to DE, then we are all safe :-)
The word distance education seems to encompass all if we were to pick a word. Personally, I would pick Distance Education because most people would define DE as having to be online learning and online plus blended/hybrid. Most students would say online course. I work for the distance learning department at my college and most students who call in would use "online course." They never say, "I'm taking a distance learning class," they would just say, "I'm taking an online course."
I think no matter what you use, as long as you know what you are talking about when it comes to DE, then we are all safe :-)
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