Learning Technology for Blended Learning October 2005 Ed Garay UIC Instructional Technology Lab www.accc.uic.edu/itl Academic Computing and Communications Center University of Illinois at Chicago
Teaching with Technology at UIC Traditional face-to-face instruction Web-enhanced teaching and learning Advanced Web-enhanced classes Online learning The University of Illinois Online experience Blended learning traditional face-to-face instruction with an online component
Technology for Blended Learning (1) ACCC and the Instructional Technology Lab commitment to UIC teaching and learning with computer and Internet technology, including Blended Learning (2) Blended Learning is a lot easier than online-only program delivery, like UofI Online. UIC is in good shape for both.
A typical scenario of Web-enhanced for a traditional face-to-face class Uses a Blackboard course site Put the syllabus online, along with a couple of supplemental handouts Post announcements and email your class List a handful of related (external) links Make available practice exams Use the Blackboard Online Gradebook (post documents in HTML or PDF)
A typical scenario for a blended class Makes a much more elaborate use of Blackboard Put the syllabus online, supplemental documents and all/most lecture notes Post announcements and email your class Use discussion forums regularly for studentteacher communication and for student-led discussions and Web activities Intersperse 5min-long online assessments
A typical scenario for a blended class Makes a much more elaborate use of Blackboard Run Blackboard Virtual Office Hours Use groups for collaborative learning Beam in guest speakers into class and/or host expert visitors on discussion forums Make available practice exams Use the online gradebook extensively Maintain a list of related (external) links
A typical scenario for a blended class Notes about class materials Post them always in HTML and/or PDF Avoid long, sequential content, especially with multimedia under 15min audio enhanced presentations under 5min video clips intersperse assessments and other activities to retain learner s attention and give them feedback leverage campus computer labs and high bandwidth for specialized content & activities
A typical scenario for a blended class Notes about discussion forums Use a generic forum for end of class Q&A consider allowing anonymous postings Instructors and TAs regular participation Make discussion forum and Web activity assignments an integral part of the grade Offer individual and group assignments be clear about the assignments, minimum number of meaningful postings/week, due dates provide feedback and summary commentary
A typical scenario for a blended class Notes about online assessments Think of these as end-of-chapter open-book exercises (not big grade quizzes) Offer many short (5 to 10min) weekly+ assessments, minimal or no grade multiple attempts can be, at times, very beneficial provide automatic feedback on all assessments The primary goals should be student selfassessment and to provide additional (easy) interactivity to the course
Learning Technology Tools Instead of going through a set number of learning technology systems and tools, it is usually best to describe what one is trying to accomplish (and why), and let the Instructional Technology Lab consultants identify the technology or architected solution best suited to meet the teaching and learning objectives.
Learning Technology Tools Document creation Dreamweaver, Acrobat, Word, PowerPoint ITL s help to make Web accessible content Audio-enhanced presentations Narrate presentations in PowerPoint Convert for delivery via Impatica Remember to break traditional hour-long face-to-face lectures into small 10 to 15- minute segments Provide handouts for students to take notes
Learning Technology Tools Using video and audio content video and audio can easily be digitized from tape and streamed over the network video files are typically 20 to 50 times bigger than audio files digital audio works well over traditional telephone/modem connections video requires broadband or campus-like network bandwidth could distribute digital video via CD or DVD
Learning Technology Tools Using video and audio content Podcasts are audio-only programs, typically available for MP3 playback Video authoring tools Entry-level: Pinnacle Studio, imovie, idvd Adv.: Premiere, Final Cut, DVD Studio, DVDit Utilities: RealProducer, Camtasia, Cleaner Audio authoring tools Audacity, itunes, RealProducer, SoundForge, Pinnacle Studio
Learning Technology Tools Synchronous technology For real-time class activities, collaborative learning, off-site instruction and to beam in guest speakers Blackboard Learning System tools Blackboard Virtual Office Hours Web conferencing (i.e. ACCC e-rooms) ideal for computer-driven audio presentations to teach from anywhere to anywhere interactive tool set, optional Webcam video
Learning Technology Tools Synchronous technology Videoconferencing over the Internet ideal when both audio and video communication are essential primarily used for room-to-room conferencing not well suited for computer-driven presentations Instant Messenger ubiquity beyond plain-text keyboard chat optional audio, video, application sharing Skype, ichat, other
Learning Technology Tools Blackboard Content System (new@uic) Content management for Learning System WebDisks a new service from ACCC to save, share and access files and folders over the Web WebDisks are very easy to use WebDisks are secure (authenticated, encrypted) they can hold personal files and folders individual files and/or folders can also be shared with others for collaboration Electronic Portfolios
Learning Technology Tools Miscellaneous SafeAssignment plagiarism detection Multilingual Blackboard course sites (spr06) Blackboard voice discussion forums (pilot) Wikis, Blogs and RSS Wikis facilitate online collaboration If you can see a Wiki, you can edit it easily Blogs are Web logs (typically personal) Blogs are simple to create, maintain, reflect on Possible Blackboard wiki and blog (spr06 pilot)
Contact Info ACCC Instructional Technology Lab www.accc.uic.edu/itl itl@uic.edu 312.996.9824 ITL-East 401 SCE ITL-West 181 BGRC