G: Blended Learning
Blended Learning involves the use of multiple learning environments - usually some combination of physical/face-to-face and online/virtual approaches.
Over the last few years we have gradually expanded our use of online/virtual technologies for learning, teaching and assessment - both in the range of technologies and the number of students involved (see below).
Our range of physical/face-to-face approaches has also expanded over the same period to include team teaching, coaching/mentoring, workplaces, simulated work environments, open/flexible learning, regional annexes and others.
HC students and teachers in the virtual world Skoolaborate - 2007
In 2008 we will attempt to provide more seamless physical/online blended learning environments for all computing students (and several other courses) 24/7 whether they are on campus, at home or even in some workplaces. These environments will involve the following:
- A formal online environment where the class can store and share documents, discuss topics, pose questions and collaborate. We will use Moodle and ELGG services hosted off-campus and MS SharePoint Portal hosted on-campus.
- Presence and communication where students and teachers can be seen to be online and exchange information and files 24/7 as required. MS Office Communicator will be mandatory for all computing students. Other systems commonly used by students are Live Messenger, Google Talk, Facebook/Myspace, SMS... (Email is infrequently used for communication by the majority of students.)
- Virtual worlds where students and teachers can meet, complete tasks and create through personalised avatars in persistent online environments. We will expand our use of Skoolaborate and we also want to rent some education space for teachers to meet interested parents.
- Game worlds where students can roleplay, complete tasks and create new environments. We will expand our use of Neverwinter Nights begun in 2007 - and also our use of serious games such as PeaceMaker also trialled in 2007..
- Mobile Learning where students use mobile phones, game consoles, MP3 players and laptops to engage with course materials on and off campus.
- Mobile Desktop and RSS where students can integrate their online identities and interactions - educational and social - in a one-stop-shop. We will promote Google Desktop and Facebook although students may choose another service.
- Networked Learning where students connect - and hopefully engage - with professional communities of practise in their learning area. We will promote the Bloglines and Google Reader aggregation services although students can also bring RSS feeds back to Moodle, ELGG or even Facebook.
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I am a college student preparing to be a teacher. I have grown as technology has grown so I have been able to follow right along with it. What I find, however, is that many teacher;s feel more comfortable staying away from it. I have several online classes. They are extremely impersonal and unfortunately very boring. When learning is fun, students get more out of it no matter the learning style. I hadn't even thought of using a virtual world as a platform for teaching. The thought of creating one's own avatar and hanging out with the class in a virual world is so exciting. Not only can a person be in the comfort of their own home and feel free to participate without embarassment, but in a way, people can look at each other and communicate almost exactly as though they are a person with hand gestures, etc. I understand what koalex is saying about the "not having too much fun" but it is of utmost importance that a balance be held. Technology can be used to enhance any sunject these days, and people need to take advantage of it!
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