LESSONS e-LEARNED

Still from the presentation of Bruce Dixon, The 1:1 Computing Paradigm


MORE DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN BETTER

“Over the past 10 years, ninety nine percent of our schools have been connected to the internet with a 5:1 student to computer ratio. Yet, we have not realized the promise of technology in education.” – US Department of Education, National Educational Technology Plan 2004

A very painful lesson to learn for the US and one that all other countries should always consider. Having more computers is always good but it cannot automatically translate to more learning. It is ECAT, or Effective Computer Access Time and not the ratio that will make a great bearing on learning. The amount of time students have access to technology must be monitored and increased. His advocacy for laptops, where one can be assigned to a student will contribute much to harnessing technology's potential for learning. Rather than having desktops in the laboratories, and having a limited amount of time per student, he argues that the school will be better off assigning a laptop for a term, a month or a period of time. If a learner can bring it hime with him, the ECAT greatly increases. And so will learning.



With the $100 dollar laptop, his view had great merit.



TECHNOLOGY OFFERS LITTLE ON ITS OWN



He quotes Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth, Professors in Learning Technologies, Harvard Graduate School of Education:

“Classroom computers that are acquired as panaceas end up as doorstops. Information technology is a cost-effective investment only in the context of systemic reform. Unless other simultaneous innovations in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, and school organization are coupled to the usage of instructional technology, the time and effort expended on implementing these devices produces few improvements in educational outcomes—and reinforces many educators’ cynicism about fads based on magical machines.”

It is not how fancy your graphics or software are. It's not how powerful your computer is. Will it help in the learning process?



BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ON THE WHY

Some institutions join the eLearning and technology bandwagon without a clear vision why. A clueless management team decides to embark on using technology because it is the in thing, or the competition has one-is bound to fail because of lack of vision.

A clear answer to the question “Why are we doing this?” should be clear to all.



BE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU MEAN BY DIGITAL LITERACY

“On Digital Fluency and the fluency gap:

To be truly fluent in a foreign language, you must be able to articulate a complex idea or tell an engaging story; in other words, you must be able to “make things” with language.



Analogously, being digitally fluent involves not only knowing how to use technological tools, but also knowing how to construct things of significance with those tools “

- Papert and Resnick 1995

THE LATEST IS NOT ALWAYS THE GREATEST

True. Even if upgrades and innovations come at a rapid pace, it does not mean they should be used, at least not until you evaluate and deem them necessary. Take for example the MS Word. While there have been a lot changes from Version 6 to 2003 and XP, the basics remain the same. If you know how to use the old version, it would be easy to use the latest version. If your curriculum concentrates more on the basic skill of typing and wordprocessing rather than the bells and whistles of the product, upgrading may not be necessary.



While there is merit in learning the new releases, the added costs that these upgrades entail should be taken into consideration versus the skills needed by the learner.



Regarding hardware, there can be such a thing as overkill. Though more RAM, more hard disk space, faster processor and a nicer sound and video card may seem better in general, it may not be needed. Again, the standard should be the learning needs of the students, not the fad or flavor of the season.





PRIORITY MUST ALWAYS BE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

These are notes from the slides:

The more powerful technology becomes the more indispensable good teachers are.



Technology generates a glut of information but is not pedagogically wise.



Learners must construct own meaning for deep understanding to occur.



To do this … teachers must become pedagogical design experts, (leveraging) the power of technology. •Fullan, 1998



Don’t dumb teachers down with point-and-click!!

Decision makers must recognize that before technology can be utilized properly, teacher development must be a priority. Especially in less developed nations, it is not proper to acquire computers when obviously these tools will not be used to their full capacity.



There is no substitute for a good teacher, whether she teaches with a computer or designs courses. In the end, it's just the delivery that changes.



DON’T LOWER THE BAR

- by viewing computing through school-colored glasses





AFFORDABILITY, ATTITUDE AND COMMITMENT
- building uquity not inequality

The $100 laptop

- Why go to all this trouble? "I am doing it," replied Negroponte, "because I have seen connected laptops work in schools, in villages without electricity, TV, telephone, water and, in one case, not even a road."



Why is it important for each child to have a computer? What's wrong with community-access centers?



“One does not think of community pencils—kids have their own. They are tools to think with, sufficiently inexpensive to be used for work and play, drawing, writing, and mathematics. A computer can be the same, but far more powerful. Furthermore, there are many reasons it is important for a child to "own" something—like a football, doll, or book—not the least of which being that these belongings will be well-maintained through love and care.” Nicholas Negroponte 2005

CONTENT IS NOT KING, PEDAGOGY IS; AND WE DO HAVE TO DO MORE THAN JUST DELIVER IT!

SIMPLE IS USUALLY GOOD. REALLY GOOD.


IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP

eLearning programs should have a champion. Advocates and good eLearning managers should lead the way. Implementing an eLearning program without anybody guiding it will surely result in failure.

VALUABLE ELEARNING LESSON LEARNED (Part I)

From the presentation of Bruce Dixon, The 1:1 Computing Paradigm

Of the presentations I have seen from the eLearning Policies Course from ADBi, Bruce Dixon's presentation has struck the highest chord. The lessons he presented are valuable and should be taken into consideration by any eLearning program.

Here are selected nuggets of wisdom from a man who has had extensive experience in the field. We could all pay heed to what he has to offer if we are to succeed in implementing our own initiatives.

It’s all about learning

There has been a lot of discussion about the different forms and styles, and names for technology-enabled learning, such as whether it is eLearning or e-learning. He stresses that semantics is not the issue here. There are those who want pure open-source while others argue against this idea. What platform and software should be used. There are many issues , but one thing remains. It is, and always will be, about learning.

Laptop not desktops, for more effective use.

Mr. Dixon encourages schools to equip student with laptops rather than desktops. Points for this argument expounded later.

What matters and what doesn’t?

He challenges our thinking on what really matters most. For example, is a CD/DVD drive really essential? He points out that many of these resources just wind up for playing non-school-related games. Then he makes a case for a digital camera. It can be used to capture data and easily transfer it to the computer.

Re-imagining the business of schooling

What if we start seriously considering using technology to run schools better? I think he just doesn't mean using them in the offices such as accounting and administration. Using them in the classroom as more cost efficient tools just as corporations use them to increase productivity.

The following are the lessons he outlined from the 1:1 computing programs he has been involved with.

eLearning: Benefits, Constraints and other Views

In the eLearning Policies Course I am currently taking at ADBi, Vincent Quah of Microsoft Corporation discusses some eLearning basics.

First, he puts in perspective what eLearning is:

E-learning is learning experiences that are delivered to remote locations through the use of technology and real time collaboration. E-learning is not about posting contents on the web but there must be engagements and interaction between learners and contents. The function of e-learning is to empower educators and learners to express their ideas easily, interact with others, explore and discover the world, manage the learning process, and finally assess its quality and quantity.

A good definition. Unfortunately, many miss the point of eLearning which is LEARNING. The focus on the technology and infrastructure aspects are important but they are not the only factors to consider. They are critical, yes, but at the end of the day the question that should be answered is: DID (OR WILL) THE STUDENT LEARN?

A good eLearning course or program should be interactive and engaging, empowering, paraphrasing Mr. Quah. And he is right. One of the key issues that one should always keep in mind is that learners learn in different ways and value different things.

One person may like visuals, movies, graphs, maps, colors, illustrations. Just like in the classroom, visual aids enhance the learning experience.

About two years ago, I was introduced to the world of audio books and podcasting. Instead of music in my mp3 player, I had stories and lectures and conversations. And learn I did. Sound is also a compelling add-on, especially for people on the move.

Another one might like asking questions and having a person to converse with. Some students find it easy to learn with their classmates while still others would rather learn alone.

So can eLearning answer all of a learner’s needs? Is it the panacea to education?

No.

eLearning should not be viewed as the be all and end all of learning. Just as traditional classroom, laboratory or on-on-one learning methods are tools, so is eLearning. Think of it as this: what email is to traditional post, so is eLearning to traditional teaching-learning methods.

But at the very least, it is a solution to many problems education has like lack of teachers, classrooms, opportunities, etc. Up to a certain degree, we can call it the next best thing to learning since the Gutenberg press.

Mr. Quah also outlined

The benefits:

• supplements/complements learning
• frees precious time
• provide fundamental grounding and mass training
• geographically unlimited access.

There are advantages to eLearning: Not limited by time or location and can be given to more people. Faster, farther, more consistency and choices, better quantity and quality.

I think of the farmers' children who help till the land during the day who can benefit from eLearning at night. Or the adults who would like to improve their lot but are bogged down during the day with work. Of the helpers and drivers and service providers who would like to learn a new skill. With eLearning, they can.

However, not is all rosy. As simple as it may seem, there are a lot of things to consider with an eLearning program.

Again, Vincent tells us the

Constraints of eLearning:

• learner management
• content creation and delivery
• administration management system

Of the three, content creation and delivery I think is more important from the learner's point of view. It's still all about the learning (although, management and administration are key to a systematic approach to any program).

Key problems in e-learning:

• lack of personal touch
• control
• supporting infrastructure
• access
• frequent changes in the role of instructors

Many people I know always cite the lack of a teacher to talk with as the number one problem of eLearning. We have been used to having someone in front teaching us that the idea of not having one frightens many.

I agree that personal touch CAN BE very important but it may not always be necessary. Admittedly, this concern is valid and should be addressed but it doesn’t mean eLearning is not an effective learning tool. I believe there are more ways than one to scale this fish. For many, it is a matter of perspective, of attitude or sufficient motivation. For some, it’s a non-issue at all. Still others, they only have to try it and they’ll get hooked.

When I first started with eLearning, I was bored to my wits. It was DOS-based, text with little or no animation, no audio much less, video. Did I learn? Yes, thought retention is minimal at best. Did I enjoy it? Not really. (I think enjoyment and interest are key ingredients to learning along with the right mindset, desire and motivation).

Enter the new generation of audio, video, animation and interaction.

I work full time and am engaged in several activities. Time is of the essence for me. I would rather learn by myself with a computer and not be nailed down to a specific place and time. I like the freedom to learn what I want, when I want it and where I want it. If you can give me the choice of “how” I want it delivered and if you I can “have fries with that”, that would be superb.

Control issues and role changes speak of administration and training. They may be talking points but they have solutions. I believe that the combined eLearning experiences of many is a great resource for these and what ADBi is doing with eLearning Policies Course is a step forward. These are things a good project manager can handle. It’s just a matter of evaluating what’s best for a program. It’s not as if you are going to look for the cure for cancer.

The bigger concern is infrastructure for a lot of developing countries. But with the $100 Laptop from MIT, Free and Open Source Software and the continuously decreasing price of hardware and connectivity costs, I am confident that a connected world is just near the horizon.

Implementation considerations

• training for instructors and users
• launching pilot phases
• developing clear defined deliverables
• goals and objectives
• providing communication lines

eLearning is not a field of dreams where you just build it and they’ll come. eLearning is for the most part a change management issue. It is a new way of doing things, of learning. As with any change, there will be resistance. How this resistance is faced and dealt with is no simple task but it is not impossible either. When the computer was first introduced, the majority of people brushed it aside. Now, it seems that we can’t get enough of them. I can’t (no, I don’t want to) imagine life without a computer.

Making eLearning work takes a lot of planning and thinking. All stakeholders should be given assurance of their role and that they will clearly benefit from it.

There is no better time than now to give eLearning a try.

Will you?

Taking IT to the Next Level: The Team Approach to e-Learning Program Development

Philippine eLearning Society (PeLS) holds a two-day conference titled:

"Taking IT to the Next Level: The Team Approach to e-Learning Program Development".

Date: November 28-29, 2006
Venue: NCC, C P Garcia Avenue, Quezon City

Below is the list of topics that will be discussed in the conference:

• National ICT competency standards for teachers
• Trends in elearning in Philippine schools
• International trends in elearning
• Courseware assessment and other tools for evaluating elearning practice
• Pitfalls in elearning practice (and how to overcome them)
• Best Practices in elearning – (including SCORM)
• Charting school policy directions for eLearning
• Planning for teacher professional development
• Support services for e-learners
• A Philippine eLearning industry?
• Managing eLearning projects
• An overview of learning management systems
• Integrating educational software (courseware) into
• the curriculum
• Cheap PCs
• A roadmap for elearning (workshop and consultations)
• Presentation of plans
• Synthesis and planning

The registration fee is Php 1,500 per participant to non-members and Php 1,200 for the early birds. All PeLS members will be given a discounted rate of Php 1,000 and Php 800.00 for early birds.

For confirmation and other inquiries, you may contact Mr. Nijel Ratonel or Ms. Mary Grace Simplina, at telephone nos: (02) 893-8501 loc 258/ (02) 812-2286.

This seminar is sure to benefit school administrators, subject teachers, and IT educators. We hope to see you
there!


Concept

This conference targets schools and universities which aim to setup or improve their elearning operations and services. Institutions will be encouraged to send a team composed of teachers, administrators and ICT personnel.

A great majority of educational institutions, even in the private sector, have little or no involvement at all in e-Learning. This year's National e-Learning Conference aims to address some basic concerns in increasing awareness of the benefits of e-Learning and most importantly, creating a road map towards its actual implementation.

The goals of the conference are to:

• Validate the need to use accessible, appropriate,responsive and effective educational technologies, and discuss current practices
• Encourage the adoption of a team approach to the development of an elearning system
• Provide a framework for developing action plans for initiating and implementing workable elearning systems
• Enable exchange of experiences among e-Learning practitioners and advocates

Call for Papers

The Philippine eLearning Society invites paper presentations on the topics listed in the program. Paper presentations may be in the form of case studies, project profiles, action research reports,
and critiques/analyses of existing national or institutional policies and programs. The organizers expect presenters to emphasize the need for a team approach in planning for, developing, implementing and evaluating elearning programs and projects.

Abstracts must be 300-400 words in length, in .doc or .rtf format.

Email abstracts to pelsconferencepapers@gmail.com before October 30, 2006. Authors whose papers will be selected for presentation should submit full papers and/or presentation slides by November 10, 2006, for inclusion in the conference CD.


Please visit http://www.elearning.ph

Invitation: http://www.elearning.ph/2006/Invite_5th_eLearningConf.doc

Program: http://www.elearning.ph/2006/5th_eLearningConf_Program.doc

(Note: People in the Pacific.Net network have problems seeing the new site, so if you are affected by this problem, please email us for your copy of the documents.)

UP Open University Offerings

From Dr. Lolit Suplido-Westergaard:

UP Open University is offering the following seminars:

Distance Education for Managers (October 10-12 , 2006)
Student Support in Distance Education (October 18-20 , 2006)
Materials Development for Distance Education (October 23-25, 2006)

For more information, please visit http://www.upou.org/news/News2006/seminar_series.html

I'm also happy to announce that our program, Master of Distance Education, has finally been approved by the UP Board of Regents. It will start in June of 2007, next school year. Application forms should be in by February. Information about the MDE (including curriculum and brochure) can be found at: http://www.upou.org/news/News2006/MDEprog.html. The application forms can be downloaded at: http://www.upou.org/admission/requirements.htm