e-Education: Transformation through Virtual Learning Environments

Dr Speranza Ndege,Commissioner, Broadband Commission for

Digital Development&

Director, Institute of Open, Distance & e-Learning,

Kenyatta University, Kenya

ITU FORUM, KIGALI 9-11, MAY 2012

Australian Flexible Learning Framework Australian Flexible Learning Framework (TVET)(TVET)

Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University

Capilano UniversityCapilano University

China Open Resources for EducationChina Open Resources for Education

College of Eastern UtahCollege of Eastern Utah

Commonwealth of Learning (COL)Commonwealth of Learning (COL)

ConnexionsConnexions

CurrikiCurriki

Dixie State College of UtahDixie State College of Utah

Food Security Information for ActionFood Security Information for Action

Glasgow University (Podcats)Glasgow University (Podcats)

HippoCampuHippoCampu

ILearning Resource Exchange for SchoolsILearning Resource Exchange for Schools

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University

National Repository of Online CoursesNational Repository of Online Courses

OER AfricaOER Africa

Yale UniversityYale University

Kyung Hee University, Korea.Kyung Hee University, Korea.

Delft Univeristy of Technology, The Netherlands.Delft Univeristy of Technology, The Netherlands.

University of the Western Cape, South Africa.University of the Western Cape, South Africa.John Hopkins School of Public HealthJohn Hopkins School of Public Health

Kaplan Higher EducationKaplan Higher Education

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (Small Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (Small Business Development CenterBusiness Development Center

OERCommonsOERCommons

OpenLearn (The Open University UK)OpenLearn (The Open University UK)

Open Training (UNESCO)Open Training (UNESCO)

Open University of Catalonia, SpainOpen University of Catalonia, Spain

Stanford university (iTunes)Stanford university (iTunes)

TU Delft UniversityTU Delft University

Tufts UniversityTufts University

United Nations UniversityUnited Nations University

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley

University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Irvine

University of Massachusetts, BostonUniversity of Massachusetts, Boston

University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan

University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame

University of NottinghamUniversity of Nottingham

University of Southern Queensland, Australia.University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Capilano University, Canada.Capilano University, Canada.

China Open Resources for Education, ChinaChina Open Resources for Education, China

The Open University of Hong Kong, China.The Open University of Hong Kong, China.

Kyoto Unversity, Japan. Nagoya University, Kyoto Unversity, Japan. Nagoya University, Japan.Japan.

Osaka University, Japan.Osaka University, Japan.

The University of Tokyo, Japan.The University of Tokyo, Japan.

United Nations University, Japan.United Nations University, Japan.

Utah Valley State CollegeUtah Valley State College

Weber State UniversityWeber State University

University of Southern QueenslandUniversity of Southern Queensland

University of the Western CapeUniversity of the Western Cape

Utah State UniversityUtah State University

Open University of Catalonia, SpainOpen University of Catalonia, Spain

Middle East Technical University, Turkey.Middle East Technical University, Turkey.

The Open University, UK.The Open University, UK.

The University of Nottingham, UK.The University of Nottingham, UK.

College of Eastern Utah, USA.College of Eastern Utah, USA.

Dixie State College of Utah, USA.Dixie State College of Utah, USA.

John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.Health, USA.

Kaplan Higher Education, USA.Kaplan Higher Education, USA.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

Michigan State University, USA.Michigan State University, USA.

National Repository of Online Courses, USA.National Repository of Online Courses, USA.

Tufts University, USA.Tufts University, USA.

University of California, Irvine, USA.University of California, Irvine, USA.

University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA.University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA.

University of Notre Dame, USA.University of Notre Dame, USA.

Utah State University, USA.Utah State University, USA.

Weber State University, USA.Weber State University, USA.

Western Governors University, USA.Western Governors University, USA.

Yale University, USA.Yale University, USA.

Western Governors UniversityWestern Governors University

WikiEducatorWikiEducator

FreeFree

Open Access Distance Education JournalsOpen Access Distance Education Journals

Over 6,000 online publicationsOver 6,000 online publications

Student Training Student Training

GAPS:GAPS:►Computer LiteracyComputer Literacy

► No exposure to Virtual EnvironmentsNo exposure to Virtual Environments

►Internet TechnologyInternet Technology

7

Students Online Learning

Visually Impaired Students using Dolphin Pen

8

The Dolphin Pen can be used by any visually challenged computer user that desires the flexibility to work on any standard PC

Completed one year ago

Student’s Computer Centre -Student’s Computer Centre - 600-Seater600-Seater

Pedagogy

‘systematized instruction or principles that promote student learning’ (Kelly, 2004)

e-Learning e-Learning is defined as “the delivery of learning with the assistance of interactive, electronic technology, whether offline or online” (Beetham, 2002).

Distance LearningDistance Learning refers to the educational activities, which interactively link two or more people at two or more locations, separated from one another by space and/or time (Rwagasana, 2003).

Definitions

Training – lecturers, students, Administrators in Comp Lit, Internet Tech,e-Platform, THEN DEVELOP CONTENT

Create awareness amongst its staff and students. Many times resistance is felt because of ignorance

ICT infrastructure –

•Network of institutions

•Increased Internet bandwidth

• Increased No. of. Computers

• purchase & set up Information Management systems admissions, finance, library, exams, e-Learning

Seek Support -Ownership – lecturers, students, parents, Admn, Govt.

Develop an e-learning Evaluation Survey tool

BASICS REQUIREMENTS OF e-EDUCATION

!. Institutional Policies: 2. Institutions require Quality Assurance measures in phases

Video-Conferencing

Telecommunication (TVs, Telephony

e-Infrastructure

12

e-Infrastructure, Broadband and information sharing

Internet Technology (computers, cell phones etc)

MDGs *Education

Virtual verse Physical Environments

E-learning

Face to face learning

Infrastructure

Teacher motivation & attitudes

Student motivation & attitudes

Quality Education

FOCUS ON QUALITY EDUCATION AS OUTPUT

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

13

Q. of programmes

Availability of materials

Student

learning

Teacher

training

Computers, mobile Technologies

Capacity building (literacy/e-Technologies)

Graphic/multimedia productions (Cdroms, DVDs etc) - Simulators

Learning Administration Systems/backend

Testing modules online

e-LearningComponents

14

e-Learning Components

VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

Computers

Motivated Students Online

Expose students to Virtual Environments

Students being trained to use virtual Environment

Training Teaching staff to use virtual Environment

Lecturers being trained to use virtual Environment

1.Learning is self-directed, allowing students to choose content and tools appropriate to their differing interests, needs, and skill levels

2.Accommodates multiple learning styles using a variety of delivery methods geared to different learners; more effective for certain learners

3. Designed around the learner

4. Geographical barriers are eliminated, opening up broader education options

Benefits of e-Learning

Benefits of e-LearningBenefits of e-Learning Learning is self-paced and gives students Learning is self-paced and gives students

a chance to speed up or slow down as a chance to speed up or slow down as necessarynecessary

24/7 accessibility makes scheduling easy 24/7 accessibility makes scheduling easy and allows a greater number of people to and allows a greater number of people to attend classesattend classes

On-demand access means learning can On-demand access means learning can happen precisely when neededhappen precisely when needed

Travel time and associated costs Travel time and associated costs (parking, fuel, vehicle maintenance) are (parking, fuel, vehicle maintenance) are reduced or eliminatedreduced or eliminated

Benefits of e-LearningBenefits of e-Learning

Overall student costs are frequently Overall student costs are frequently less (tuition, residence, food, child less (tuition, residence, food, child care)care)

Fosters greater student interaction Fosters greater student interaction and collaborationand collaboration

Fosters greater student/instructor Fosters greater student/instructor contactcontact

Enhances computer and Internet Enhances computer and Internet skillsskills

Designed by Debbie Heck, Bodil Ask, Åke Bjørke and Ng Chong

Collaborative Learning

e-experiences

e- Seminars

e-debates

e-articles/e-journals

e-Reports

e-notes

e-puzzles

e-proverbs

e-riddles

e-songs

e-stories

e-jokes

e-tongue twisters 

e-epic (chunks) 

e- pictures

e-opinions 

e-Conferencing e-research term papers

projects/term papers

Teacher

This diagram is an example of numerous activities which students engage in collaborative learning thus maintaining a high level of interactivity.

e-tasks

e-assignments

e-grading

LEARNER

 

Multimedia Objects

Lesson Plans with clear objectives

Internet Resources

Teachers’ Resources

11

8

9

Pictorials11

Digital Journals12

Symbols101

Activities3

Assignments4

Questions and quizes6

Online Tutorials5

e-Calendar7

e-Course Outlines2

INSIDE A VIRTUAL INSIDE A VIRTUAL CLASSROOMCLASSROOM

ONLINE LEARNING

CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH

MAKE STUDENTS INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER

Elephant (11)

Lion (11)

Leopard (12)

Zebra (11)

Hippo (11)

Hare (11)

Monkey (11)

Antelope (11)

Squirrel (11)

Ostrich (12)

Giraffe (11)

Warthog (11)

Organizing Students into Groups

Elephant (11) Lion (11)

Leopard (12)

Zebra (11)

Hippo (11)

Hare (11)

Monkey (11)

Antelope (11)

Squirrel (11) Ostrich

(12)

Giraffe (11)

Warthog (11)

Forum Discussion Group Chain

Rate of Interactivity among Learners

ELEPHANT

72..7%LION

81.8%

LEOPARD

91.6%

ZEBRA

72.7%

HIPPO

81.8%

HARE

90.9%

SQUIRREL

90.9%

ANTELOPE

81.8% MONKEY

81.8%%

OSTRICH

100%

GIRAFFE

90.9%

WARTHOG

100%

TUTOR IS OBSERVER

/GUIDE

RESULTS

ASSESSMENT - QUIZ

SEMESTER PRACTICALS – CONTINOUS ASSESSMENT

Zebra Group Performance Video

This is the

•Zebra Group

•The Zebras

Warthog Group Performance Video

This is the

•Warthog Group

•The Warthog

Ostrich Group Performance Video

This is the

•Ostrich Group

•The Ostrich

•The Lion

This is the

•Lion Group

Lion Group Performance Video

Hippo Group Performance Video

This is the

•Hippo Group

•The Hippo

•The Hare

Hare Group Performance Video

This is the

•Hare Group

Socio constructivism leads to Socio constructivism leads to Communities of PracticeCommunities of Practice

Create communities of practiceCreate communities of practice- Educational BlogsEducational Blogs- Discussion forums & Net meeting/chat - Discussion forums & Net meeting/chat

roomsrooms- Use wikis- Use wikis- FacebookFacebook- TwitterTwitter- Science ConnectScience Connect

Accessing the internet

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

e-Learning is now a reality in our e-Learning is now a reality in our institutionsinstitutions

We are encouraging our teaching staff to We are encouraging our teaching staff to embrace it so that we can effectively serve embrace it so that we can effectively serve our students.our students.

distance learning students and the regular distance learning students and the regular students can enrol for programmes and students can enrol for programmes and study through the e-learning more. We are study through the e-learning more. We are advocating for blended learning.advocating for blended learning.

ChallengesChallenges of virtual environments of virtual environments

Task of perfecting the infrastructure to adequately Task of perfecting the infrastructure to adequately connect all the campusesconnect all the campuses

Internet bandwidth expensive - resourcesInternet bandwidth expensive - resources Rural electrificationRural electrification Change of attitude staff, students, societyChange of attitude staff, students, society Training staff in instructional design for Training staff in instructional design for e-content developmente-content development Train staff and students on use of Moodle e-Train staff and students on use of Moodle e-

portalportal Train student/staff – computer literacyTrain student/staff – computer literacy Copyright issues – e-contentCopyright issues – e-content

THANK YOU.