Learning Technologies Past, Present & Future

AusWeb 2004

Murray W. Goldberg

Silicon Chalk, Founder WebCT, Adjunct Prof. UBC

Learning TechnologiesTechnologies Past, Present & Future

• This is a very exciting time to be in education. So much

is changing - So much to do!

• More changed in ed. during last 7 years than during

previous thousand (Unfair? No!)

• At a turning point – one which will be remembered

• Seen much change already, but are only at the

beginning!

Let’s look at some of these changes: • Where did WebCT come from? • Where we are now?• Where might we be going with ed tech …

Revelation #1Revelation #1

If you are a faculty member and you can think of something

entertaining to do, someone will give you money and time to do it!

Revelation #2Revelation #2

If someone else agrees that what you are doing is fun, they

will help you do it!

Revelation #3Revelation #3

Sometimes when you try something, it works!!!

Revelation #4Revelation #4

If the entertaining thing you thought of works, someone will give you more money to try it

again!

Revelation #5Revelation #5

People are never really interested in what you think

they will be interested in!

Revelation #6Revelation #6

Supporting users of your grant-funded software is an

inappropriate use of grant funding!

Revelation #7Revelation #7

Universities can sometimes move more quickly than

continental drift!

(or … some universities “get it” more than others)

Revelation #8Revelation #8

You can screw up royally and, if you are lucky, people will still

love you!

Revelation #9Revelation #9

Despite anything you (inadvertently) do to try and kill it, sometimes a company will continue to grow despite you!

Revelation #10Revelation #10

Learning Technologies are Here to Stay

Learning Technologies – the PresentLearning Technologies – the Present• Educational technologies are everywhere. WebCT

alone:– 10,000,000 students

– At 2600+ institutions (mostly HE but also 6-12)

– In over 80 countries

• In North America, over 80% of HE institutions use CMS• Standardizing: 38% WebCT, 26% BB, 25% > 1• Growth continues, faculty rely on these systems• CMS systems now considered “mission critical”

Learning Technologies – the PresentLearning Technologies – the Present

• People are talking and thinking more about them:

– “Integrating technology into instruction” top IT issue

– As of 2002, 22 national publications with focus on ed.

tech.

– T.H.E. conference listing 360 ed. tech. conferences

Learning Technologies – the PresentLearning Technologies – the Present

• Seeing real results – mission critical:– Addition of technology can improve outcomes– Addition of technology can increase inclusivity– Addition of technology can improve community– Addition of technology can improve experience,

satisfaction– Addition of technology can improve access

Outcomes: Web based equal to lecture based.Combined group performed significantly better

Inclusivity: 55% comfortable in class,75% comfortable in BB89% comfortable in at least one of two.

Community: Originally thought BB would be S/IStudents support others, strong community formed65% - 85% of students felt stronger community

Students demand these technologies now.Far most satisfied group was combined group.94% said web resource improved experience.

Access: Brings education to the student.Improves flexibility.Needed more now than ever.

Learning Technologies – the PresentLearning Technologies – the Present• Not just CMS – also other technologies:• Wireless

– In 2003 50% of all laptops had integrated wireless– In 2004 100% will have integrated wireless– Wireless at 80% of institutions

• Mobile computing– Most HE students have computers, > 80% in 2002.– More students are buying laptops (about half of 2002

student computer purchases were laptops)– Some institutions requiring ownership (> 10% in N.A.)

So where are we going with Learning Technologies?What does the future hold?

Let’s take a peek …

The Future: Telepresence!The Future: Telepresence!“to make user fully present in every sense at a

physically remote site”• Imagine the implications for distance education!

• Moving in that direction with A/V conferencing

• Much further ahead in research labs:

– NIME: 5-sided room

– TTRG: remote controlled camera demo

• But no need to wait for telepresence for remote collab.

The Future: Hybrid LearningThe Future: Hybrid Learning

• Networks increasingly used for synchronous collaboration

• Why not apply this to education? We can!

• With targeted commun. & collab. tools, remote networked students can participate meaningfully in live experiences!

• Remote students able to follow & be full contributors

• Notion of distance vs. present begins to fade

• Helps ease move toward hybrid learning environments

The Future: Ed Tech Will be UbiquitousThe Future: Ed Tech Will be Ubiquitous

• … IT will be everywhere! … IT will be ubiquitous throughout education

• For first time ever students now (or will soon) have wireless networked mobile devices

• I believe we are at a turning point. In a small number of years it will be unthinkable to enter any educational experience without a computer (laptop, tablet, PDA …)

• This is going to drive ed. tech. in a new (previously impossible) direction – the classroom!

What Does it Mean for the Classroom?What Does it Mean for the Classroom?• Classroom no longer defined by chairs & 4 walls, but by

our learning community interactions (where and when ever they occur)

• Computers will enhance & extend classroom• Classroom connected to other aspects of learning

1. Improve presentation, communication, collaboration & feedback in the face to face classroom

2. Make a complete recording of learning sessions so students have persistent learning asset

3. Make that classroom experience available to physically distant students

The Future: Sooner Than We Think?The Future: Sooner Than We Think?1. Improve presentation, communication, collaboration &

feedback in the face to face classroom:– Presentations beamed live to all participants– Students can take notes and make annotations– Polling & questions– Feedback on pace & clarity– Quizzing– Exercises and collaboration

The Future: Sooner Than We Think?The Future: Sooner Than We Think?2. Make complete, searchable, interactive recording of

learning sessions.

– Students no longer need to transcribe experience

– Includes audio, presentation, notes & all interaction

– Creates permanent learning asset w/ search & navigation

– Almost live - students refine & interact (notes, questions, exercises, quizzes, polls, etc)

The Future: Sooner Than We Think?The Future: Sooner Than We Think?3. Make the classroom experience available to physically

distant students:– Remote students can participate as though present– Can follow presentation, interact, respond, question,

provide feedback, perform exercises, etc.– Creates distance course from every existing lecture

course– Allows seamless move to hybrid delivery

The Future: Sooner Than We Think?The Future: Sooner Than We Think?• Today! The laptop, with wireless poised to become central

educational resource:– Mobile access to web based resources such as WebCT– Provides access to publisher material (textbooks)– Communication, collaboration & learning in the classroom– Searchable access to all the notes taken by the student– Provides a searchable, live archive of every learning

experience ever attended by the student– Provides remote access to courses for distance students

The Future: Sooner Than We Think?The Future: Sooner Than We Think?• Today! Educational technology can touch every

educational context and experience

– In class

– Seminar groups

– Individual study

– Asynchronous and synchronous distance learning

• How long until all students have mobile computing devices and use them in every educational experience?

Technology is a wonderful tool, but let’s keep our perspective about the future …

But What is Future Really About?But What is Future Really About?• Not about technology – about learning! your students!• It’s about how we use tech & other tools• Tech doesn’t inspire students – you do!• Tech doesn’t change edu. – you change edu• Tech not a solution, it’s a tool – provides faculty &

students with flexibility & opportunity• Future is about this community effort – of faculty, IT

professionals, instructional support professionals, students … - tiny supportive, collaborative, collegial community of millions of people who care about education

And What’s This “Tiny” Community And What’s This “Tiny” Community Accomplished in 6 Short Years?Accomplished in 6 Short Years?

• We now know:

– That Ed Tech will enable some to be educated who might not otherwise have the chance

– That students who use Ed Tech in the education can have better experiential and academic outcomes

– That students with improved access or outcomes are more likely to reach their personal intellectual potential and therefore will be more productive and positive contributors to society

How Important is all This?How Important is all This?• Therefore you’ll agree:

– That your efforts with appropriate technology will result in more effective scientists, doctors, lawyers … and teachers!

– Your work will have a huge effect because it is societal

– Your work will have a global effect because it is world-wide

– Your work will have a lasting effect because it is cumulative

Your work is changing the world! You deserve congratulations.

Thank You!Thank You!Murray W. Goldberg

www.silicon-chalk.com

www.webct.com

goldberg@silicon-chalk.com