Late Night Worries of Learning & Training Colleagues

By: Elliott Masie

• Miniquest - research on scenario based activity
• Webquest - as above - but larger
• Scrapbook - Wiki could be helpful with this

Tips for Developing Student Web Activities

• the expected use of e-learning has possibly been overanticipated, with less than half (47%) using more e-learning and a quarter (26%) saying they don’t use or no longer use e-learning. This is possibly because few feel it is the most effective learning and development practice (7%). 
• More than three-quarters (79%) of respondents feel e-learning is not a substitute for classroom-based learning, while the vast majority (92%) feel that e-learning demands a new attitude to learning on the part of learners.
• Almost all (95%) feel that e-learning is more effective when combined with other forms of learning.

The Becta survey of FE learners and e-learning (October 2007) has some interesting key findings that relate to students finding using computers/IT useful in their studies. However, I would say that it mainly concentrates on the e-equipment, eg VLE, mobile technologies rather than the actual e-activities. There is mention of quizzes and tutor feedback but no indepth research on actual e-learning.

The MSc in eLearning Technologies (University of Portsmouth) course that I am presently studying has been delivered entirely online. I agree that to maintain the motivational momentum over the past two years has been difficult at times (especially for a procrastinater, like me!). However, the course was well structured and I have learnt a lot, especially through the online tutors, forums and the group and individual assessments. I agree that some online courses or e-learning activities can easily be clicked through without much (if any) learning taking place.

My dissertation is on How can the College make better use of the VLE (Moodle) as a learning tool? There is a lot of evidence of Moodle being used primarily as an intranet and/or a resource repository. I would be very interested in finding out how many further education colleges are running effective/successful e-learning and/or blended learning courses? and, also, what makes the course effective/successful? 

Of course, this Facebook malarkey becomes additive - so now have searched further and found pictures of my son and girlfriend ..... drinking and kissing - oh and my nephews and their wife/girlfriend. I even found a picture of my sister - who surely doesn't know that she is on Facebook! Must get back to my research !!!