I used various tools from Group 1 to Group 4 for
teaching and learning in classroom in the past six weeks. The
tools involved the use of blogs, wikis, images, PowerPoint presentations,
glogsters, google earth and many others to support E-learning. I learnt that
appropriate scaffolding is important and the SAMR model can be used in
E-learning. E-learning is ‘an innovative method for delivering a facilitated
learning environment, which is characterised by good design, interactivity and centred
on the learner, to any individual anywhere and at any time, by taking advantage
of the properties available in many digital technologies with suitable learning
materials for open and flexible learning environments’ Khan (2005) .
E-learning provides
interactive features in the learning process, i.e., the ability to interact
beyond the one-way knowledge transfer of content between the teacher and the
student. In such an environment, learners can interact with the content and
educational resources (the use of wikis), with the teacher and other peers. I
found E-learning very interactive because in week 2 we used the de Bono’s six
thinking hats as a scaffold to discuss the use mobile phones in classrooms. I
posted my views on a wiki and I could access my peers’ views too. E-learning transforms learning concepts,
including: a transition from teacher- centred to learner-centred approaches,
from the content to the process, from content- oriented to task-oriented, from
individual effort to team effort, from printed materials to multimedia (this
represents Substitution in the SAMR model) and from focusing on the facts to
focusing on the problems. I noted that E-learning may include many patterns,
such as face-to-face (the use of PowerPoint for presentation), distance
learning (use of blogs or wikis) or a mixed education model.
Learning theories can
provide explicit guidance for e-learning design, on how to help students to
learn. Furthermore, theories of learning also offer a set of rules or
guidelines that can be used for making decisions when designing learning
activities (CQUniversity Australia, 2012).
Cognitive theory
focusses on non- observed behaviour and on processes and concepts, such as
attention, perception, motivation, the transfer of learning and individual
differences between learners. The de
Bono’s six hats of thinking demonstrated the Cognitive learning theory.
Cognitivism involves the brain and mental processing.
Constructive learning theory emphasises that the learning environment
presents situations and experiences related to learning, information sources,
knowledge tools, communication tools and scaffolding that helps students to
acquire an integrated set of cognitive skills
(CQUniversity Australia 2012). In week 4 I used images for teaching science and students were to develop
projects as groups and answer certain questions using images. I noted that the
use of images supported the Social Constructivist Learning Theory.
The use of technology
and the TPACK framework for learning supports the Connectivism learning theory.
As a teacher I learnt that I can benefit from the principles of all the various
learning theories in order to achieve the learning objectives, meet the needs
of learners and take into account the characteristics of the knowledge to be
acquired. Decision-making when designing a lesson for E-learning must be based
on a good understanding of learning and how it occurs, and knowing the factors
that lead to successful learning (Clark, 2002). The integration of learning theories in
practice is a vital factor for the successful management of an E-learning
environment.
I noted that failure to
take the right principles into account in the instructional design stage in E-
learning will minimise the effectiveness of information processing and
learning. It is not just the delivery method that leads to learning, but
designing teaching methodologies that can make all the difference; for example,
teaching methods, strategies, tools and ways for delivering information in new
styles to enhance learning, which might happen through the use of examples,
providing opportunities for contribution for instance using wikis in classrooms
allows participation by students. (Clark, 2002).
With E-learning there
is need for scaffolding at the beginning or introduction of a topic, this
scaffolding works as a structural support for knowledge, which enables learners
to comfortably build up new knowledge and experience. I learnt that when
designing the tools to use in E-learning, it is important to offer learners
support and, at the same time, encourage self- learning. Teaching methods must
enhance learning and motivate learners. The concept of scaffolding refers to
the support function of the teacher for the learner for instance the use of
images and glogsters can motivate the students to learn.
It is more likely that
learning objectives will be achieved when learners are given the chance to
learn new information actively. This requires providing activities that involve
learners in frequent interactions and active learning, and providing real
opportunities to apply new skills. Similar to other types of instructional
design, the creation of effective E-learning depends on presenting students
with tasks and learning activities that enable them to conduct experiments,
leading them to a new understanding of the learning required and providing
active participation in making choices about the tasks the students face in
their learning. For ethical and safe legal practises I would ensure that my
students are aware of these copyright issues and I would urge students to
reference any information images that may breach any legal conditions. My
students will be aware of ethical, legal and safe guidelines. In
conclusion E-learning is important because the students are now exposed to
various global technological advancements.
Reference
Afifi, M. K., & Alamri, S. S. (2014). Effective Principles In Designing
E-Course In Light of Learning Theories. Turkish Online Journal Of Distance
Education (TOJDE), 15(1), 128-142
Clark, R. C. (2002, September 10). Six principles of effective e-learning:
What works and why. Learning Solutions
CQUniversity
Australia. (2012). EDED20491- ICTs for learning design:
online study guide. Retrieved from
Khan, B. H. (2005). Managing E - learning: Design, delivery, implementation
and evaluation. London, Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing.
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