Communication technologies and society – 2

Wikis give users, with even basic web browsing knowledge the possibility to add content to the Internet. Moreover multiple users may add or edit the same content thus collaborating towards a common goal. Certain Wikis (like OU wikis) keep a history of amendments done to the same article thus providing options which are not possible […]

Communication technologies and society – 1

Weller (2006), ‘The distance from isolation: why communities are the logical conclusion in e-learning’.’In this article Weller argues that the internet has technological features of openness, robustness and decentralisation, and these are also its social values. These values are evident in the adoption of popular internet applications.’ Interesting how the author uses inexact networking terminology […]

Week 8 – activity 1 – affordance

What is affordance ? ‘An affordance is an action that an individual can potentially perform in his or her environment’ wikipedia Norman’s defines affordance : ‘affordance refers to the preceived and actual properties of the thing, primarily those fundamental properties that determine just how the thing could possibly be used.’ …thus affordance refers primarily to […]

Computers and assistive technology

Main organisation for disabled in Malta is; http://www.knpd.org/ After a mail exchange with this organisation, I have been given varios information about accessibility for Maltese students. The following extract from an email gives a glimpse to benefits available in higher education; Disabled students living in Malta can benefit from other benefits open to other disabled […]

Week 6 – list of challenging activities

Activity task: list of challenging activities Drawing on your own experience and your study of this course so far, write a list of activities that might be expected of a student on a course that has online and distance components. communicate/work with colleagues/tutor via email forum blog video conferencing chat wiki Write TMA through word […]

Week 3 – Will a potential innovation ‘fly’

This week we have gone through Rogers’ groups in adopting (or not adopting) an innovation; innovators early adopters early majority late majority laggards We have considered what the innovation’s strengths & weaknesses are by focusing on; its relative advantage Compatability Complexity Trialability Observability My mini comment: I have introduced blogging with my students to foster […]

Case studies of elearning innovation 4

Case study: The Learning Lab staff development initiative Area: Technology-enhanced LEarning Environments Institution: Swansea University Link: Swansea University, The Learning Lab staff development initiative Author: Chris Hall Background & context Learning lab was developed through an idea of providing a ‘space with useful resources about elearning for all staff’ where anyone in the community has […]

Case studies of elearning innovation 3

Case study: Moving from OMR to CBA Area: e-assessment Institution: The University of Nottingham Author: Simon Wilkinson Link: The University of Nottingham, Moving from Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) to Computer Based Assessment (CBA) for summative exams in medicine Background & context This case study focuses on the shift from OMR to CBA. This change was […]

Case studies of elearning innovation 2

Case study: Use of WebCT in a blended approach to developing multimedia Area: Technology enhanced learning environments Institution: Leeds Metropolitan University Author: Stuart Hirst Link: Leeds Metropolitan University, Use of WebCT in a blended approach to developing multimedia design skills At first, I’ve struggled to find exactly what exactly is the innovation in this case […]

Case studies of elearning innovation 1

This week we need to pick and review 4 case studies. My first choice is a case study on simulated gaming. I’ve made this choice as whilst that I heard from time to time about this idea of learning through gaming (is this what simulated gaming is?!), I do not have any experience in this […]