Best Practices: eLearning and what it means for Nettel

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Best Practices eLearning and what it means for
Nettel

• Maria A. Beebe, Ph.D.
• WSU Center to Bridge the Digital Divide

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Related terminology

• eLearning
• Distance Education
• Online Education
• Distributed Learning
• Internet Education
• Virtual Education
• Cyber-Learning
• Asynchronous Learning

• Computer-based Training
• Computer-Mediated Communication
• Computer-Assisted Instruction
• Multi-modal Instruction
• Hybrid learning

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Differentiating variables

• Time synchronous (same time), asynchronous
  (different time)
• Place same/different
• Interaction learner to computer, learner to
  teacher, learner to peers
• Use of the computer presentation, interactive,
  collaborative, generative
• Face time with or without

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eLearning

• eLearning
• the effective teaching and learning process
  created by combining appropriate digital content
  with local community and tutor support along with
  global community engagement

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Institutional requirements for Quality Online
Education

• Institutional support
• Course development
• Teaching/learning
• Course structure
• Student support
• Faculty support
• Evaluation and assessment

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Peers
Learner(s)
Student
Best practices Learning/Teaching with the Net
Technology
Teacher(s)
Content
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Best practice Away from teacher centered
to learner centered
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Best practice use IT to advance the seven
principles of good practice

• Encourage contacts between students and faculty
• Develop reciprocity and cooperation among
  students
• Use active learning techniques
• Give prompt feedback
• Emphasize time on task
• Communicate high expectations
• Respect diverse talents and ways of learning

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Best practice facilitate different approaches
to learning

• E-lectures, eLibrary
• Ask an expert
• Mentorship
• Tutor support
• Access to network resources
• Informal peer interaction
• Structured group activity

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Best practiceStructure group activities

• Seminars
• Small group discussions
• Dyads or learning pairs
• Work groups and learning circles
• Team presentations
• Simulations or role plays
• Debating teams

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Best practiceinteract with community of learners

• Get into class conference
• and obtain materials
• Enter new comments or replies to
• existing comments
• Edit or modify already written items
• Send private messages to the facilitator and
  other students
• Find other conference or discussion activities
  related to the topic
• Set up private discussions for a small WG

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Best practice use qualities of Quality Courses
on the Internet

• Explicit course content
• Interactivity one to one (email), one to many
  (email), many to many (discussion forums)
• Collaborative
• Knowledge generation
• Balance between face time and virtual interaction

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Best practice be explicit with Content of
courses online

• Course information
• Goals and objectives
• Policies and procedures (grading, assessment)
• Required texts
• Web links
• Announcements
• Schedule
• Help

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Nettel courses

• Syllabus
• Course objectives
• Modules (each module has the ff)
• Learning outcomes
• eLecture, plus online reading materials
• Learning activities (online and offline)
• Assessment

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Nettel

• Mixed mode
• Face to face
• Online KEWL
• Student Information Center
• Faculty Resource Center

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Conclusion technology is only a tool - it is not
a magic bullet

• Nettel lecturers must
• know about the available technologies (Kewl,
  KewlNextGen, CDs, etc)
• develop competency, and
• integrate IT into the established curriculum,
  where it makes good sense (balance face to face
  with online interaction).

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Ideal - 100 of Nettel students are able to say

• I enjoyed learning TR510 because it has enabled
  me to learn much about technology, eGovernance,
  eBusiness and eLearning. I have now gained much
  insight which I hope they will be useful in my
  work and life. Meanwhile, I am eager to take part
  in enhancing the use of technology for
  development in my country and in Africa
  generally. eLearning has been challenging and
  very demanding to discipline and dedication and
  is a very new concept to me. I thank you
  personally for your comments and guidance. To
  your team I appreciate the level of concern and
  dedication to learning.
• Charles Mwakalinga
• UDSM