etutoring for effective elearning

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e-tutoring for effective e-learning

• University of Ulster
• Monday 29 July 2002
• Dr Richard Millar
• Stephen Brown
• Jill Armstrong

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Aims

• Define e-tutoring
• Issues it raises
• Best practice
• Further guidance

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Why it is important

• Learner support implications for
• recruitment
• retention
• widening access
• accessibility

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TechLearn reports

• LeTTOL
• OTiS
• OU

• Reports
• Briefings
• Workshops
• Web site

http//www.techlearn.ac.uk/Themes/E-Tutoring.htm
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GC/ALT Starter Guides

• Using the WWW in Learning and Teaching
• Mercè Rius-Riu
• Virtual Learning Environments
• Ros OLeary
• Using CAA to Support Student Learning
• Jane Seale
• Computer-mediated Conferencing
• Erica McAteer and Rachel Harris
• http//www.ltsn.ac.uk/genericcentre/projects/elear
  ning/ict.asp

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Programme

• Programme A
• 10.15 Developing E-tutor skills Helen Beetham
• 11.35 Curriculum Design for E-learning Christina
  Oliver
• 12.55 Lunch
• 2.00 Managing online learners and learning Clive
  Young Wendy David
• 3.20 Discussion panel and feedback

• Programme B
• 10.15 Managing online learners and learning
  Clive Young Wendy David
• 11.35 Developing E-tutor skills Helen Beetham
• 12.55 Lunch
• 2.00 Curriculum Design for E-learning Christina
  Oliver
• 3.20 Discussion panel and feedback

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Issues

• Course design
• Tutor role
• Workload
• Group size
• Task complexity
• Staff support

• Quality
• Cost
• Technical
• Recruitment Training
• Wider issues

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Course design

• Challenge and support of tutors
• Contact with thoughts and work of others
• Fun and companionship of working together

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Tutor role
Sage on the stage...

• Content facilitator
• Process facilitator
• Adviser/counsellor
• Assessor

• Manager/administrator
• Designer
• Researcher
• Technologist

.. guide on the side
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Workload

• Specify requirements
• Allow extra time
• Reduce off-line activity
• Be explicit about online availability

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Group size

• No right size
• Match size to function

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Task complexity

• Multiple threads
• Interconnected
• Multiple participants

• Tracking
• Responding
• Discomfort
• Anxiety

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Staff support

• Access to vital information
• Communicate easily
• Active mentoring
• HS support
• CPD
• Technical support

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Quality

• Remoteness of learners
• Internet medium
• International access

• Plagiarism
• Accreditation
• Transferability
• Certification
• Cross cultural issues

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Cost

• Role clarity
• Staff/student ratio
• Explicit expectations
• Training
• ICT support systems
• DIY resources
• Recycle
• Economies of scale

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Technical

• VLEs
• MLEs

• Curriculum chunks
• Track students
• Access to resources
• Online tutor support
• Peer group support
• email, conferencing, web access
• MIS

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Recruitment Training

• Unusual
• Not just techy skills

• Subject knowledge
• Course knowledge
• Enthusiasm
• Value diversity
• Good relationships
• Communication skills
• Technical competence
• Flexibility

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Wider issues

• Collaborative courses (public and private sector)
  
• Changing power of the learner to choose courses
  from different institutions, and non-course
  learning from the increasing possibilities of the
  web
• Emerging technologies IP based
  videoconferencing, broadband wireless
  communications, PDAs
• Online learning from school level onwards

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Further information

• LeTTOL
• OTiS
• TechLearn

• Http//www.sheffcol.ac.uk/lettol
• http//otis.scotcit.ac.uk
• http//www.technologiescentre.ac.uk
• http//www.techlearn.ac.uk/Themes/E-Tutoring.htm