online readiness

As part of the lesson this week, learner readiness for online learning.

• Penn State University: Online Readiness Assessment
• San Diego Community College: Online Learning Readiness Assessment
• Illinois Online Network: Self Evaluation for Potential Online Students
• University of Houston: Test of Online Learning Success  

Are some of the tools that were investigated to check whether the learner is ready for online learning.
It is interesting to learn about the areas that were investigated. The ability to use computers, ability to use time, organisation skills and ability to make mistakes and learn.

One of the main things with new technology and new methods such as online learning is, that you need to have people who are willing to experiment the idea of trialing and learning from the mistakes that they make,

More than checking whether the learner and teacher are ready, this exercise has generated new interest in checking how innovative can we be with this learning environment.

Learning theories

A mind map of a learning theories

This is an interesting Cmap (mind mapping tool called Cmap- Concept Map) that has been created with different learning theories and summary of the different learning theory. This cmap provides the key concept, thew learning paradigm, learning theories, and scientific discipline. This is a very concise summary of many learning theories.

Adding voice comments to a document

Adding a voice comment is a great way to provide personalised comments.




With Google docs, it is possible to provide audio comments free.

As shown by Jennifer Roberts in the above video, it is as simple as using an app to add audio comments. They can be edited, re-recorded and deleted.

Features:
Add audio to a documents
Edit and delete an audio comments
The comments are saved and attached to the documents
The audio comments can be shared


Limitations:
You need to have a Google account
The documents are linked through Google docs

B F Skinner Teaching machine and programmed learning

Teaching machine!
The important facts about the teaching and teaching machine:
1. The students can learn at the most effective speed, slow, fast or medium
2. The students are provided with a report about the speed that they carry out their tasks
3. Creates an environment for the learners to continue to learn
4. Allow students to go through learning resources and go through them without feeling left behind or feeling demotivated to do the same again and again, compared to asking the same question in a classroom environment.

The initial idea of a computer for education, it is fascinating to read through a psychologist, educators point of view. However, now this teaching machine that we have today- the computer sometimes considered as a distraction rather than a motivator.

The teaching machine has been around for some time now and it has been used for various purposes from distance learning, accessibility and generating the love for learning

E-Learning Helen Keegan

Helen is discussing about how chaotic it can get with different tools that we start using.



I think after all most of these tools are allowing people to be connected without any boundaries. Therefore many people with different ideas, capabilities around the world. Social media has taken us to a new environment, while it allows positive connections it has developed a new environment that we are still getting used to.

Hi-tech tools for dental students

This is a resource developed for dental faculty.

 It checks out how the physical emphases is on the patient, in a simulated environment. Simulated environments help people to learn in an environment that they can not create easily in the real world. This allows mastery through repeated practice, without creating too much hassle.

George Siemens on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

George Siemans is talking about the MOOCs and how people start with a great idea to research and develop concept. Sometimes these ideas get put into real use within other applications. Most of the time small ideas get turned out to be great projects.

Also, the concept of MOOCs - it not just having a great course delivered within a LMS or in a class. It is all getting to a point of making connections, sharing ideas, knowledge and skills.