e-learning essentials - william & mary essentials scott a. langhorst, ph.d. spring 2017...

E-Learning EssentialsScott A. Langhorst, Ph.D.

Spring 2017Christopher Wren Association

1

Christopher Wren Association – Spring 2017

Scott A. Langhorst, Ph.D.

E-Learning Essentials

• Session #2 = What skills do I need? Where can I find e-learning courses?

•Any questions or comments from last week?

Today’s agenda



2

• Equipment and devices

•Computer and software skills

•Web and Internet skills• Information Literacy skills

• Netiquette

• Learning Management Systems (LMS) andVirtual Learning Environment (VLE) skills

•Common sense

E-Learning skills

• Some basic skills will suffice for most e-learning tasks

• If you already use computers and the Internet, then you are most of the way there…

• Overcoming “technical” anxiety and fear are usually the biggest hurdles to success

You don’t have to be a “geek”



3

• Fairly new desktop computer (less than 3 years old?)(3+ Ghz processor, 2+ MB RAM, 300+ MB hard drive, Windows or iOS, Ethernet connection, wireless)

• or, laptop with approximately same configurations

• Productivity software (e.g., MS-Office, word processing, spreadsheet, email, web browser)

• Reliable Internet connection from ISP (e.g., Cox Cable or Verizon FIOS)

• Helpful if computer has speakers, camera, and microphone (often, built-in)

• Cable modem and cables (and wireless router?)

• iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Nook, smartphone, etc. if you want to extend your mobility with e-learning

• JUST suggestions – e-learning may work with less “stuff”

Equipment and devices

• Operating systems

• Security (anti-virus, firewall, etc.)

• File formats

• File management

• Email and attachments

• Word processing

• Web browser plug-ins• Adobe Acrobat .pdf files

• Video formats and playback

• “When in doubt --- (save and) re-boot!”

Computer and software skills



4

• Microsoft “Windows,” Apple “iOS,” Google “Android”

• Different OS on different types of computers

• Not all kinds of productivity software, or e-learning tools, are compatible with various operating systems (…or different OS versions)

• e.g., iOS won’t do “flash” videos

• Check with the e-learning provider about what OS and/or versions are recommended (usually published on the site)

Operating systems

• When doing e-learning on the web, it is essential that your computer is protected (software is often included with the computer)

• or, purchase anti-virus software such as McAfee, Norton, Kasperskey (sometimes included by ISP provider, e.g., Cox and McAfee)

• Also, good free anti-virus software available, i.e., AVG, avast!

• Helpful if security software also includes malware protection, spyware protection, firewall settings, etc.

• USE IT! Update it…

Security



5

• Different kinds of computer files have different “.file extensions”

• For example: .doc .pdf .mp4 .jpg .ppt .htm .xls .gif .txt .flv .wmv .zip .mov .csv .wav .xml .exe .sys .cfg

• Certain file formats are produced by, and only work with, specific types of software/computers

• You can usually tell at a glance what software (or player) you need on your computer by looking at the .file extension

• Typically, when you try to use/download a file, it will tell you what you need and suggest a browser plug-in

• Be careful about downloading or using .exe .sys .cfg files !!!

File formats

• You must know where things are on your computer! (… sometimes, it’s not always easy to find your files)

• In Windows, hierarchical file structure is on drive “C”: “This PC”

“Documents”e.g., “Wordfiles”

• Also, a “Downloads” area, “Pictures” area, “Music” area, etc.

• YOU control the sub-heading file names and locations (…use a filing system that makes sense to you)

• External storage devices (e.g., a thumb drive) may be used (…shown as a different drive, for example “f” drive)

File management



6

• Some email may be stored on your computer, some email (i.e., webmail) may be storedelsewhere (…you need to know where)

• File management of your emails is also important, wherever they happen to be

• Email “attachments” are a common way of moving files from one user to another within e-learning courses ---- you need to know how to attach and how to download --- and where to find the attachment once you download

• Be careful about downloading or using .exe .sys .cfg files !!!

Email and attachments

• For most e-learning courses, it is helpful to have at least word processing software (to write/edit documents, essays, papers, blogs, wikis, etc.)

• Remember that you can “cut and paste” from web documents into word processing software, to revise, edit, save, etc.

• Remember that you can “cut and paste” text from word processing software back into discussion boards, wikis, etc.

• Word processing software can also be used to check spelling and grammar, search and find, or convert to other file formats (.pdf)

• Some word processing software is free, e.g., “OpenOffice”

• #1 rule of word processing = “Save early and often”

Word processing



7

• Various web browsers: “Internet Explorer,” “Chrome,” “Safari,” “Firefox” --- all behave slightly differently within e-learning tools

• Most browsers require extra, specific “plug-ins” to work with specific file formats, e.g., .pdf = acrobat plug-in, .flv = flash plug-in

• You need to know how to download and install various plug-ins when required --- usually a fairly easy, self-initiating process

• If you use more than one browser, each requires plug-ins

• Be mindful of the source of the plug-in software before downloading

Web browser “plug-ins”

• Video files (.mp4, .flv, .wmv, .mov, .avi)are used extensively in e-learning courses

• Each type of file format requires a specific “player” (plug-in) in order for the video to play in your browser, on your computer

• You need to know how to download and install various plug-ins when required --- usually a fairly easy, self-initiating process

• If you use more than one browser, each requires plug-ins

• Be mindful of the source of the plug-in software before downloading

Video files and playback



8

• Don’t panic!

• Know where and how to get “help” from the computer company, software manufacturer, web browser company, e-learning site, college or university course sponsor, etc.

• Read the “FAQ’s” (or, re-read the instructions)

• Use the “Help Desk” or “Help Button”

• Use your CWA and/or MOOC network colleagues to get help

• Ask a geek (…if you know one)

• “When in doubt, (save and) re-boot!” (…don’t forget to “save” first, if you can)(#1 rule of word processing = “Save early and often”)

In case of emergency

• Understanding the WWW and the Internet?

• Using a web browser• Browser settings

• Bookmarks and favorites

• Understanding URL’s

• Using search engines and search tools

• Phishing, malware, spyware, Trojan horse, spam, etc.

• Information literacy skills

• Netiquette

Web and Internet skills



9

• The World Wide Web and the Internet are not the same thing

• WWW is but one component of the Internet

• The Internet preceded the WWW by several decades

• Internet = global network of interconnected computer networks that use the “internet protocol” (TCP/IP software) in order to operate together

• WWW = system of interlinked hypertext documents and other materials accessed via the Internet using a web browser

• WWW resources are found using a specific “URL,” or address, to locate them

The WWW and Internet

• Various web browsers: “Internet Explorer,” “Chrome,” “Safari,” “Firefox” --- all behave slightly differently within e-learning tools

• Browser settings affect what you will be able to do on the web,(i.e., know where the settings are located and how to modify them)

• Most e-learning courses and LMS’s require the use of “cookies”(…know how to change settings to accept “cookies,” at least for the e-learning site)

• “Privacy” settings control where you can go, what you can see, what you can do, and what you can download from the WWW

(…make sure your privacy settings will allow you to use the e-learning site)

• If necessary, get “help” to make sure browser settings will work with e-learning

Using a browser



10

• Bookmarks and “favorites” allow you store often-used URL’s and web sites for later (repeated) use

• Each type of browser handles bookmarks & favorites differently

• Bookmarks can be organized and managed as “files”

• Bookmarks can be copied and transferred from one computer to another

Using a browser

• URL = “Uniform Resource Locater” --- the “address” of a World Wide Web resource or site

• In the form of: http://www.mysite.com

• The URL may sometimes begin with https:// which means the web communication channel is secure and the web server you are talking to is authentic

• The ending of a URL will give some indication of the type of site you are visiting: .com = commercial, .edu = educational site (a college or university), .gov = (federal) government, and .org = organization

• Be wary if the URL ending does not match your expectations, e.g., if a “college” or “university” site ends with .com instead of .edu

Understanding URL’s



11

• A way to find things contained on an ever expanding WWW

• Not just “Google” --- also Bing, Yahoo (Alta Vista), Hotbot (Lycos)

• Google is more than just search --- Google Scholar, Books, Translate

• “Keywords” are important:

• short, relevant keywords return lots of “hits,”

• longer strings of keywords refine the search and return fewer hits

• Web crawlers constantly search the web and note “Page rank”

• Google knows what you “like” and filters results for you (…your Google search history is stored and remembered)

Using search engines & tools

• Understanding the types of security threats (other than computer

viruses) on the WWW and Internet is important

• Phishing = a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication

• Malware = (“malicious software”) any software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems

• Spyware = software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another entity without the consumer's consent

Phishing, malware, spyware, etc.

(Definitions from Wikipedia)



12

• Trojan Horse = a malicious computer program which tricks users into willingly running it

• Worm = a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers

• Spam = junk mail with nearly identical messages sent to numerous recipients by email

• Good anti-virus software (a “security suite”) will often include components to fight many of these WWW and Internet threats

• USE IT! Update it…

Phishing, malware, spyware, etc.

(Definitions from Wikipedia)

• The set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information

• Related to computer and technology skills, but broader:• Determine the extent of information needed

• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently

• Evaluate information and its sources critically

• Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base

• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

• Stay safe on the WWW and Internet!• Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

Information Literacy skills

http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency



13

• “Network Etiquette”• A set of rules for behaving properly online

• Rule 1: Remember the Human• Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life• Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace• Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth• Rule 5: Make yourself look good online• Rule 6: Share expert knowledge• Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control• Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy• Rule 9: Don't abuse your power• Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

• Cyberspace has its own culture (…use netiquette to help avoid social blunders)

Netiquette

• (Time management)

• Announcements

• Email vs. messages

• Discussion boards

• Web conferencing & Whiteboards

• Chat

• Blogs and wikis

• Assessments

LMS / VLE skills



14

• Not really a technical skill, but a very important personal attribute for e-learning courses

• E-learning requires great deal of self-motivation and self-discipline (…sometimes, a very difficult concept for many college-age students to grasp and adjust)

• E-learning courses are not like coming to a CWA class every week

• Some e-learning courses have schedules and calendars, others do not --- YOU control the extent & timing of your learning activities

• MOOC’s are very forgiving of students not completing the course, i.e., they expect many drop-outs (i.e., no penalties)

Time Management

• A special area within an LMS where theinstructor(s) posts relevant course and class information

• Announcements usually speak to scheduled tasks, assignments, class calendars, assessments, personnel information, etc.

• Can usually “subscribe” to announcements, so that you get an automatic email message outside the LMS environment

• Announcements are dated & time-stamped --- after a period of time, they may “disappear” from view (can still review old announcements)

• Very important to regularly check announcements in an e-learning course and LMS

Announcements



15

• In an LMS, “email” is used to send information outside of the course environment, and “messages” are used to send information within the course environment

• Usually, you can’t email into an LMS (…no good way to address the email)

• LMS email system may be less functional than typical email systems --- the instructor controls what functions are available

• You need to remember to check BOTH places inside the LMS for messages from the instructor and/or other students

• Netiquette rules apply

Email vs. messages

• Within an LMS, a shared area for (asynchronous) written interactions (text messages) between instructor and students and student and students

• Sometimes called discussion “forums”

• Usually organized by topics, or “discussion threads”

• Instructor controls format and many discussion board functions

• Not always intuitive on how to use discussion boards or tools ---might need to go to LMS “help”

• A very important aspect of most e-learning courses (= interactivity)

Discussion boards



16

• Synchronous video, audio, chat, and/or whiteboard tools within the LMS, often used to simulate a virtual “classroom”

• Used to provide real-time interactions between instructor and students (…on the other hand, it requires everyone to meet at the same time)

• Easy way to provide class “interactivity”

• Video is often minimal --- mostly audio, chat, & whiteboard activity

• In various VLE/LMS systems, often identified by different names(in Blackboard, it is called “CourseSites Live”)

• Whiteboards have (synchronous) drawing capability, text capability, web URL capability, etc. (…a useful tool for real-time instructor demonstrations)

Web conferencing & whiteboards

Web conferencing & whiteboards



17

• Synchronous text messaging between two, or many individuals, within a chat “box” area inside a web conferencing and/or whiteboard area within the LMS

• Used to provide real-time interactions between instructor and students (…on the other hand, chat requires everyone to meet at the same time)

• Easy way to provide class “interactivity”

• Can selectively address chat comments to individuals or groups within chat box area

• Can record “chat” session (complete text transcript) for future reference

• Sometimes, it is very difficult to keep up with chat comments

Chat

• Blog = (“Web Log”) Like an online diary --- a personal discussion, commentary, and/or information site, usually posted to the web by a single individual

• Wiki = A web application that allows users to write and post content to the web, in collaboration with others (…a shared writing space)

• LMS may contain either or both writing tools to foster student commentary and interaction

• May be “graded activities” in credit courses

Blogs and wikis



18

• Test, quiz, and survey capability usually available in an LMS• Linked to an internal LMS “gradebook,”

and typically to the college or universityStudent Information System (SIS)

(for “non-credit” MOOC’s, not really an issue)

• Simple test question formats: multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill in the blank(s), multiple answers, etc.

• Instructor controls many test options: timing, grading, presentation format, scoring, etc.

• Big problem for “credit” courses = who is actually taking the test?(…usually means “proctored testing” at an on-campus site)

Assessments

• Personal information

• Set reasonable lifelong learning priorities

• Don’t pay for something, if you can get it for free

• E-learning may not always be the best way to resolve a particular lifelong learning need

• Don’t be bashful --- get HELP when you need it!

• Make sure that it’s a fun learning experience!

Common sense



19

• Be very careful about providing personal information when using the WWW and/or signing up for e-learning

• Some information like “email address” (and maybe “birthdate”) might be requested --- that’s probably okay

• Never give your social security number, or other financial account information, unless you are absolutely sure about the authenticity of the site and the need for the information, e.g., iTunes registration will request a credit card number for purchases, Nook, Amazon

• Be mindful of WHO initiates the request for information

• NEVER give your username or password to anyone else

Personal information

• Because so much is available, it’s easy to over commit to e-learning courses and resources

• Try one MOOC, first

• Pace yourself

Reasonable e-learning priorities



20

• Many, many e-learning resources are free and open, including MOOC’s, videos, podcasts, books, etc.

• Use the e-learning resources described in this course

• Only good reason to pay is if you want “credit” from a higher education institution

• If it isn’t “free,” and you don’t recognize it as a reputable institution or organization, then be very wary

Do free

• E-Learning may not be the most appropriate method for some types of lifelong learning activities!

• Think about what you’re trying to do online…

Caution:



21

• Don’t panic (…or get mad)

• Use the “Help Desk” or “Help Button”

• Read the “FAQ’s” (or, re-read the instructions)

• Use your CWA and/or MOOC network colleagues to get help

• Ask a geek (…if you know one)

Get help

(Shouting at your computer won’t help!)

• If it is not fun, then don’t do e-learning!

Have fun!



22

• Let’s explore some sites and look at some courses:• YouTube (i.e., channels)

• iTunes University

• Khan Academy

• Coursera

• edX

• Udacity

• What sites and/or courses have you found?

Where do I find E-Learning Courses?

• Session #3 = How do I enroll?What should I expect inside an e-learning course?

(…a guided tour) Should I give it a try?

• Questions and comments from today?

Next week

https://www.youtube.com/

https://www.khanacademy.org/

https://www.coursera.org/

https://www.edx.org/

https://www.udacity.com/



23

Contact information

Thanks for attending!