exploring online tools for teaching (draft)
DESCRIPTION
Draft version of presentation file for Alexandre Enkerli's workshop on Online Tools for Teaching at Concordia University, November 12, 2007.TRANSCRIPT
Exploring Online Tools For TeachingAlexandre Enkerli
Department of Sociology and AnthropologyConcordia University
http://enkerli.wordpress.com/http://www.slideshare.net/Enkerli
Introduction
• Overwhelmed?– Internet use by students– Internet use by colleagues
• Technology changes– Accompany teaching changes
• What can be done?– Moodle– Facebook– Other tools
Workshop
• Exploration of tools– Inside classroom– Outside classroom
• Presentation– Experiences, learning contexts
• Round-table discussion– Some issues with educational technology
Plan
• Self-introductions• Presentation on tools• Discuss other tools• Discussion on issues
Why Am I Here?
• Nobody special (PTF at Soc. and Anthro.)• “
Free, Open, Flexible: Rethinking Learning Materials Online” (Spirit of Inquiry)
• Tech/Teach backgrounds• Use of Online Tools• Ph.D. seminar
Computer Technology
• “Wannabe geek” (online since 1993)• Hang out with “geeks”• Blogger since 2005
Teaching
• Ghost of Piaget• Diverse teaching experience (Qc, NB, IN, MA)• Informal and formal teaching• Bridges between life and teaching• “Born to teach” Facebook group
Controversial Stance?
• “Learning happens despite teaching”• “Tools meant to be used”– Think about possibilities (“sales pitch”)– Anti-deterministic
Participant Introductions
Presenting Tools
Tools to Cover
• Moodle• Facebook• RefWorks• Slideshare• Maybe– Blogging– YouTube
Moodle
A Free, Open Source Course Management System for Online
Learning
Moodle
• Learning/Course Management System• Virtual Learning Environment• Also: Sakai, Oncourse, Blackboard, WebCT• “Interactive course website.”– Provide content– Do activities
Moodle Use
• Platform (modules, applications)• Resources (content) or Activities (interaction)• Constructivist model• Teacher-student connection• Moodle community
Moodle Issues
• Outside authentication (ConU)• Training/documentation• Versions• Some confusing tools• Toward social networking
A social utility that connects you with the people around you
• 800 lbs. gorilla• Social phenomenon• “Where students are”• Social networking system• Platform with applications
Facebook and Learning
• Socialisation• Peer-learning• Informal learning• Discovery• Use as CMS
Facebook Issues
• Black hole? (“Addictive”)• Commercial site (advertising)• Scarcity of dedicated learning tools• Lack clear roles• “Where students are”
RefWorks
Your online research management, writing and collaboration tool
RefWorks Use
• Online citation manager– “Web-enabled EndNote”
• Concordia availability• Library catalogues (CLUES, MUSE...)• Google Scholar integration• Desktop integration (Microsoft Word)• RefShare
RefWorks Issues
• Few students really use• Cumbersome login (ConU)• Few databases (PubMed, OCLC Trial)• Missing some Endnote features?– Attachment– Formatted list– Handheld/PDA
SlideShare
YouTube for PowerPoint
SlideShare Use
• Upload before class• Edit during class• Embed after class• Slidecast (with sound)
Slideshare Issues
• PowerPoint/PDF/OpenDocument• Changed fonts• Posting delays• Indirect editing• Cumbersome audio synchronisation
Blogging
Blogging Use
• Self-publishing• Blogging as low-stakes writing• Blogging as sharing• Bridge with life, examples
Blogging Issues
• Author-based• Less than thoughtful comments• Keeping up?• Writing style?
YouTube
Broadcast Yourself
YouTube Use
• In-class examples• UC Berkeley lectures• Advantages– Publicly accessible– Sharing, comments– Self-learning– Peer-teaching
YouTube Issues
• Image quality• Streaming problems• Pulled-off content• Haters
Other Tools
Discuss Issues
Discuss Issues (examples)
• Comfort• Luddites and fear of technology• Shelters or windmills• Teacher control• Online/offline learning• Informal/formal learning• Resources (time, money)