K. NandakumarFaculty of Engineering

University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE)My experience at the National University of Singapore (NUS)

February 2005

Presentation to the e-learning plan development committee

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What is e-learning at NUS

• It is not necessarily a distance learning model. (e.g. We are not competing with a model like Athabasca University)

• It is a set of tools based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that augments normal mode of delivery (e.g. lectures) for a mobile, motivated and self-learning student population.

• NUS has ties to MIT through SMA (Singapore-MIT- Alliance).

• They use video conferencing (two-way communication), webcasting (one-way communication), and Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (like webct, only better).

• They have institution wide support for content development. e.g. need a virtual lab simulation using flash or even develop PowerPoint slides based on lecture notes.

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What is Integrated Virtual Learning Environment

• A Fully integrated product developed at NUS.– single signon. The moment student registers in a class his/her

name appears on the IVLE course entry with photo.– Live webcasting of lectures on the internet and subsequent

archiving of lectures on course page.– Discussion forums on topics that instructor selects.– Chat sessions with whiteboard and file sharing– Students get SMS on their cell phone when the instructor posts an

announcement.– Work bins for students to submit their work.– Course evaluation filled in by students online prior to exam.– Online quiz and other assessment tools

• Central support for content development. Virtual laboratory. Demonstrations. Simulations.

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Key components of e-learning environment

• Institution wide infrastructure support for use of Information and Communication Technologies in class rooms. – Every large class room should be equipped with video capture and

broadcast facilities.– Special lecture rooms are equipped with video conferencing

facilities.– High bandwidth network infrastructure with wireless access points

throughout campus.– Integration of computing services – from course registration to

teaching evaluation done online.• Institution wide support for content development.

– Developing PowerPoint slides from lecture notes.– Developing demonstration of concepts using flash.– Developing self learning modules on use of MS Office, MATLAB

etc.

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What is needed in Engineering

• Support for webcasting and archiving of lectures• Self-paced learning "modules" of background knowledge

or skills for students. (This could be anything from MS Office proficiency to specialty software, e.g., Matlab, Maple, Hysys / Aspen, ProEngineer, Autocad.

• on-campus expertise to support instructors who wish to develop e-learning opportunities (not just technical support, but people who have a firm grasp of pedagogy and can guide us as to what will and will not work on-line). 

• Infrastructure for in-classroom, on-line demos. • virtual laboratories.• more infrastructure for visualization (think what we could

do in fluid mechanics if we took students inside the flow, i.e., UofA's Cave).

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What should be our strategy

• Recognize that the needs of various faculties on campus will be quite different.

• Put in place infrastructure and support services and identify sources of funding to support it.– CNS: (a) network support for large bandwidth video transfers. (b)

Server support for increased use of Webct with archived video lectures. (c) Webct development efforts to meet the customized local needs.

– TRG: Classroom support to develop infrastructure in class rooms over a period of time. Automate webcasting and archiving of lectures.

– Something like ATL must be reconstituted perhaps under CITL with a specific mandate of helping instructors with content development and advise on pedagogy. (Research in this area should be left to Faculties).

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Some interesting links on Webcasting

• Visit NUS archived webcasting of public lectures – everything from lectures by noble laureates on femtochemistry to public policy

• http://nuslive.nus.edu.sg/• Listen to James Baker on Russia or Colin Powel

on Cold war at Princeton• http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/• How nice it would be if we could showcase our

Kaplan Laureates? – archive their lectures!