Designing an elearning activity

Table of Contents

1. Designing an E-learning activity
2. Offline version
3. Blended learning and technology
4. What is Instructional Design?
5. Analysis
6. Learning outcomes
7. Learning taxonomies
8. Class room interaction
9. Assessment and constructive alignment
10. Computer aided assessment
11. Design
12. Evaluation
13. Summary

Blended learning and technology

What makes the applications of technology for e-learning successful?

• Interactive and engaging
• Supported by relevant, accessible resources
• Clear about what is expected
• Integrated into the course and its assessment
• Learners existing capabilities are brought into play
• Learners are appropriately challenged
• Learners have opportunities for dialogues (peers or tutors and mentors)
• They receive feedback (intrinsic or extrinsic)
• They have opportunities for consolidation and integration
• Well supported by tutors

(R. Sharpe & G Benfield, Oxford Brookes Uni. 2005)

• But first consider this point.....

If you think an online course is simply a traditional face-to-face (f2f) course replicated on a computer screen, think again, then think again very carefully! Long lectures (notes) are not effective online. A successful Internet course will reflect the communicative nature of the online environment and incorporate resources from the outside world. For example, the discussion or collaborative element of an online course should be a major component and links to related resources and support material should be a standard feature in lesson presentation. Do not just dump your resources into the VLE and expect your students to stumble over them.  This e-supported or "fofo" model of blended learning is prevalent in many institutions, it is not e-learning. It's not learning, it's merely a convenient place to dump lecture notes.  If there was, for example, some communication, collaboration assessment and reflection and  built into the online environment, then thats blended e-learning. Discuss.

Read the full article on instructional design here:

http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/id/points2consider.asp

For a brief introduction to learning online, the University of Illinois has produced a one page introduction which will give you an idea of how a VLE works to support learning at a distance. Follow the link below to access the page.

http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/overview/nutshell.asp