Agricultural Education: Blended Learning forIn-service Students

Vienna, 23 June 2006

Three Perspectives – Three Presenters:

Paul Meinl – factline & team consult wien (Service Provider)Beate Kralicek – Agrarpädagogische Akademie (Faculty)Petra Fuchs – Agrarpädagogische Akademie (Student)

Perspective I „Service Providers“(Technical & Training)

&

factline Webservices GmbH

• Founded April 99, based in Vienna, 3 partners, 6 staffers• Products & Services:

– Software: factline Community Server – Services: Consulting, Implementation, Support, Moderation

• Focus:– Learning Communities/Collaborative Blended Learning– Project Communication (z.B. EU-Projekte)– E-Portfolios

• References:– University of Vienna, FHWien, FHS Burgenland, Salzburg

Research, Wirtschaftskammer Wien

What do we mean with (Collaborative) Blended Learning?

Blended Learning is a combination of face-to-face and online sessions in any course setting.

Collaborative Blended Learning is based on the idea, that learners not only learn from teachers but – possibly even more so – from their peers. Therefore, transparent communication amongst all parties involved with a course is a key element in the course design.

When should an organisation consider Collaborative Blended Learning?

1. There is a need to reduce physical attendance.

2. Participants have a shared (professional) experience and similar tasks/goals.

3. Participants are eager to learn from each other.

Services provided

• Out-of-box technical infrastructure for Blended Learning (factline community server)

• Consult, conceptualize, design and moderate train the trainer (TTT) courses; accompany and revisit organisation – in cooperation with team consult wien:

TECHNICAL FOCUS

PEDAGOGICAL FOCUS

Process of Implementation

Workshop Particip.

Participants Online Sessions

Workshop I

Tra

in p

latf

orm

ad

min

Work

sh

op

->

Con

cep

t

Workshop II

Workshop III

Train-the-Trainer Online Sessions

In this case

• 3 year course, 40 participants (in-service), 15 teachers

• Online platform (ASP model)

• Organisational resources needed:– 3-4 preparational meetings with decision makers

– 3 workshops with teachers (½ day)

– 1 workshop with students (½ day)

– Online exercises, stretching over 4 months

– 1 internal administrator & moderator

Key Success Factors

• Basic need existent

• Internet access OK

• Motivated Teachers

• Communicative moderator & platform

administrator

• Openness of all participants...and a little

patience!

Summary

• Positive experience:

– Agrarpädak met all above points,

– had an exceptionally intense and fast start,

– very playful with media,

– very active student moderator (volunteer)

• Suggestion for improvement: more

training & review time available

Perspective II – The Teachers

Faculty´s Perspective

• MOTIVATING START

Quick wins

• Photo story: as ice breaker students

present their individual photo stories

• Chain writing: in collaboration students

work together on one story by

contributing short paragraphs one after

the other

Pedagogical Focus

• Keeping contact

• Tasks with problem solving and

discussions

• Clear evaluation criteria

Technical Support

• Tailor-made tasks

and examples

• Reliable coaching

• Trial and error

Questions referring to

•Tasks

•Advantages for students

•Teaching and learning experiences

of teachers

Questionnaire

Perspective III – The Students (who are also teachers)

The Students

The Platform

LV-Räume / Lecture Rooms

Votings

Administration Rights

Ping

Students´ Perspective

• All involved participants have to use it• Detailed training & time for practising

• Good supplement for face to face phases

• Exchange ongoing experiences

Thanks for your attention!