Communication, Technology, and Effective Integration for Teaching and Learning

Academic Technologies for Learning

University of Alberta

Introduction

• Facilities and Services– Conferences and meetings

– Videoconferences

• eLearning and Instructional Design– Synchronous online learning

– Asynchronous learning

• ATL’s Mission– Agents of change; Capacity builders

– Effective use of technology in teaching & learning

Facilities and Services

• TELUS Centre for Professional Development– Conferences

– Meeting rooms; breakout rooms

– Auditorium and classrooms

– ISDN-based videoconferencing

www.ualberta.ca/teluscentre

eLearning & Instructional Design

• Academic Technologies for Learning– Synchronous online learning– Asynchronous learning– Needs assessment & Evaluation– Success stories

www.atl.ualberta.ca

Synchronous online learning

• Learning in which interaction between instructors and students occurs at the same time, or in real-time

• It is time-dependent learning

• Synchronous events could be one-way (instructor to students) or two-way participation via text, audio or video

Synchronous Options

• Synchronous physical formats (traditional, live face-to-face)

• Synchronous Text Chat

• Audio Streaming

• WebCasting

• Virtual Classroom

Synchronous Text Chat

Examples: •Within WebCT•Instant Messenger

Audio Streaming

• Live synchronous event similar to a webcast• Archived audio file for on-demand streaming• Multiple bandwidths supported• Example:

– Munimall; virtual meeting place for municipal and provincial affairs

• www.munimall2.net/resources/0209found/jimaudio.nclk

Cost: $500 - $800 per 1 hr. event

WebCasting

selus.teluscentre.ualberta.ca/webcast/streamdemo/

Webcasting Examples

Used Webcasting for:– Guest speaker with Rural Economy– Venture Magazine – student panel presentations– Leonard Cohen Night – atmosphere, music,

reciting of poetry, singing for international audience

Cost: $700 - $1,000 per 1 hr. event

Synchronous Virtual Classroom

• Centra ‘Symposium’– IP-based audio

conferencing and virtual classroom software

CentraOneEvent

Leader

Synchronous(time dependant)

Centra User-interface

Example: Health Care Industry

Used virtual classroom software for professional development seminar for health care professionals across Alberta, nationally, and internationally– International TB consulting course with Faculty of

Medicine– Sessions with Clinical Health Sciences– Sessions with Continuing Medical Education– Sessions with Merck Frosst (pharmaceutical company)

Centra Sessions: $700 - $1,000 per hour event

Benefits of Synchronous Learning

Benefits include:

• Learners can ask questions directly

• Learners receive immediate feedback

• Familiarity of classroom model

• The ability to create content quickly

Asynchronous(time independent and self-paced)

WebCTEvent

WebCTEvent

WebCTEvent

DiscussionModerator

TechnicalSupport

WebCT Course Example

Discussion Boards

Benefits of Asynchronous Learning

Benefits include:

• Participants can complete content on their own time schedule

• Participants can complete content in any place

• Participants control pace of instruction

• Allows time for reflection

Needs AssessmentSelecting Appropriate Delivery Tools

“Media selection must be based on the learning context, the skills to be taught, the practicality of the situation, and what the theory indicated would be appropriate.”

Dick and Carey (1996)

Selecting Appropriate Delivery Tool

The following considerations should be made:

• Type of content

• Audience characteristics (tight schedules, travel expenses, no time off work)

• Environmental characteristics

• Cost and time to produce

• Available resources and materials

Example Success Story;TB Consulting Course

Tuberculosis training with Dr. Anne Fanning and other world recognized medical practitioners

• A WebCT component (website)– Asynchronous Self-paced online modules– Discussion board– Posting of assignments and feedback

• A virtual classroom (Centra Symposium)– 2 online sessions per month– Live presentation of information– Live Discussion of topics and assignments

• One face-to-face wrap up session for review

How to Proceed

If you are interested but not sure what to do:• Discuss needs with an instructional designer at

ATL

• Consider a number of factors (i.e. audience, environment, content, budget)

• Outline potential possibilities

• Start planning early on!!!

Summary

The University of Alberta and

Academic Technologies for Learning

• Indisputably recognized in the areas of educational research and evaluation

• Experts in technology-enhanced teaching and learning