Implementation Challenges And Strategies Of An Organization Deploying A Synchronous Online Learning

Environment

Joselito C. Olpoc

On-Line Learning It's a process of education in which the medium of

computer technology enables learning to occur when the learner(s) and instructor(s) are separated by time and place

“Online instruction implies a connection to a computer system at a venue distinct from a [student’s] PC; the venue can be across the world or across campus.” [Regalbuto 1999]

An “online learning environment” includes the hardware, software, and pedagogy needed to conduct learning on the Internet.

E-Learning

"Electronic learning denotes learning environments consisting of hardware, software and personnel; a multi-faceted learning programme that utilizes distance learning, interactive cable TV, and the Internet to connect learning environments to homes, places of work, and the community at large" The E-Learning Working Group of The National

Information Technology Council of Malaysia.

E-Learning Business Perspective

Aim is to improve the efficiency of delivery, administering, and supporting learning.

Academic Perspective The aim is learning effectiveness, in other words,

pedagogy

Types of On-Line Learning Asynchronous

In Online Leaning, an event in which people are not logged on at the same time (e.g. blackboard.com)

Synchronous In Online Learning, an event in which all of the

participants are online at the same time and communicating with one another (e.g. HPVC). (Carliner, 1999)

Literature Review Pedagogy

Is distance learning as effective as traditional classroom learning

Russel, Syracuse : No Significant Difference Phipps & Merisotis : What’s the Difference

Agreement : Technology is secondary to pedagogical factors. [Ehrmann, Owston, Phipps & Merisotis]

Literature Review National Education Association

24 benchmarks for success in Internet Based Distance Education

Benchmarks

Literature Review Infrastructure Needs

Hartley : Need for a technical assessment Bernholdt & Fox [Syracuse Univ.] : Network Issues

· Consistent quality of service (with guaranteed connection)· Guaranteed bandwidth in the order of 100 Kbps· A latency period or delay of no more than 0.5 seconds· No jitter

Literature Review Organizational Impact

Dazinger proposed five productivity measures: staff reduction, cost reduction, increased work volume, new information generated, and increased effectiveness in serving the public

Univ. of Illinois : Pedagogy : teachers Teaching Innovation : scholarly activity Profit : Online Instruction cost > Traditional classroom Success : Rigorous study

Transformational Elements

TRANSFORMATION

Process

Technology People

What the Project is...

Using the HPVC, an IT school wanted to implement synchronous on-line learning to 7,000 students in three of its campuses in the first trimester of SY 2000 - 2001 within a time frame of 3 months.

Risks· Acceptance of the technology by the faculty,

administration and students· Quality of instruction· Upgrade of technology· Maintenance and Support Price increases for HPVC

Critical Success Factors· Quality, preparation and delivery, effectiveness of the

teachers · Students readiness and maturity to this strategy · Availability of invited professors with HPVC skills (2nd

trimester)· Resistance of parents of the students· Communication lines (adequacy, speed)

Strategies· Build core set of champions among the faculty · Faculty uses standardized content, plus content

creation must be centralized.· Strengthen the infrastructure needed to implement the

technology on a wide scale.· To create a committee to oversee the whole e-learning

pedagogy in terms of content creation, teaching strategies, etc

Element #1 : Processes· The pedagogy of teaching· Classroom Management· The management of content design, creation and

deployment· The management of the security of the e-learning

environment· The management of system failures

Faculty Concerns

“Delivering the class and delivering it correctly” Instructors become conscious about how to use the

technology What is the student doing at the other end

Faculty Training Phase 1 : Consultant physically with the faculty Phase 2 : Consultant was behind a blackboard Phase 3 : Consultant physically in the school premises

but in another room Phase 4 : Consultant delivering the lecture from another

location

Differences between on-line learning and traditional classroom learning

Communication protocols must be explicit in OLL Can’t rely on visual cues to “monitor class” Can’t see the students nodding their heads - “Yes.” “No.”

“Confused look?” “Asleep?” Instructors need to make transition from:

visual cues of students to the students’ actions using the icons, audio, and text cues

relying on visual cues to proactively use HPVC tools to monitor students

Key Instructor Responsibilities

Be prepared Delivery Preparation (Content Readiness) Technical Preparation (Classroom Readiness)

Creating and maintaining an open and safe learning environment

Ensuring Learner’s Learn

Element #2 : Technology Labs and Machines

Before : Any available machine After : Dedicated Lab for the E-Learning classes.

Internet connection Before : Diff. bandwidths from each campus to the

ISP provider After : 256 KB from campuses to ISP E1 line from

the ISP to the Internet

Infrastructure Audio connection

Before : None, diff. phone providers After : 3 way conference call using Karaoke System

connected to a teleconferencing phone

Element #3: People

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Student base Pragmatic Approach : Gradual manner

First trimester : Introduction to the use of the HPVC Issues :

Maturity of the students Scheduling

Student Access Students use the HPVC in the classrooms not

anywhere because... The telephone, PC and Internet penetration rates

are low There is the need to learn the proper behaviour There is a need to centralize technical support

Thank youAny questions?

jolpoc@admu.edu.ph (632)-4266071