Nikos Mattheos Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malm, SwedenThe Virtual Classroom! Fact and myth

University of Malm Centre for Oral health sciencesDentistsDental HygienistsDental TechniciansBiological ResearchHealth Informatics Research

The e-team !!!

Rolf Attstrm,Professor,MalmAnders Nattestad, Assoc. Professor, CopenhagenNikos Mattheos, Res. Associate, MalmMartin Schittek, Res. Associate, Malm

Cris. Ramseyer,Res. Associate,BernLorenza Canegallo,Res. Associate,MilanDaniel Cerny, Res. Associate Prague

Cyber learning communitiesInternet classroomVirtual Learning EnvironmentsIntegrated Distance Learning Environmentse-learningWeb - based learningVirtual ClassroomsVirtual Seminar rooms

Student tutor Student student Student learning resourcesIn the ClassroomInteraction

The network environment that can facilitate similar kinds of interaction as in a physical classroom.

Home

StudentsHome

StudentsHomeTeachersRolf Attstrm, DDS, PhD Professor Centre for Oral health Sciences, Malm, SwedenCV Homepage e-mail linksAnders Nattestad, DDS, PhD Associate professor, School of Dentstry, University of Copenhagen

CV Homepage e-mail links

StudentsHomeTeachersAdmin. Course syllabusCalendarOn-Line Registration AddressbooksAdmission requirementsStudents progress

StudentsHomeTeachersAdmin. ExaminationsLearning GolasCompetence and knowledge aquiredKnowledge still to be aquiredProgress in timeComparisons?

Portfolio

StudentsHomeTeachersAdmin. Bar !Bulletin boardChatVirtual beers

NewsHomepages SMS service

Portfolio

Sharing of programmes and documents

Special tools and CAL programmes

Audio telephone conference as has been used since 1960s:

Audiovisual teleconference:

Integrated environmentSimple equipment Affordable cost

Interaction in a typical teleconference session:

A Virtual Classroom allows the individual student or professional to access the whole learning process from the comfort of his/her home, with only a standard PC and a reasonably fast Internet connection.

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The expensive way..!The less expensive way..!The least expensive way..!

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The expensive way..!Server Programmers TimeVery high costexpert maintennance neededDont re-invent the wheel!-Tailor madeShare or Sell ?+

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The less expensive way..!Aymetrix Librarian Blackboard Centra.com ConveneEmbanet Cursus Eduprice.com First Class e.College.com IMserries IntraLearn Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE) Serf LUVIT Symposium Softarc TopClass The Learning Manager Lotus Learning Space Virtual Workspace Virtual U WebCT WebMentor WebboardsSome commercial Packages:

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The less expensive way..!Commercial packages: QuickEasy interfaceTechnical support +Limited adjustability in technology and methodNeed of expert maintenance Cost ? -

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The least expensive way:

Web communitiesMessenger serviceDiscus

ACOLADsalon bureau personnel amphithtre salle du sminaire salle des professeurs.

http://acolad.u-strasbg.fr

How do we build a Virtual Classroom? The alternative way:Do it yourself..!Costs timeLimited control over freeware servicesNeed of evaluation of all offered optionsNeed for alternatives-0 cost! (?)Reasonably adjustableEasy to supportFunctional +

StudentsHomeTeachersAdmin. Bar !

THE SOUP MODEL !

Doing some research

Some research results Similar test scoresBetter accommodate students diversityReaching the unreachableAdded value to in-campus teachingFactors of importance

Factors of importance in a Virtual ClassroomBefore the course: the course determines the media not vice versa.students and tutors must handle the technologyStrict time planning inform students and tutors on the time they must allocate to the course.

Factors of importance in a Virtual ClassroomDuring the course: New media new methods! Employ active learning PBL, DKNGroupwork, team spirit, distribution of roles, peer evaluation.Explore the limitattions of the learning tools. Async. Sync. Communication contribute in different ways. Dont exclude personal contact. Continuos technical assistanceAdjust the Virtual Classroom to the needs of participants.Emphasise on the feedback.

Factors of importance in a Virtual ClassroomAfter the course: Peer evaluation. Continuos evaluation of all stagesStudy the interaction assess facts and figures

Future trends:

Reliable and affordable technology Wide variety of tools for development Wide variety of courses available More demanding learner

Would you pay 50 for a computer based continuous education module ? 1993: 50% 1994: 60%. 1995 37% 1998

(David Polard et al, 1999):

5% with the vast majority drawing the line at 20.

Reliable and affordable technology Wide variety of tools for development Wide variety of courses available More demanding learnerFuture trends: Methodological framework Evaluation framework Smart database driven web applications will undertake important part of the interaction

Anders Nattestad, Associate professor, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen

Now how do we build itAdded value not only by adding practical flexibility, but also by adding new ways of interaction and reenforcing characteristics such as collaborativeCollaborative Discussion led, Student centred, Resource based learningSo those of you who think there is an easy market out there, better prepare yourselves for a disilusionment phase As the novelty will soon expire and people move beyond the bias of the media, the real potential of virtual classrooms will be unrolled.