What is e-learning?

Electronically-supported learning (eg. web, e-mail, chat, simulation, learning platforms, TV, cell phones, MP3 players, tutorial software)

Offers learners flexibility—time, place, methods, individuality

What e-learning is not

Using computers during classtime

A Brief History of e-learning

As soon as computers became regularly available in schools (early 1980s), programs began

E-learning platforms for all subjects began appearing at universities mid-80s.

Questions to be asked about e-learning

Does it help students learn more quickly/ efficiently?

Does it decrease the workload for the instructor?

Does it make lessons more cost-efficient?

Problems with e-learning

Enough hardware, not properly used

Initial interest fades quickly

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Commonly-used e-learning platforms

Pegasus

E-city

Moodle

E-learning should be:

easy-to-use, fun-to-usecontrast, colors

meaningful

interactive

Blended learning

Presence: quick feedback, social aspects, clarification of ideas

Time-delay can lead to deep thought, anonymity, flexibility

Instructor's role

Clear guidelines and expectations

Clear instructions, background info, and definitions

Prompt answers to questions

Monitoring student input

Functions of LMS

Blackboard

Data base

Notebook

Communication within a group

Practice

Coordination

Feedback and evaluation

Future and Pitfalls of E-learning

Wikipediaing of education

Presentation vs. content

Commercialization of education

I-pod casting

Wikibooks

Touch-screen blackboards

School podcasting

Micro-learning

Austrian School System and E-learning

Erlass issued in 2004 from Ministry

Four districts

Division: topic-based, subject-based, virtual classrooms

Moodle in most Austrian schools

http://www.gibs.at/

INTERACTIVEhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/Excellent interactive site from the BBC specifically for English learners. Video and audio clips, online quizs, pen pal and message board opportunities for students. Lesson plans for teachers are also available. http://www.spoton.de/The website for the magazine of the same name. Lots of teeny articles. Good for lower school. Quizzes, “Fun with English” section, Audio downloads http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/siteguide/siteguide.shtmThe Public Broadcasting station has some excellent lesson plans with video, audio and reading. Aimed at U.S. middle and high school students. Appropriate for upper school.http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/index_cnnsf.htmlThe Literacy Network’s learning resources sites has abridged and original versions of news stories (some with activities and multimedia presentations). Stories are organized by topic. 

READING COMPREHENSIONhttp://www.topics-mag.com/index.htmlAn on-line magazine for English learners by English learners. Appropriate for upper school. http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~lfried/stories/stories.htmlGreat interactive site for reading comprehension. Students read a short story. They can click on difficult words for their definitions and at the end of each text there is an interactive “test” on their comprehension. Good for all levels, though the texts are pretty short. PODCASTShttp://www.englishfeed.com/New podcasts on different grammar topics updates every two weeks http://www.englishteacherjohn.com/podcast/index.htmExaggeratedly clear voice talking about different subjects. Good for students having a very difficult time with listening comprehension. http://www.eslpod.comGreat free podcast with a wide-range of topics. Includes an introduction to podcasts and a well-explained getting started section.