Exploring Online Tools For TeachingAlexandre Enkerli
Department of Sociology and AnthropologyConcordia University
http://enkerli.wordpress.com/http://www.slideshare.net/Enkerli
Introduction
• Overwhelmed?– Internet use by students– Internet use by colleagues
• Technology changes– Accompany teaching changes
• What can be done?– Moodle– Facebook– Other tools
Workshop
• Exploration of tools– Inside classroom– Outside classroom
• Presentation– Experiences, learning contexts
• Round-table discussion– Some issues with educational technology
Plan
• Self-introductions• Presentation on tools• Discuss other tools• Discussion on issues
Why Am I Here?
• Nobody special (PTF at Soc. and Anthro.)• “Free, Open, Flexible: Rethinking Learning
Materials Online” (Spirit of Inquiry)• Tech/Teach backgrounds• Use of Online Tools• Ph.D. seminar
Computer Technology
• “Wannabe geek” (online since 1993)• Hang out with “geeks”• Blogger since 2005
Teaching
• Ghost of Piaget• Diverse teaching experience (Qc, NB, IN, MA)• Informal and formal teaching• Bridges between life and teaching• “Born to teach” Facebook group
Controversial Stance?
• “Learning happens despite teaching”• “Tools meant to be used”– Think about possibilities (“sales pitch”)– Anti-deterministic
Participant Introductions
Presenting Tools
Tools to Cover
• Moodle• Facebook• RefWorks• Slideshare
Moodle
A Free, Open Source Course Management System for Online
Learning
Moodle
• Learning/Course Management System• Virtual Learning Environment• Also: Sakai, Oncourse, Blackboard, WebCT• “Interactive course website.”– Provide content– Do activities
Moodle Use
• Platform (modules, applications)• Resources (content) or Activities (interaction)• Constructivist model• Teacher-student connection• Moodle community
Moodle Issues
• Outside authentication (ConU)• Training/documentation• Versions• Some confusing tools• Toward social networking
A social utility that connects you with the people around you
• 800 lbs. gorilla• Social phenomenon• “Where students are”• Social networking system• Platform with applications
Facebook and Learning
• Socialisation• Peer-learning• Informal learning• Discovery• Use as CMS
Facebook Issues
• Black hole? (“Addictive”)• Commercial site (advertising)• Scarcity of dedicated learning tools• Lack clear roles• “Where students are”
RefWorks
Your online research management, writing and collaboration tool
RefWorks Use
• Online citation manager– “Web-enabled EndNote”
• Concordia availability• Library catalogues (CLUES, MUSE...)• Google Scholar integration• Desktop integration (Microsoft Word)• RefShare
RefWorks Issues
• Few students really use• Cumbersome login (ConU)• Few databases (PubMed, OCLC Trial)• Missing some Endnote features?– Attachment– Formatted list– Handheld/PDA
SlideShare
YouTube for PowerPoint
SlideShare Use
• Upload before class• Edit during class• Embed after class• Slidecast (with sound)
Slideshare Issues
• PowerPoint/PDF/OpenDocument• Changed fonts• Posting delays• Indirect editing (unlike Zoho show)• Cumbersome audio synchronisation
Other Tools
Other tools
• Google Docs– Had to learn
• Skype• Screens• Email feedback
Blogspot
• Comments• Feedback on assignments• Comfortable expressing themselves• Interconnect after class (Moodle gone)• Semi-public• Successful
Research use of Web
• Online databases• Instead of entertainment• Patrick Labelle• Research librarians
Online Workshops
• Dreamweaver• References from face-to-face workshop• Professional video• Program application• RefWorks workshop?• Download/show• IITS and CTLS• Refresher
Basecamp?
• Storage• Large• Closed/private
Discuss Issues
Discuss Issues (examples)
• Comfort• Luddites and fear of technology• Shelters or windmills• Teacher control• Online/offline learning• Informal/formal learning• Resources (time, money)
Attitudes• Technology proficiency• “Old-Fashioned”• Outside help• Want to learn• Experimentation• Concentrating on teaching vs. tools• Facebook too public• Textbook/didactic• Technology helps
Time-consumption
• To learn• To use• To control• Focus on teaching
Moodle frustration
• Abandon (lack of support)• Open Source (could be dealt with)• Assignment use• Came from Site Generator• Own way to use
Expectations
• Ex. PowerPoint• Not about entertainment• Pandering to expectations• Bells and whistles, “Wow factor”– Tangible product of/for teaching
Pleasing students
• Bother to show up?• Online evaluation– Teaching expectations• Tenure system• Part-time
• Learning styles– Ways to remember– Grades
Student Diversity
• Non-traditional students• Students not sold on empty PowerPoint• Get to understand learning/teaching
Change in university climate
• Service-based learners• Deep-level learners• Change in proportions• Autodidact/self-learning• Our expectations• As process• Disciplines• Excitement
Legal Issues?
• Getting out of hand• Lawsuits?• “Paranoid fascist”• Student diversity
Comfort level• Students’– Not that comfortable
• Teacher’s– Added stress for setting up (logistics)– Resource person (individual support)– We’re also learners
Hope!• Been using a tool, comfortable– Need for something else?
• Use constructively/critically• Not prison• Special population
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