Multimedia & E-Learning

E-Learning Theory & ModelsAssignment 1

Luke Power and Zhigang Feng and Robin Whelan

Introduction•The E-Learning overview which this group has looked into focused mainly on two key questions centred on game based E-Learning.

•These questions explore the idea that games, whether learning based or not, proves to be an extremely effective tool when trying to impart critical thinking skills, team based and logical thinking skills as the user plays the game.

•The learning may occur without the player being aware at all that learning of any kind has taken place and has been referred to as “stealth learning”

•(Digital Game Based Learning ,2007)

Learning Systems•The E-learning system chosen for this report was the communication tool Skype which allows a call including both voice and audio to conduct communication over the internet

•Several articles the report found showed an increasing use of Skype in the classroom to facilitate learning

•From distant learning to using Skype to present the classroom with a quest speaker who would otherwise be unable to attend a class for the same task.

•(Apps for learning ,2011)

Learning Systems•In terms of distance learning Skype has an obvious use as using Skype students can be present in a classroom from any distance, being able to interact with the class as they could do as if they were there.

•Another point about Skype’s ability to be used as an upstanding E-Learning environment is by video conferencing, which would allow a student work group to meet up with each other online.

•Another more interesting one comes into play when a class room, for example a language course, can have a native language speaker call into the class via Skype and have a conversation with the class in order to give them a great first person experience of the language as spoken.

•(Apps for learning ,2011)

E-Learning Expert•Stephen Downes is a designer and commentator in the E-learning area, Downes has explored and promoted the learning use of computer and online technologies since 1995.

•He is working in the National Research Council of Canada where he has served as a senior Researcher, before to joining the NRC, Downes worked for the University of Alberta as an information architect.•As a distance education and new media design specialist for Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba. From the time when in 2011.

•(Downes.ca ,2011)

E-Learning Expert• Downes specializes in the fields of online learning, new media,

pedagogy and philosophy.

• Downes is known as his newsletter, OlDaily, it distributed by web email and RSS to many subscribers on the world.

• Downes was the winner of the Edublog Award for Best Individual Blog award in 2005 for his blog OLDaily Downes is Editor at Large of the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning.

• (Edublog Awards ,2005)

E-Learning Technology• The game selected to demonstrate game based learning as a n

ew method of E-Learning is Portal

• The game involves the player traversing several test chambers using a portal gun which allows the player to create two portals, a red one and a blue one.

• The player must then use these mechanics to solve the puzzles that await them in each chamber

• The puzzles in each chamber vary from simple logical abstract challenges that require the player to get from point A to point B using their own creativity and problem solving skills to do so.

• (Learning with Portals, 2011)

E-Learning Technology• When faced with this situation the player must engage their lo

gical minds to ascertain the solution to this complex puzzle using a stable of modern physics all the while enjoying the game they are playing.

• Portal also uses audio as well as visuals to navigate the games puzzles as the game is narrated by a computer AI similar in style to Hal from 2001 Space odyssey which monitors the player providing commentary and reinforcing the need for the player to think outside the box using creative solutions to complex and often difficult goals

• (Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology, 2009)

Conclusion• In the present circumstances of E-learning, are consistent of

many styles, we find the game-based E-learning is really interesting style of learning, during game-based learning,

• They deal with combined leaning outcome and game play, during game play, and they can experience different aspect in studying through game play.

References• Apps for learning (2011) Book that looks into apps on phones that may be of aide when in a teaching environment

including Skype, written by Harry Dickens and Andrew Churches. ISBN 978-1463612856

• Digital Game Based Learning (2007) Book that looks into game based learning as a method an effective E-Learning method, written by Marc Prensky. ISBN 978-1557788634

• Downes.ca (2011) Website that details information Stephen Downes including his works, achievements and life in general, accessed on 28th of September at http://www.downes.ca/me/index.htm

• Edublog Awards (2005) Website that awards those who make exelent use of social media to do great or helpful thinks for the online community, accessed on 29th of September at http://edublogawards.com/category/2005/

• Learning with Portals (2011) Valve video game developers’ website that gives general information out about portal including the free access for e-learning, accessed on 29 th of September at http://www.learnwithportals.com/

• Mad City Mystery: Developing scientific argument skills with a place based augmented reality game on handheld computers (2007) Journal that looks into the ability to think logically and critically by using game based learning, written by Kurt D. Squire and Mingfong Jan. Vol, 16, No. 1 (Feb., 2007), pp. 5-29 accessed on 1 st of October at http://www.jstor.org/pss/40186767?searchUrl=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dgame%2Bbased%2Blearning%26acc%3Doff%26wc%3Don&Search=yes

References•Marc Parry (2010) Article that goes into detail about Stephen Downes while also looking into various successes of his works and there effectiveness, accessed on 28th of September at http://chronicle.com/article/Open-Teaching-When-the/124170

•Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology (2009) Book that describes the methods of education as they are currently using to teach and questions whether or not technology is begin used enough, written by Alan Collins. ISBN 978-0807750025

•Wikipedia (ND) Website that details information about many worldly aspects including Stephen Downes, accessed on 28th of September at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Downes

•Wikipedia (ND) Website that details information about many worldly aspects including George Siemens, accessed on 28th of September at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Siemens

•'Isn't It Just like Our Situation?' Engagement and Learning in an Online Story-Based Environment (2006) Journal that looks into not only the ability of games to teach teamwork but also how games that emphasise story can teach all the greater than non-story based games as the learning will become attached to the game as if it were a book, written by Trena M. Paulus, Brian Horvitz and Min Shi. Vol. 54, No. 4 (Aug., 2006), pp. 355-385 accessed on 3 rd of October at http://www.jstor.org/pss/30220465?searchUrl=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dgame%2Bbased%2Blearning%26acc%3Doff%26wc%3Don&Search=yes•

And now…..the demo!!