Activity 1.1- Defining eLearning:

• My personal definition of eLearning

Learning online via an internet connection using a computer anytime, anyplace, at your own pace.

• After reading the articles have you changed your thoughts in any way? Why /or not?

My definition did  not really change as my earlier thoughts were reflected in the readings.

Activity 1.2- Glossary of Terms

• Why do we need an eLearning glossary?

It is important to have a glossary of terms so that we can all become familiar with the new terminology as it can be very confusing. Technical jargon can be quite overwhelming and there is often many different definitions of the same term.

• Where do you start searching?

On the internet using a search engine. Using Google is a good place to start.

• How do you judge their relevance and credibility?

Google ranks pages according to their relevance to the query made. There is usually a short description of the page content which may also help. The other thing is that we need to be aware that technology changes at an increasingly rapid rate and that many glossaries will become outdated if they are not kept current.

• URLs of eLearning glossaries:

These have been added to my Del.icio.us account. Here are a couple of examples though:

1. http://www.e-learningguru.com/gloss.htm
2. http://www.learningcircuits.org/glossary 
3. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-glossary.htm
4. http://www.cybermediacreations.com/elearning/glossary.htm 
5. http://www.edtechpost.ca/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/EdTechPost/ELearningGlossaries
6. http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/eclipse/Resources/glossaries.htm#
7. http://internettime.com/itimegroup/eglossary.htm
8. http://data.webjunction.org/wj/documents/13138.pdf

• New terms I have learnt:

These have been added to the Glossary of Terms forum in UTS Online.  I have even invented a few of my own. Check out my blog posts on technofrustration and weird wacky wikis.

It is interesting though as I always thought URL referred to Universal Resource Locator, whereas others in the forum have referred to this as Uniform Resource Locator. I guess this is yet another example of the multiple definitions that are available for some terms.

LUDDITE – [Reference: Taylor, A, Luddite, UTS Online Glossary of Terms Forum Post, Aug 22, 2007].

A luddite is ’someone who is against the use of technology…’ .

PERMALINK – [Reference: Baihn, N, Permalink, UTS Online Glossary of Terms Forum Post, Aug 9, 2007].

‘Permalinks are used in blogs and allow older content to be archived and retrieved by creating a permanent hyperlink to the archived post or blog entry’.

Reference: Sebastien Paquet, Personal knowledge publishing and its uses in research, Version 1.0, October 1st, 2002. (accessed from UTS Online).

Activity 1.3 – Technology Options

• Components of eLearning I have experienced:

I have personally experienced video, online quizzes, email, chat, and discussion forums. I completed my Cert IV WTA via OTEN and was introduced to the use of the Janison Platform as the course was delivered entirely online. I was also introduced to UTS Online which uses the Blackboard Academic Suite Platform, Hotlists and I think it was Furl last year in the Using IT for Learning subject.

• Methods of Delivery in My Work Context:

In my work I have had experience with Microsoft Sharepoint, email, Smartboards, the Hairdressing Cybersalon, and Short Cuts Salon Software System. Obviously I have used videos, DVDs, CD-Roms, and PowerPoint as well. I have attended quite a few staff development activities where the use of eLearning in TAFE was discussed.

• Methods of Delivery I Have Experienced?

I have experienced distance eLearning when enrolled as a student at OTEN, along with traditional face-to-face, self-paced, and some flexible delivery.

• How Do These Relate to the Definitions of eLearning Outlined in Earlier Readings?

OTEN was definitely eLearning. A combination of eLearning and traditional face-to-face methods would be considered as what has been termed – blended learning.

Activity 1.4 – Resources: eZines & eNewsletters

• What is an eZine?

An eZine is an online electronic newsletter that may or may not be distributed by email.

• What is an eNewsletter?

An eNewsletter is an electronic newsletter delivered online via the web or email.

• How Do You Judge Their Relevance?

Depends on the source of information. It is also a good idea to if you have bookmarked them on Del.icio.us to see how many other people have done the same.

• Where Do You Start Searching?

The internet using a search engine such as Google. Known websites that have content you are interested may have an RSS feed for latest information and news updates available.

• How Do You Subscribe?

You can subscribe by using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to deliver them straight to your computer or onto a site such as Netvibes. Alternatively you can subscribe via email.

• Useful URLs:

ICVETezine is a good one, as is Flex enews.  Check out my blog for many more or my eLExp Del.icio.us tab.

Activity 1.5 – Bookmarking and Aggregation

• What is Social Bookmarking?

Social Bookmarking is a list of favourites or bookmarks that can be shared with others and accessed from any computer.

• How could it be used in this subject?

Social Bookmarking can be used in this subject to enable students to share sources of information. This will be done via the use of Del.icio.us. Each student will set up an account as part of Module One.  An agreed upon tag (eLExp) will be used to save valuable websites to so that others can access them as well.

• What is Aggregation?

An aggregator is a piece of software that allows you to subscribe to other sites. Updates are then automatically downloaded for you.

• What is RSS?

RSS is Really Simple Syndication. This is a form of coding that helps you subscribe to these feeds or web pages.

•  How can these be used in this subject?

In this subject we will be using Netvibes (which is an aggregator) to subscribe to feeds from valuable sites that can then be shared with others. All students will setup a Netvibes account as part of Module One.

Activity 1.6 – Weblogs

• What is a Weblog?

This can be located at the following link to a previous blog post addressing this question.

http://baihnygirl.edublogs.org/2007/08/10/definitions-of-the-term-weblog/

Activity 1.7 – Advantages & Disadvantages of eLearning

• Personal belief on some advantages of eLearning

1. It can be done anywhere and at anytime that there is a computer and an internet connection.
2. Caters to a wide range of learning styles.

• Personal belief on some disadvantages of eLearning

1. It may be hard for learners with disabilities.
2. Initial cost to setup is expensive.
3. Requires users to have access to a computer and the internet.
4. Assumes learners are competent at utilising the required technologies; this is not always the case.
5. Computer literacy is a must.

The following link will take you to an earlier post on my blog which contains a link to a document on Barriers to eLearning.

http://baihnygirl.edublogs.org/2007/08/25/barriers-to-elearning/