Communication, Technology, and Effective Integration for Teaching and Learning Academic Technologies for Learning University of Alberta

Introduction Facilities and Services –Conferences and meetings –Videoconferences eLearning and Instructional Design –Synchronous online learning –Asynchronous learning ATL’s Mission –Agents of change; Capacity builders –Effective use of technology in teaching & learning

Facilities and Services TELUS Centre for Professional Development –Conferences –Meeting rooms; breakout rooms –Auditorium and classrooms –ISDN-based videoconferencing

eLearning & Instructional Design Academic Technologies for Learning –Synchronous online learning –Asynchronous learning –Needs assessment & Evaluation –Success stories

Synchronous online learning Learning in which interaction between instructors and students occurs at the same time, or in real-time It is time-dependent learning Synchronous events could be one-way (instructor to students) or two-way participation via text, audio or video

Synchronous Options Synchronous physical formats (traditional, live face-to-face) Synchronous Text Chat Audio Streaming WebCasting Virtual Classroom

Synchronous Text Chat Examples: Within WebCT Instant Messenger

Audio Streaming Live synchronous event similar to a webcast Archived audio file for on-demand streaming Multiple bandwidths supported Example: –Munimall; virtual meeting place for municipal and provincial affairs Cost: $500 - $800 per 1 hr. event

WebCasting selus.teluscentre.ualberta.ca/webcast/streamdemo/

Webcasting Examples Used Webcasting for: –Guest speaker with Rural Economy –Venture Magazine – student panel presentations –Leonard Cohen Night – atmosphere, music, reciting of poetry, singing for international audience Cost: $700 - $1,000 per 1 hr. event

Synchronous Virtual Classroom Centra ‘Symposium’ –IP-based audio conferencing and virtual classroom software

Centra User-interface

Example: Health Care Industry Used virtual classroom software for professional development seminar for health care professionals across Alberta, nationally, and internationally –International TB consulting course with Faculty of Medicine –Sessions with Clinical Health Sciences –Sessions with Continuing Medical Education –Sessions with Merck Frosst (pharmaceutical company) Centra Sessions: $700 - $1,000 per hour event

Benefits of Synchronous Learning Benefits include: Learners can ask questions directly Learners receive immediate feedback Familiarity of classroom model The ability to create content quickly

Asynchronous (time independent and self-paced)

WebCT Course Example

Discussion Boards

Benefits of Asynchronous Learning Benefits include: Participants can complete content on their own time schedule Participants can complete content in any place Participants control pace of instruction Allows time for reflection

Needs Assessment Selecting Appropriate Delivery Tools “Media selection must be based on the learning context, the skills to be taught, the practicality of the situation, and what the theory indicated would be appropriate.” Dick and Carey (1996)

Selecting Appropriate Delivery Tool The following considerations should be made: Type of content Audience characteristics (tight schedules, travel expenses, no time off work) Environmental characteristics Cost and time to produce Available resources and materials

Example Success Story; TB Consulting Course Tuberculosis training with Dr. Anne Fanning and other world recognized medical practitioners A WebCT component (website) –Asynchronous Self-paced online modules –Discussion board –Posting of assignments and feedback A virtual classroom (Centra Symposium) –2 online sessions per month –Live presentation of information –Live Discussion of topics and assignments One face-to-face wrap up session for review

How to Proceed If you are interested but not sure what to do: Discuss needs with an instructional designer at ATL Consider a number of factors (i.e. audience, environment, content, budget) Outline potential possibilities Start planning early on!!!

Summary The University of Alberta and Academic Technologies for Learning Indisputably recognized in the areas of educational research and evaluation Experts in technology-enhanced teaching and learning