Lessons learned from e-learning projects Mateja Verlic University of Maribor Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science University of Jyväskylä, September 2006

Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects2 Contents 1/2 Key-points about e-learning E-learning from different perspectives Experience from projects Moodle vs. Dokeos Lessons learned E-learning tips Best practices

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects3 Contents 2/2

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects4 Key points about e-learning Stimulates remote exchanges and collaboration Empowers the learner in every situation (learning at school, at university, at work, at home) Bringing learning to people, not people to learning AND

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects5 E-learning from different perspectives Participants in e-learning:  E-learner  E-mentor / e-teacher  Developer (designer) of e-materials  LMS administrator Different roles in:  Online communities and network  Learning management systems (LMS)

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects6 About projects 1/2 Phare Programme funded projects:  ROMB  TIBOR  DISNET Spreading computer literacy (ECDL Start) Four modules of ECDL Start:  Basic concepts of Information Technology (IT)  Information and communication (Internet)  Using the computer and managing files (Windows)  Word processing (Word)

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects7 About projects 2/2 Combined (blended) learning:  Some meetings in classroom  Most of the learning at home Common characteristics of learners:  Unemployed adults  Different ages ( )  Various levels of education (finished high school, university)  Various ICT skills

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects8 ROMB Specific characteristics of learners:  1st group: basic or no ICT skills  2nd group: basic to moderate ICT skills LMS used: Dokeos My roles:  E-learner  E-mentor Scheme:  1 classroom meeting per module  Exam in the last classroom meeting

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects9 ROMB: Dokeos system Materials:  SCORM  BitMedia environment Advantages  Attractive materials  Interactive animation Disadvantages  Authorware plug-in required  Long downloading times  Relatively complex user interface

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects10 ROMB: materials 1/3

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects11 ROMB: materials 2/3

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects12 ROMB: materials 3/3

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects13 TIBOR Specific charateristics of learners:  Unemployed adults from rural areas ECDL – additional 3 modules:  Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations My roles:  E-mentor  Developer  Administrator Scheme: 3 classroom meetings before e- learning

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects14 TIBOR: Moodle system Materials:  Simple HTML files  Demonstrations (Flash)  Intermediate quizzes Advantages  Simple user interface  Various web-browser support Disadvantages  Lower levels of interactivity  Flash plug-in needed for demonstration

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects15 TIBOR: materials 1/4

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects16 TIBOR: materials 2/4

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects17 TIBOR: materials 3/4

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects18 TIBOR: materials 4/4

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects19 DISNET Specific charateristics of learners:  People with special needs  Deaf and hard of hearing  Blind and weak-sighted My roles:  Developer  Administrator Scheme: 1 meeting per module, additional meetings possible, interpreter at exam

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects20 DISNET: Moodle system Materials:  Simple HTML files  Streaming video with interpreter  2 variations of materials (with/without interpreter) Advantages  Simple user interface  Accessibility Disadvantages  Lower levels of interactivity  Internet Explorer only

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects21 DISNET: materials 1/2

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects22 DISNET: materials 2/2

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects23 DISNET: Quizes Problem: including interpreter

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects24 Summary of material evaluation ROMBTIBORDISNET Simple user interface High level of interactivity Multiple browser support Accessibility Different skill levels Different learning styles

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects25 Moodle vs. Dokeos LMS comparison Administration Grading learners and monitoring their progress User-friendliness (learner, teacher, administator)

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects26 Learner’s perspective MoodleDokeos Simplicity of user interface Tools available Personalization

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects27 Teacher’s perspective MoodleDokeos Creating materials Adding materials Organizing materials Tracking users

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects28 Administrator’s perspective MoodleDokeos Importing users Managing users (groups) Managing system (overall)

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects29 Lessons learned 1/4 Get to know your...  Target group  LMS system  E-learning tools  Yourself

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects30 Lessons learned 2/4 Get to know your public  What makes them tick?  Level of ICT skills  Motivation  Expectations  Special requirements  Different styles of learning

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects31 Lessons learned 3/4 Get to know your LMS  How it works?  Tools available

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects32 Lessons learned 4/4 Get to know your tools  Forums (motivation to express themselves)  Chat-rooms (user connection, can server manage so many users) Get to know yourself  Time schedule for support  Motivation

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects33 E-learning tips e-Learning is more than online courses Content is not the answer to every learning problem Beauty is in the blend Learning solutions must be appropriate An LMS is not a necessary pre-requisite to e-learning Success measures should be clearly identified The right conditions need to be in place for e-learning to succeed Just do it!

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects34 Best practices Focus on the needs of the learner, not the trainer or institution Take advantage of the net: real-time, 24/7, anywhere, anytime Bring people together to collaborate and learn together Personalize, often by combining "learning objects" on the fly Offer more than one learning method, e.g. virtual classroom and simulation and self-paced instruction

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects35 Support tools CourseGenie MindManager SnagIt Camtasia

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects36 CourseGenie

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects37 MindManager

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects38 SnagIt

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects39 Camtasia

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects40 Thank you!

University of Jyväskylä, September 2006 Mateja Verlic: Lessons learned from e-learning projects41 Questions