Using Open Source & Freeware in Online Education

What’s Knowplace? An online learning community offering: 8 online certificate programs in co-operation with our public and private partners to guide people to transfer their skills online; 8 online certificate programs in co-operation with our public and private partners to guide people to transfer their skills online; Hosting and support to learning communities; Hosting and support to learning communities; Topic-specific online workshops and presentations; Topic-specific online workshops and presentations; Support for others to work with their clients or students. Support for others to work with their clients or students.

A Public/Private Partnership & Working in partnership to offer…

3 Teach and Design Online Certificate Program … 8 certificate programs in three areas directly related to Online Teaching Focus on the skills of course design and delivery

3 Open Source Certificate Programs Certificate Programs cont. Focus on the technical aspects of online course delivery

2 Specialized Certificate Programs Certificate Programs cont. eModerator eCareerCoach

Environment Discussion boards Discussion boards Moderated forums Moderated forums Blogs Blogs Webpage Postings Webpage Postings Webcasts Webcasts WebQuests/Search Tools WebQuests/Search Tools Asynchronous and synchronous chats Asynchronous and synchronous chats Instant Messaging Instant Messaging Listserves Listserves

It’s about friendship, collegiality and sharing: Leading Edge technology Leading Edge technology Well positioned to rival if not surpass proprietary systems in 3 – 5 years Well positioned to rival if not surpass proprietary systems in 3 – 5 years Product always improves … quickly! Product always improves … quickly! Open Source?

Why does Knowplace use Freeware and Open Source? Great for not-for-profits or education institutions (our target audience) Can re-arrange open source to suit purposes They’re free, no set-up or recurring charges

Some Examples Open Source? An alternative to MS Office is: Open Office An alternative to MS paint is GIMP An alternative to WebCT is Moodle

Some Examples Freeware ? search search engines: instant message clients: computer security:

Open Source? A robust active community of both programmers and users A robust active community of both programmers and users Well-written download and installation instructions Well-written download and installation instructions Frequent, stable releases of new versions Frequent, stable releases of new versionsFreeware? Tools that work for you! Tools that work for you! What Constitutes Quality?

The BIG Question How do you coach a client or teach a student you don't see in person?

The next question? How does knowplace use open source and freeware with our virtual: Members Students Students Colleagues Colleagues Clients Clients Peers Peers

Learning Management Systems Track and manage students Track and manage students Talk to the students Talk to the students Provide information and content Provide information and content

An open source Learning Management System that has gained an international reputation as a feature rich, stable environment.. Moodle.org has over 1200 registered sites in over 75 countries. Canada has approximately 46 active sites

Moodle features include (but not limited to): Synchronous Chats, Synchronous Chats,  A variety of quizzes,  Private dialogues,  Glossary,  Personal Reflection Journals,  Lessons,  Resources  Survey,  Grades (with customized scales), User logging and tracking

Rooted in social constructivism theory, members are able to build on each other’s thoughts and ideas. Moodle has three asynchronous discussion forum formats : Social, Social, Topical, and Topical, and Weekly Weekly

Began April 2004 Began April 2004 Approximately 40 members Approximately 40 members It’s mission is to: It’s mission is to: Concentrate on localized issues such as promotion, adoption and local course development & sharing; Be an open resource to educators in K-12, colleges, universities and private colleges and businesses to co-operate and talk to other moodle users; Be an open resource to educators in K-12, colleges, universities and private colleges and businesses to co-operate and talk to other moodle users; Complement moodle.org; Complement moodle.org; Be an open repository to share course materials; and Be an open repository to share course materials; and Any institution or school district that offers courses using moodle could automatically claim to be part of the Moodle Consortium which may become a useful reference. Any institution or school district that offers courses using moodle could automatically claim to be part of the Moodle Consortium which may become a useful reference.

Asynchronous Tools Tapped In: Tapped In: Knowplace: Knowplace:

Asynchronous Tools List Serves for our: Knowmads (people behind the scenes) Knowmates (members) KnowNEWS (people who want to stay in touch with what we are doing) We use: Mailman: which permits: Archived messages Archived messages Messages sent to “Poster only” or “whole membership” Messages sent to “Poster only” or “whole membership”

Synchronous Communication Instant Messaging / Chat Freeware

Buddy List list of your contacts list of your contacts online status online status Login or logout notice Login or logout notice

Multi-Tasking with IM’s Multiple chats/clients Multiple chats/clients Variety of windows Variety of windows Different clients at the same time Different clients at the same time

Synchronous Communication Instant Messaging / Chat IM encryption software for instant messaging: roducts/sku_list_ims.jsp?lid=im_nws

Invitation Take a tour – visit and have a look around Take a tour – visit and have a look around Take a tour Take a tour Enter as a guest via the ‘curious about us?’ link and select “All Courses”. Enter as a guest via the ‘curious about us?’ link and select “All Courses”.

For more info Contact: Frances Long