1. Oideachas 2.0: Using Web 2.0 in the Irish Educational Context
Presented by Ronan Carty
Supervised by Damian Gordon
MSc in Computing (Information Technology)
Dublin Institute of Technology

2. Overview Who am I? What is my Masters research?
Survey of Computer Science Lecturers
Demo of Prototype Learning Environment

3. Who am I? MSc in Information Technology (DIT)
12 Month taught masters
12 Modules (6 per semester)
Research Dissertation (3 Months)
Here to speak with like-minded people

4. Research Topic Use of Web 2.0 Technology in Education
Survey of 100 Irish Computer Science Lecturers
Development of Prototype Learning Environment

5. Web 2.0

6. Web 2.0 in Education
Desilets (2004) conducted research to test if using a Wiki required technical ability, after a fifteen minute training session to a class of 15 children 8-9 years of age. The experiment conclusively found that there were minimal difficulties in the students using Wiki Pages.
Honegger (2005) identified potential barriers to the use of Wiki’s in education
Institution lacking Wiki servers,
Lecturers lacking Technical Skills,
Lacking WYSIWYG, Students required to edit Wiki’s using html.

7. Web 2.0 in Education
Bruns (2005) found that students can be reluctant to publish their work on websites in a less than perfect state.
Downes (2004) identifies a lecturer at the State University of New York whose media law class were rewarded with course credit for online discussion and use of blogs.
Horton (2006) found that control of an e-Learning environment encourages student motivation in education.

8. Survey
14 Questions
104 Computer Science Lecturers throughout Ireland’s Third Level Institutions
What technologies are in use
Opinions on Technology in the class room

9. What is Web 2.0?
“I have no idea”
“I have no direct experience of "Web 2.0", apart from hearing the term being used on an ever-increasing basis.”
“I'm an engineer, not a marketing droid, I don't describe anything as ‘Web 2.0'”
23% Skipped the question.

10. “I find the use of technology in the classroom motivates students.”

11. “My Institution should provide me with a choice of frameworks for the inclusion of technology into the modules I teach.”

12. Which of the following do you provide for your students in modules you teach?

13. If the resources were available, would you video record your lectures and make them available to students after each class?

14. Additional Comments Video Recording A Lecture
“Maybe for some 4th year course. Most likely for postgraduate courses.”
“I would not be comfortable with the idea of footage of my lectures being generally available and I don't feel comfortable being filmed during a lecture”
Many respondents expressed concern with Attendance levels

15. Additional Comments
“As a computing lecturer, I feel we don't use Web 2.0 enough (or technology in general).”
“(Web 2.0 tools) would encourage student conversations on particular topics. Would allow students to access missed lectures.”
“Could be useful tool’s to facilitate students in organising their work.”

16. Personalised Learning Environment
Student Portal and Lecturer Portal
An aid to the Lecture Hall. Not a replacement.
Click and Add System
Encourage use of Technology
Encourage choice of Learning Techniques
Encourage Sharing of Teaching Techniques

17. Benefits for Lecturers
Lowering the technological expertise
Lowering time required to implement technologically rich teaching methods
Library of available processes and modules
Scalable System

18. Benefits for Students Removing Barriers to Learning
One Log-In/One System
Pushing Data to students using RSS
Personalisation of students Learning Portal
Exposure to Technology
Varied Methods of Learning

19. Demonstration
Demo of Prototype Personalised Learning System…..

20. Summary Preparing Students Technology teaching Library
Customised Learning Environments
Time to take E-Learning back

21. Questions?