1. Get online with a little help from your friends Academics using myUnisa Leonie Steyn Sakai Conference December 2006

2. The helping friends  Introduction  The way Unisa blends  Blended learning as a means to enhance open distance learning  Examples  Accommodate those without access  Conclusion

3. Introduction Distance learning  Distance learning preferred mode of learning  Unisa - 250 000 students  Majority of Unisa teaching via printed medium  Face-to-face learner support  myUnisa birth 2005

4. Unisa students worldwide Americas EuropeAsia Africa Oceania 2004 - 573 2005 - 539 2006 - 489 2004 - 220 950 2005 - 230 494 2006 - 241 303 2004 - 273 2005 - 264 2006 - 276 2004 - 693 2005 - 712 2006 - 746 2004 - 2 393 2005 - 2 282 2006 - 2 061

5. Features required

6. Desired features

7. Learning support  Very diverse student group  Create learning site that provides Easily accessible content Active learning environments vs passive distance learning Global skills & information Resources Support  Sense of community

8. The Way Unisa Blends  Not Face-to-face learning vs e-learning  Paper based learning supported by e-learning/online learning Video Satellite Face to face

9. Increases Interaction  Interaction with content  Interaction with lecturer and fellow learners  Interaction with self  Activities, resources, multi-media, online assessment  Discussion forums & emails  Online portfolios & self assessment activities

10. Continuum of tools used Announcements Schedule Resources E-mail Discussion Forums Welcome page Minimum presenceEven more…Additional features FAQs Online assessment Web pages In addition to print-based learning materials such as study guides, tutorial letters, etc, online support in the form of Usage depends upon: o Class size o Course demands o Student needs

11. Teaching and learning with myUnisa  The following are examples of how lecturers use myUnisa for teaching and learning

12. myUnisa Home page

13. Message of the day

14. Welcome message: Generic

15. Welcome message

17. Resources page: Generic

18. Official Resources

19. Resources page

20. Resource page: Articles

21. Resources: Direct links

22. Announcement page

23. Announcements

24. Example: Announcement

25. Announcement: Teaching and learning

26. Resources

27. Resources with attachments

28. Discussion forum

29. Posted message

30. Teaching and learning: Feedback

33. Teaching and learning: Discussion forum

35. Student learning

36. Message of the day

37. FAQs

39. FAQ

40. Accommodate those without access  Online components optional: “Compelling, not compulsory”  Summaries of discussion forums  Print lists of additional resources  Immediate feedback into print materials  QA  Motivate for more student access