The videoconferencing learning environment: Technology, interaction and learning intersect

This paper is a study on the interaction patterns of distance learners enrolled in the Mathematics and Physics programmes of Universiti Sains Malaysia in the videoconferencing learning environment (VCLE). Interaction patterns are analysed in six randomly chosen videoconferencing sessions within one academic year. The findings show there are more interactions in the graphics display mode than the video display mode. The graphics display mode, which involves the simultaneous interaction of the teacher, students and course materials, shows greater student engagement in the VCLE. The focus on a three-component interaction in distance learning differs from previous studies which looked at distinct types of two-component interactions. The types of communicative interaction, in particular the explanatory and cognitive types which are dominant in the graphics display mode, are discussed within the construct of learning. The higher number of teacher-initiated interactions may also imply that the teacher plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining a community of inquiry focused on exploring and developing content as well as giving feedback on concepts, ideas or solutions.     

Dimensions of transactional distance in the world wide web learning environment: a factor analysis

Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance hypothesizes that distance is a pedagogical, not geographic phenomenon. It is a distance of understandings and perceptions that might lead to a communication gap or a psychological space of potential misunderstandings between people. Moore also suggests that this distance has to be overcome if effective, deliberate, planned learning is to occur. However, the conceptualizations of transactional distance in a telecommunication era have not been systematically addressed. Investigating 71 learners' experiences with WorldWide Web, this study examined the postulate of Moore's theory and identified the dimensions (factors) constituting transactional distance in such learning environment. Exploratory factor analysis using a principal axis factor method was carried out. It was concluded that this concept represented multifaceted ideas. Transactional distance consisted of four dimensions—instructor-learner, learner-learner, learner-content, and learner-interface transactional distance. The results inform researchers and practitioners of Web-based instruction concerning the factors of transactional distance that need to be taken into account and overcome in WWW courses.     

建设可享有优质教育资源的信息化学习环境

依托网络教学,建设"可享有优质教育资源的信息化学习环境"是教育部提出的发展规划。以工程制图课程为例,介绍了信息化学习环境的主要框架及其主要内容,阐述了在信息化环境中教师的角色变换和主要工作,并结合教学实践探索了适合网络学习的导学模式。     

Maximising the educational affordances of a technology supported learning environment for introductory undergraduate phonetics

New technologies afford a range of opportunities that can transform teaching techniques and offer enhanced possibilities for learning. This potential is often not grasped by the technologist or the educationalist when introducing new technologies into the learning situation and a situation arises which can be described as "New technology, no new pedagogy" This paper examines why this situation arises, before progressing to suggest a set of target areas the affordances of new technology ought to transform when introduced into the socio–cultural learning environment (Vygotsky, 1978). This set of target areas is illustrated through the presentation of a technology supported learning environment for introductory undergraduate phonetics. Each course module is discussed in relation to these targets and how the affordances of new technology are used to meet them. The student and lecturer reflections on the course indicate that the use of new technology as applied in this introductory undergraduate phonetics course was appropriate, although not always 100% successful.     

Broadband videoconferencing as a tool for learner-centred distance learning in higher education

This paper outlines the possibilities for using broadband videoconferencing within the larger context of changing the focus for teaching from the teacher to the learners. It also explores opportunities that might be created by this technology to facilitate learner‐centred engagement in learning and to provide new opportunities for collaboration and support for students studying by the distance mode. As part of the wider discussion, it presents a decision‐making framework for teachers to consider when integrating videoconferencing into their curriculum. The bandwidths possible from broadband Internet connection rather than the integrated services digital network transmission increase the richness of videoconferencing to a much closer approximation of natural communication, thus creating opportunities for more creative uses for the medium. The outcomes of trials undertaken at the University of New England during the last two years provide the basis for predicting the usefulness of the technology for learner‐centered interactions when the majority of students are learning from locations quite remote from the main campus.     

The quality of teaching and learning via videoconferencing

Now that videoconferencing is being widely used for the delivery of mass lectures between sites, there is concern that the quality of teaching and learning experienced, using this method of delivery, is not as good as that experienced in a traditional classroom situation. The study aimed to investigate this concern by using a research diary to collect information on classroom activities and cognitive outcomes which students at local and remote sites experienced over a ten–week period. The results indicated that remote site students did not experience the same quality of teaching and learning as local site students.     

The educational use of videoconferencing in the arts faculty: shedding a new light on puppetry

It is important for learners to be exposed to the real working world during their training in order to prepare them for their professional lives. The Department of Entertainment Technology, under the leadership of Zuanda Badenhorst, conducted a very exciting project with the Handspring Puppet Company while also making use of the newest learning technologies made available by the Department of Telematic Education, with Instructional Designer Mandi Axmann and Technical Manager Anette Sadie, at the Technikon Pretoria. This article reviews the educational use of videoconferencing as well as various considerations when implementing this medium     

Seeing is believing: the role of videoconferencing in distance learning

The potential of videoconferencing to enrich distance learning needs to be widely recognised as well as the technology embedded in curriculum delivery and in distance learning programmes. The argument is supported by reference to a wide range of case studies from the author's experiences over a period of six years as International Officer with the Western Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland, and to exemplars of good practice from other sources in different parts of the world. As videoconferencing becomes more widely available in schools and in public libraries, it is important that there is a new awareness of its vast potential in order to ensure that this technology is fully exploited for the benefit of learning communities.     

Teaching and learning by videoconferencing at the University of Ulster

The Open University has developed an array of tutorial and advisory services for its students over 16 years. These have been reviewed regularly for their academic appropriateness and effectiveness. More recently, urgent reductions in services have taken place, in response to financial restraints. During 1985, Mary Thorpe and colleagues in the Student Research Centre, the Institute of Educational Technology conducted in‐depth interviews with students and staff to explore their perceptions of studying with the Open University.     

为学思想撷要

儒家为学思想是不可绕过的思想资源,其"为学为己"、"学贵自得"、"得之自然"、"学者立志"、"学贵于通"五个方面具有内在联系,是儒家为学思想的精髓。     

Modelling a learning environment: Towards a learning organization

Abstract

The role of the academic developer mirrors that of the current day academic. It is increasingly diverse and complex. Staff employed in academic development units are expected to respond to the needs of individual academics and are also expected to provide leadership in teaching and learning, conduct research into higher education, contribute to policy on a broad range of issues, and undertake community service. In addition they are expected to take responsibility for their own professional development. They are constantlyjuggling priorities of personal, professional and organizational commitments. To maintain competence in the face of multiple demands there must be significant overlap between work and learning. The learning opportunities inherent in working within a large multi‐dimensional organization must be acknowledged and embraced through the concept of a ‘learning organization’. It is important that the organizational culture of the Academic Development Unit (ADU) values learning, encourages reflection and fosters collaborative practice. This paper outlines an organizational model of academic development highlighting the opportunities for intervention at the level of organizational culture, staff development and student learning. It also suggests strategies for organizing and managing an ADU that provides a positive model of an effective working and learning environment.     

服务于学习化社会的教育资源共享——论陕西远程教育教学资源库构建的价值

学习化社会是一个以终身教育体系为基础,能够充分满足全民终身学习多样化需求的社会。陕西省远程教育教学资源库的构建对建立学习化社会具有极为重要的价值,它能整合全省优质资源,实现教育资源最大限度地共享;它将优势资源与区域发展相结合,促进本土特色教育资源与经济的发展;它可以为学习化社会搭建教学资源平台;此外,远程学习不仅能满足全体社会成员的学习需要,而且也实现了学习者个别化学习的需求,成为学习化社会的重要途径。     

Student activity and learning outcomes in a virtual learning environment

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between degree of participation and learning outcomes in an e-learning course on medical informatics. Overall activity in using course materials and degree of participation in the discussion forums of an online course were studied among 39 medical students. Students were able to utilise the course material in discussion groups focusing on the lectures, quizzes and students’ own notes. Each student’s data recording of activities and individual participation in discussion in the online course was analysed in order to assess which activities predicted learning outcome. Higher course grades were associated with studying the course material frequently and also with regular participation in reading postings and replying to them. There were no connections between learning outcome and the students’ original contributions to the discussion forums. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female students in how they utilised the various components of the learning material.     

Embodying emotions: making transactions explicit in science learning contexts

In this Forum paper we synthesize some of the main ideas from three papers: Auli Orlander and Per-Olof Wickman’s (Cult Stud Sci 6, 2011), Bodily experiences in secondary school biology, Roger Sages’ (Cult Stud Sci Educ 6, 2011), About Descartes: Uses and misuses, and Steve Alsop’s (Cult Stud Sci Educ 6, 2011), The body bites back! These papers challenged us to identify how emotions functioned as elements of bodily experiences in classroom transactions and why science teachers often are not responsive to students’ emoting. We also explored how teachers making use of curriculum and companion meanings could support the construction of learning environments that more productively support students’ science learning.     

Students' experiences of learning in a research environment

Research into the research–teaching ‘nexus’ has undergone significant changes in focus and methodology. From an initial quantitative concern with correlating measurements of research productivity and teaching effectiveness, the empirical emphasis has shifted in favour of exploring the experiences of participants (academics and students). This paper reports the findings of interviews carried out in a New Zealand university with 34 students studying across a range of levels in physics, geography and English. In particular, it focuses on students’ understandings of the purpose of a university education and on students’ experiences of research—how ‘visible’ it is for them, where it is located and who engages in it. Analysis reveals that students’ relationship with research varies across the disciplines in both a spatial and temporal dimension according to the ways in which knowledge is conceived of and explored. Accordingly, some students have an early sense of proximity to and/or participation in a research community, while for others, research remains, through their undergraduate years, a remote phenomenon.     

Exploring educators’ professional learning ecologies in a blended learning environment

In recent years the concept of learning ecology has been interpreted in different ways to highlight its potential for learning and professional development. However, there are several aspects that still deserve to be understood such as, eg, the role that the different contexts come to play within a learning ecology. For this purpose, this paper presents and discusses the results of a study exploring the learning ecologies of educators in a blended programme delivered in higher education. The participants in the study were 85 professionals in the field of education aged between 28 and 58 years. The research design adopted here can be defined as a convergent mixed method where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through an e-portfolio. The study found that educators in the sample had different postures, of whom some more aware of their professional roles or Self than others. Moreover, different professional identities seemed to be linked to different learning ecologies, where elements like formal or informal education, cultural artefacts, personal experiences, colleagues or work experiences played a different role. Formal education emerged as having a questionable function, while colleagues came up as a crucial resource.     

A cross-cultural study of self-regulated learning in a computer-supported collaborative learning environment

Self-regulated learning (SRL) actions of 30 Canadian and 30 Chinese university students were studied in a face-to-face problem-based learning environment. Participants were randomly assigned to work in dyads consisting of Chinese, Canadian, or mixed Chinese–Canadian pairs to learn Analysis of Variance collaboratively using a computer coach. Dialog segments were coded in terms of types of SRL actions, and whether an action was individually (IND) or socially (SOC) oriented. Canadian pairs produced significantly higher proportions of IND-SRL actions relative to SOC-SRL actions (higher odds ratios) than Chinese pairs, but the odds ratios for mixed pairs were similar to those for Canadian pairs. This effect of cultural composition of dyads for the Canadian and Chinese pairs was replicated in a comparison of Canadian and Chinese participants within the mixed pairs dyads. These results have implications for a socio-cultural account of SRL.     

高等学校的教育制度缺失与教育行为失范

教育改革的过程实际上就是教育制度变迁的过程,在制度变迁过程中由于多种制度杂然并存、相互冲突使教育行为无所适从,从而导致教育行为失范,而教育行为失范的背后实际上隐含的是教育资源的浪费.因此,遏制由于教育制度缺失而带来的教育行为失范从某种意义上讲就是提高了教育资源的利用效率.     

The role of learning at a distance in national educational systems

This paper argues that, while distance education may have a continuing role as ‘complementary’ education, it is better viewed as part of the resources of the total life‐long education process. Any face‐to‐face classroom teacher exercises a range of options in catering for individual needs. Distance education is surely one of the wider range of options available to every teacher, and to any individual with capacity for independent learning.

To suggest that the attractiveness of distance education lies in its potential for economies of scale may not only under‐value the capacity of distance education to satisfy a wide range of needs but also lend support to the notion that cheap education is the paramount criterion in assessing the efficacy of the educational process.