. . Rebooting Education eLearning that works Diipak Gupta Gaurav Bansal

© 2009 by Diipak Gupta, Gaurav Bansal Copyright holder is licensing this under the Creative Commons License, Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/ Special thanks to Shailza Gupta who read ten drafts of this ebook and provided tons of valuable advice to make it read better. Please feel free to post this on your blog or email it to whomever you believe would benefit from reading it. Thank you.

Rebooting education APPENDIX C – DISTANCE LEARNING AND HISTORY OF USE OF TECHNOLOGY APPENDIX D - USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO DELIVER EDUCATION IN INDIA APPENDIX B - SAAS KA BAAP APPENDIX A – CONSOLIDATION IN EDUCATION INDUSTRY BIGGYAN – THE COMPLETE SOLUTION HOW TO USE MOODLE? FINALS – BLACKBOARD VS MOODLE HOW TO START ERIC MODEL eLEARNING STRATEGY OPEN SOURCE TOOLS AND COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE eLEARNING + DISTANCE LEARNING = VIRTUAL CLASSROOM eLEARNING + CLASSROOM BASED STUDY = BLENDED LEARNING CLASSROOM AS WE KNOW IT EDUCATION - A LITTLE HISTORY PAGE 10 CHANGE HAS COME TO EDUCATION eLEARNING - AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME WHAT EXACTLY IS ELEARNING ??? PAGE 15 HOW EXACTLY TO DO IT? – ONLY WAY TO LEARN ANYTHING IS BY DOING IT PAGE 18 WHY YOU DON’T WANT AN eLEARNING SOLUTION? FRANKLY I DON’T KNOW. PAGE 25 DISTANCE LEARNING ABOUT THE AUTHOR BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM SHAKING-UP – CHANGING THE STATUS QUO PAGE 1

Shaking up George Bush - "Either you are with us or against us", said Bush after 9/11. In general, public thinks lowly about him for his aggressiveness. However, the results of his actions cannot be denied - No terrorist attack on American soil since 2001. That’s the kind of people we need today. He has been my champion, a hero. He accepted the changing circumstances and did what was required. He showed he was in command and shook the world to get results he wanted, namely security. Drawing a metaphor from there. The education industry is changing and most institutes are not even aware of it or they don’t want to accept the changing circumstances so that they can continue working as they having being doing. Believe me they have no chance of surviving. This book has been written for people who want to be champions at their institutes/companies and take it to the next level. Please close the book here only if that is not your purpose. But remember - Either you are with us or you are going to behind everybody. However, in case you decide to continue, I am going to show you the way through this. Together, we are going to embrace the change and shake your institute/company. “ In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

George Bush - "Either you are with us or against us", said Bush after 9/11. In general, public thinks lowly about him for his aggressiveness. However, the results of his actions cannot be denied - No terrorist attack on American soil since 2001. That’s the kind of people we need today. He has been my champion, a hero. He accepted the changing circumstances and did what was required. He showed he was in command and shook the world to get results he wanted, namely security.

Drawing a metaphor from there. The education industry is changing and most institutes are not even aware of it or they don’t want to accept the changing circumstances so that they can continue working as they having being doing. Believe me they have no chance of surviving. This book has been written for people who want to be champions at their institutes/companies and take it to the next level. Please close the book here only if that is not your purpose. But remember - Either you are with us or you are going to behind everybody. However, in case you decide to continue, I am going to show you the way through this. Together, we are going to embrace the change and shake your institute/company.

eLearning - An idea whose time has come Remember, there is nothing more powerful than idea whose time has come. The people and the companies who ignore this fundamental business reality have and will lose huge amount of time and money because of this attitude. Today, IBM could have been in a position where they controlled the whole personal computer business (Microsoft plus Apple). They lost the crucial first mover advantage. By the time they came to their nerves, Steve Jobs had got them labeled as uncreative, near-sighted, bureaucratic company and reduced them to a wannabe in PC business. From being the top company in technology business for about 50 years, IBM came to a near bankruptcy in early 1990s. It is painful to see such great companies make such errors of judgment. Every age has a rage, for this age it is Internet. No matter what business you are in, technology is making everybody change. Everything is going online. Either you change with it and use it to your benefit or you will be eliminated from the business. Never say no to progress as it is inevitable. People made such errors and will continue to make it. Here are some prime examples. "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." -- Thomas Watson, founder and chairman of IBM, 1943. "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." -- Western Union internal memo, 1876. "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?" - This is what H. M. Warner of Warner Brothers studio said on movies with sound.

Remember, there is nothing more powerful than idea whose time has come. The people and the companies who ignore this fundamental business reality have and will lose huge amount of time and money because of this attitude. Today, IBM could have been in a position where they controlled the whole personal computer business (Microsoft plus Apple). They lost the crucial first mover advantage. By the time they came to their nerves, Steve Jobs had got them labeled as uncreative, near-sighted, bureaucratic company and reduced them to a wannabe in PC business. From being the top company in technology business for about 50 years, IBM came to a near bankruptcy in early 1990s.

It is painful to see such great companies make such errors of judgment.

Every age has a rage, for this age it is Internet. No matter what business you are in, technology is making everybody change. Everything is going online. Either you change with it and use it to your benefit or you will be eliminated from the business.

Change has come to education A change has come to education, embrace it. The change that is required is not only in terms of operational changes, it requires a change in your attitude. It requires a shake up of your beliefs. In case you are ready to make the change, I can assure you that benefits will be huge both professionally as well as personally for having done what is right for you and your students. I have pitched for BigGyan at many educational institutes and I have success rate of 95%. After one such presentation, the Principal of the institute called me a corporate raider. He said after this presentation there is no way he can say no to eLearning . I told him that I am not a corporate raider may be a thought raider and frankly I am successful at this not only because that we have a great product, a great service or the way I pitch, it is also due to the fact that I am selling something whose time has come. Last chapter – why u don’t want BigGyan. Moments like these are shake up in my life and make me love my job. I think now I do this job for just this feeling. To be able to help someone make the transition and go to the next level is a greatly satisfying feeling. Michel Foucault “ The work of an intellectual is not to mould the political will of others; it is, through the analyses that he does in his own field, to re-examine evidence and assumptions, to shake up habitual ways of working and thinking , to dissipate conventional familiarities, to re-evaluate rules and institutions and to participate in the formation of a political will.” I am no intellectual like Foucault, but my goal is not less than shaking up habitual ways of working and thinking.

A change has come to education, embrace it. The change that is required is not only in terms of operational changes, it requires a change in your attitude. It requires a shake up of your beliefs. In case you are ready to make the change, I can assure you that benefits will be huge both professionally as well as personally for having done what is right for you and your students.

I have pitched for BigGyan at many educational institutes and I have success rate of 95%. After one such presentation, the Principal of the institute called me a corporate raider. He said after this presentation there is no way he can say no to eLearning . I told him that I am not a corporate raider may be a thought raider and frankly I am successful at this not only because that we have a great product, a great service or the way I pitch, it is also due to the fact that I am selling something whose time has come. Last chapter – why u don’t want BigGyan.

Moments like these are shake up in my life and make me love my job. I think now I do this job for just this feeling. To be able to help someone make the transition and go to the next level is a greatly satisfying feeling.

Michel Foucault

“ The work of an intellectual is not to mould the political will of others; it is, through the analyses that he does in his own field, to re-examine evidence and assumptions, to shake up habitual ways of working and thinking , to dissipate conventional familiarities, to re-evaluate rules and institutions and to participate in the formation of a political will.”

Why you don’t want an elearning solution?? In my interactions with clients, I have come across various reasons why they don’t want to implement an elearning solution. These are legitimate reasons and are concern areas. At the end of this book, I will pick each of these and show you how we have solved all problems with elearning with BigGyan . REASON 1 - It is a costly option. REASON 2 - It requires that educational institute to set up and manage computer network and software. REASON 3 - Requires a lot of effort – new people, new kind of work, all teachers are not computer professionals. REASON 4 - Is it really going to help students? REASON 5 - Extra work for teachers. REASON 6 - Paradigm shift in learning environments. REASON 7 - Not many educational institutes are using it, anyway. REASON 8 - No monetary benefit.

Education - A little history Only way to really learn anything is by studying history of it. I will use following chapters to build up the context for my later chapters and to show why we are where we are and how all this is interconnected. Until the British came to India, education in India was primarily dominated by Guru-Shisya parampara (Teacher-student tradition). The epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata aptly capture the education environment in such times. Guru (the teacher) imparted his knowledge to Shisya (the student) and was considered above God. The single biggest advantage of this system was deep bonding between teachers and students as a Shisyas used to dedicate 10 to 15 years of their lives serving and living with Guru in a Gurukul (a school). At the end of the education, the student gave Guru Dakshina (fee) to the Guru. However, only a handful of Shisyas could be educated by the system. As many parents would not want to be separated from their children from 10-15 formative years fo their lives. Moreover, the education was very much dependant on the Guru, in terms of what he wanted to teach or knew. Students/parents had no say at all as far as the course curriculum was concerned. In most scenarios students/parents didn’t even had any preference as they didn’t knew what was useful.

Only way to really learn anything is by studying history of it. I will use following chapters to build up the context for my later chapters and to show why we are where we are and how all this is interconnected.

Until the British came to India, education in India was primarily dominated by Guru-Shisya parampara (Teacher-student tradition). The epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata aptly capture the education environment in such times. Guru (the teacher) imparted his knowledge to Shisya (the student) and was considered above God. The single biggest advantage of this system was deep bonding between teachers and students as a Shisyas used to dedicate 10 to 15 years of their lives serving and living with Guru in a Gurukul (a school). At the end of the education, the student gave Guru Dakshina (fee) to the Guru. However, only a handful of Shisyas could be educated by the system. As many parents would not want to be separated from their children from 10-15 formative years fo their lives. Moreover, the education was very much dependant on the Guru, in terms of what he wanted to teach or knew. Students/parents had no say at all as far as the course curriculum was concerned. In most scenarios students/parents didn’t even had any preference as they didn’t knew what was useful.

British education system With the advent of British in India, they brought in their productized/processised education system. This probably was the single biggest positive contribution of British to India. The new education system was a more “scientific” way of teaching – it entailed that some basic skills like writing, reading and listening were taught first. Thereafter, as the child grows and her capabilities increase she would be introduced to other subjects like mathematics, science, social studies and languages. For a period the student is taught these subjects to a basic level. Thereafter, student/parents have option what to pursue next based on student's interests and social/economic environment prevailing at the time. This new system could teach more students and finally became a de-facto method of teaching students.

With the advent of British in India, they brought in their productized/processised education system. This probably was the single biggest positive contribution of British to India.

The new education system was a more “scientific” way of teaching – it entailed that some basic skills like writing, reading and listening were taught first. Thereafter, as the child grows and her capabilities increase she would be introduced to other subjects like mathematics, science, social studies and languages. For a period the student is taught these subjects to a basic level. Thereafter, student/parents have option what to pursue next based on student's interests and social/economic environment prevailing at the time.

Classroom as we know it Today classroom as we know it is a room in which teaching or learning activities can take place. Typical classroom will include a large writing surface (a blackboard or a whiteboard) where the instructor or students can share notes, graphs and drawings (with limited detail) with other members of the class. Challenges to the classroom While the classroom is clearly the dominant setting for learning, the flexibility of classroom instruction is often called into question. Teachers are unable to use interactive graphs and animations, videos to enhance students learning experience. Further, learning is limited to classroom only. Outside classroom there is a disconnect among students themselves and also between students and teachers. Before seeing how elearning completely transforms classroom based study, lets see another way of teaching apart from classroom based study.

Distance learning Distance learning is the poor cousin of classroom based learning. Lets start with it’s history. When was it first used? Where was it first used? As a concept it has existed since long. We all know the story of "Eklavya and Dronacharya“ in the great epic of Mahabharta. Eklavya, an aspiring Shisya was refused education by Dronacharya (Guru). Yet he managed to learn without direct contact with guru. He acquired skills and knowledge of the level of Arjuna (who was best student of Dronacharya) bu watching him from a distance. He was the first person to have learnt using distance learning (at least in the mythology). Conceptually, it was the first time Indian education system was shaken. Much has changed since then. But it gave an idea teachers presence enhances the effect of content but content is king. Since then the question has always been - how much distance. Read some examples on right. 1. In 1728: Boston Gazette published an advertisement regarding teaching short hand by sending Lessons weekly to interested learners. 2. First institution sponsored distance education began in the United States in 1874 at Illinois Wesleyan University. 3. First dedicated university for correspondence was setup in 1883: The Correspondence University of Ithaca, New York (a correspondence school) was founded in 1883. 4. The term “distance education” was first used in a catalog for 1892 of University of Wisconsin-Madison. 5. In a short story “The Machine Stops” (published in 1909), E.M.Forster describes an audio/video communication network used to deliver lectures a remote audience. To read more about of use of technology for providing education in India and Abroad, see my blog post -

Distance learning is the poor cousin of classroom based learning.

Lets start with it’s history. When was it first used? Where was it first used?

As a concept it has existed since long. We all know the story of "Eklavya and Dronacharya“ in the great epic of Mahabharta. Eklavya, an aspiring Shisya was refused education by Dronacharya (Guru). Yet he managed to learn without direct contact with guru. He acquired skills and knowledge of the level of Arjuna (who was best student of Dronacharya) bu watching him from a distance. He was the first person to have learnt using distance learning (at least in the mythology). Conceptually, it was the first time Indian education system was shaken. Much has changed since then. But it gave an idea teachers presence enhances the effect of content but content is king.

Since then the question has always been - how much distance. Read some examples on right.

What exactly is elearning ??? One way to judge importance of a concept is by seeing how many definitions the concept has been given. A quick search on internet gives more than100 different definitions for elearning. The reason for this is simple – People give definition based on their use case or sometime based on the underlying technology domain. Well, technology is just enabler and can be ignored as it just the backend. But elearning has been used in various scenarios to accomplish varied objectives (more in latter sections) making it a broad concept. Such broad concepts do not easily submit to a single definition. But we need a definition to clarify what are we talking about. Below, see my attempt to define elearning. eLearning is a very broad term, it signifies a whole ecosystem that provides a platform for providing multimedia enhanced lecture material to students and more importantly a platform for students and teachers to exchange ideas and discuss issues out as they would do in normal classroom based study.

One way to judge importance of a concept is by seeing how many definitions the concept has been given. A quick search on internet gives more than100 different definitions for elearning. The reason for this is simple – People give definition based on their use case or sometime based on the underlying technology domain. Well, technology is just enabler and can be ignored as it just the backend.

But elearning has been used in various scenarios to accomplish varied objectives (more in latter sections) making it a broad concept. Such broad concepts do not easily submit to a single definition. But we need a definition to clarify what are we talking about. Below, see my attempt to define elearning.

eLearning is a very broad term, it signifies a whole ecosystem that provides a platform for providing multimedia enhanced lecture material to students and more importantly a platform for students and teachers to exchange ideas and discuss issues out as they would do in normal classroom based study.

eLearning + classroom based study = Blended learning eLearning enhanced classroom study is sometimes also called blended learning . Teachers can use sections of online courses in their classrooms in case they have necessary infrastructure in the classroom ( that is a computer and one of a monitor, a TV or a projector). They can open the online courses on their computers and show the relevant sections (images, presentations , videos, websites) to students. Incase, necessary infrastructure is not currently available, the blended learning still works perfectly, as the students can view multimedia outside classroom (at home or computer lab). Moreover, teachers and students can interact among themselves even when they are not in the class. They can engage in many activities like workshops, projects, online discussions, quizzes.

eLearning enhanced classroom study is

sometimes also called blended learning .

Teachers can use sections of online courses in

their classrooms in case they have necessary

infrastructure in the classroom ( that is a

computer and one of a monitor, a TV or a

projector). They can open the online courses

on their computers and show the relevant

sections (images, presentations , videos,

websites) to students. Incase, necessary

infrastructure is not currently available, the

blended learning still works perfectly, as the

students can view multimedia outside

classroom (at home or computer lab).

Moreover, teachers and students can interact

among themselves even when they are not in

the class. They can engage in many activities

like workshops, projects, online discussions,

quizzes.

eLearning + distance learning = Virtual Classroom Distance learning (correspondence course) have been used to teach almost every subject. Distance learning has its advantages but is fundamentally flawed which results in minimal progress in students knowledge and skill set. People have tried to solve this issue by using technology such as television shows, dedicated satellites. However, industry does not treat these courses at par with normal classroom courses. The reason is that even though the students study the same content and write similar exams but there is some fundamental difference between the two pedagogical techniques. The buzz word is "interactivity." This is what distinguishes distance learning from classroom based study. The technology used till today to deliver distance learning courses limits interaction as mostly its one-way communciation, so you can receive data/information from the satellite but one cannot send information backwards. However, elearning solves the problem by making a virtual classroom for a distance learning and brings it at par with normal classroom based study.

Distance learning (correspondence course) have been used to teach almost every subject. Distance learning has its advantages but is fundamentally flawed which results in minimal progress in students knowledge and skill set. People have tried to solve this issue by using technology such as television shows, dedicated satellites. However, industry does not treat these courses at par with normal classroom courses. The reason is that even though the students study the same content and write similar exams but there is some fundamental difference between the two pedagogical techniques.

The buzz word is "interactivity." This is what distinguishes distance learning from classroom based study. The technology used till today to deliver distance learning courses limits interaction as mostly its one-way communciation, so you can receive data/information from the satellite but one cannot send information backwards. However, elearning solves the problem by making a virtual classroom for a distance learning and brings it at par with normal classroom based study.

How exactly to do it?

How exactly to do it?

eLearning strategy So now you have decided to incorporate elearning into your institute. How to start now? Which software to use? Incase, you want to start now and read more later….please We will get to the software part later. First, you need to decide your elearning strategy. It is not as difficult as it sounds. I will recommend a strategy that suits the Indian education system most. But it will be good to know about other strategies anyway. A pedagogic model defines a framework for deciding appropriate strategies to use to achieve learning outcomes. Such a framework is important for success of elearning program. It brings in clarity about the whole objective. On right, read about some pedagogic models that may be used for elearning offering. Some of pedagogic models are "learning by doing" (Schank, 1997),"problem based learning" (Barrows, 1994), "case-based learning" (Lynn, 1996; Chen et al, 2006), "learning by designing" (Naidu, Anderson, and Riddle, 2000), and “Experience-Reflect-Interact-Construct - ERIC” (Sharma and Mishra, 2007) that can be effectively utilized for eLearning . Each of these models may be used to accomplish a specific purpose. However, I recommend ERIC as it is a generic model and it fits works great with Indian education system.

So now you have decided to incorporate elearning into your institute. How to start now? Which software to use? Incase, you want to start now and read more later….please

We will get to the software part later. First, you need to decide your elearning strategy. It is not as difficult as it sounds. I will recommend a strategy that suits the Indian education system most.

But it will be good to know about other strategies anyway. A pedagogic model defines a framework for deciding appropriate strategies to use to achieve learning outcomes. Such a framework is important for success of elearning program. It brings in clarity about the whole objective.

On right, read about some pedagogic models that may be used for elearning offering.

ERIC model Experience-Reflect-Interact-Construct (ERIC): 1. System should provide a learning experience to be accessed from anywhere, anytime through learning objects in different web-enabled formats (text, audio, video, animation, etc.). 2. Next, the system provides an activity designed a priori to work on learner reflection . 3. After performing the activity, the learner should be engaged in both 'synchronous' and 'asynchronous' interaction . 4. The interaction leads to construction of his/her learning through group works, presentations, projects and other creative activities. ERIC provides a framework for teachers and helps them while designing courses to achieve the learning outcome. See an example implementation of ERIC on right. An example of implementing ERIC model . The example is related to Physics Course on Projectile motion. First, the teacher includes information regarding the projectile motion using a combination of text, audio, video and animations. Students can access them anywhere, anytime. Teacher can also show required content in classroom by projecting in on a projector or displaying on computer or TV in the classroom. Next, teacher provides an activity such as a quiz, a numerical assignment to work on learner reflection. Next, the students interact among themselves and the teacher using online chat (synchronous) and forums (asynchronous) to interact and discuss the activity or the content provided by the teacher. Finally, teacher allots a project related projectiles to individual students or groups. The projects should be carefully chosen so that students find them interesting enough. Projects for projectile motion could be to study projectile motion in one of darts, basketball, cricket, catapult and diwali rockets (aatishbaazi). Students may be given specific assignment to analyze a particular shot of Sachin tendulkar or Yuvraj Singh when they hit six or they may be asked to design a catapult and analyze motion for different angles. Students use interaction tools while working on projects which helps in construction of her learning.

Experience-Reflect-Interact-Construct (ERIC):

1. System should provide a learning experience to be accessed from anywhere, anytime through learning objects in different web-enabled formats (text, audio, video, animation, etc.).

2. Next, the system provides an activity designed a priori to work on learner reflection .

3. After performing the activity, the learner should be engaged in both 'synchronous' and 'asynchronous' interaction .

4. The interaction leads to construction of his/her learning through group works, presentations, projects and other creative activities.

ERIC provides a framework for teachers and helps them while designing courses to achieve the learning outcome. See an example implementation of ERIC on right.

How to start Now we just need to select a software for providing elearning. It is good news and bad news that a number of tools are available. It is good as you got options. You can select one based on your requirements. Most elearning suites offer basic features as required by ERIC model. It is bad as most of these tools look the same unless you use them and see for yourself the details. It is extremely important that the tool I easy to use and more important it is extendable so that specific requirements can be fulfilled. I will make your life easy by presenting some facts and from my personal experience suggest a best elearning software for you.

Now we just need to select a software for providing elearning. It is good news and bad news that a number of tools are available.

It is good as you got options. You can select one based on your requirements. Most elearning suites offer basic features as required by ERIC model.

It is bad as most of these tools look the same unless you use them and see for yourself the details. It is extremely important that the tool I easy to use and more important it is extendable so that specific requirements can be fulfilled.

I will make your life easy by presenting some facts and from my personal experience suggest a best elearning software for you.

Open Source tools There are many open source LMS available. Below, is a list of most popular ones. The list is presented in alphabetical order and is not an indication of their popularity or effectiveness. ATutor Claroline Dokeos ILIAS - Moodle OLAT Sakai Project Moodle is the number one open source LMS by a long way. Moodle has a significant user base with more than 45k registered sites. Moodle fulfils all requirements of ERIC model. Apart from that, it is easily extendible. Commercial Software Similarly, there are many commercial LMS available. Below, is list of most popular ones. The list is presented in alphabetical order and is not an indication of their popularity or effectiveness. Angel Learning Blackboard Desire2Learn eCollege Blackboard is most popular commercial elearning Software provided by company of same name. Blackboard was involved in a fight regarding its patent portfolio when they filed a lawsuit against Desire2Learn (another elearning software provider) for patent infringement. Blackboard got lot of negative publicity due to opposition by open source community. Finally, they took a pledge to forever refrain from asserting patent rights against open-source developers, except when it is itself sued for patent infringement.

There are many open source LMS

available. Below, is a list of most popular

ones. The list is presented in alphabetical

order and is not an indication of their

popularity or effectiveness.

ATutor

Claroline

Dokeos

ILIAS -

Moodle

OLAT

Sakai Project

Moodle is the number one open source

LMS by a long way. Moodle has a significant

user base with more than 45k registered

sites. Moodle fulfils all requirements of ERIC

model. Apart from that, it is easily

extendible.

Similarly, there are many commercial LMS

available. Below, is list of most popular

ones. The list is presented in alphabetical

order and is not an indication of

their popularity or effectiveness.

Angel Learning

Blackboard

Desire2Learn

eCollege

Blackboard is most popular commercial elearning

Software provided by company of same name.

Blackboard was involved in a fight regarding its patent

portfolio when they filed a lawsuit against Desire2Learn

(another elearning software provider) for patent

infringement. Blackboard got lot of negative publicity due

to opposition by open source community. Finally,

they took a pledge to forever refrain from asserting

patent rights against open-source developers, except

when it is itself sued for patent infringement.

Finals – Blackboard Vs Moodle Now we know, the best open source tool and the best commercial tool available. But which of them to use? In Feb. 2005, Kathy D. Munoz, and Joan Van Duzer from Humboldt State University (HSU) conducted a study to find Better tool between Moodle and Blackboard and he published a report – " Blackboard vs. Moodle. A Comparison of Satisfaction with Online Teaching and Learning Tools ". The research involved teaching students using Blackboard and Moodle as an addition to normal classroom teaching. Some of the question that research intended to answer are as follows: 1. Did Blackboard/Moodle enhance instruction? 2. Received adequate technical assistance? 3 .Technology-based activities developed problem-solving skills? 4. Well organized instructional materials? 5. Communication tools: Interaction with classmates? 6. Communication tools: Interaction with instructor? 7. Web-based resources were effective learning tools? 8. Discussion Boards were easy to use? Almost on all these parameters Moodle scored over blackboard. So we have a clear winner – Moodle. Moodle is more effective tool to offer elearning to your students. Here are some of comments from students - “ Great experience. I went into this course very concerned whether I could handle an on-line course or not. What I have discovered is how much I have learned from this type of learning format. It forced me to participate a lot more frequently than I believe I would have in a traditional classroom setting . Yes, I did put more time into this class than I might have in a regular classroom but it paid off for me. I learned I can do this!” “ I enjoyed the fact that I could log on whenever I wanted. The elimination of my alarm going off at 7:30 was awesome! I enjoyed the material and how it was presented.” “ Overall I thought that the online learning experience was good. I felt that I learned a lot and was forced to read the text more than I do for most of my classes.”

Now we know, the best open source tool and the best

commercial tool available. But which of them to use?

In Feb. 2005, Kathy D. Munoz, and Joan Van Duzer from

Humboldt State University (HSU) conducted a study to find

Better tool between Moodle and Blackboard and he published

a report – " Blackboard vs. Moodle. A Comparison of

Satisfaction with Online Teaching and Learning Tools ".

The research involved teaching students using Blackboard

and Moodle as an addition to normal classroom teaching.

Some of the question that research intended to answer are as

follows:

1. Did Blackboard/Moodle enhance instruction?

2. Received adequate technical assistance?

3 .Technology-based activities developed problem-solving skills?

4. Well organized instructional materials?

5. Communication tools: Interaction with classmates?

6. Communication tools: Interaction with instructor?

7. Web-based resources were effective learning tools?

8. Discussion Boards were easy to use?

Almost on all these parameters Moodle scored over

blackboard. So we have a clear winner – Moodle. Moodle is

more effective tool to offer elearning to your students.

How to use Moodle? Moodle is a clear winner and in general I will recommend it to all my readers. Moreover, Moodle software comes for free; as compared to approx. $8,600 (Rs. 4,30,000) per year for blackboard software (paid by HSU). However, we need to clear about costs of implementing Moodle here. Moodle as a software is free but not as a solution. That is, in order to implement moodle in your institution you need to perform various activities (listed on right). This a generally issue that accompanies any open source tool. Using open source is free only in terms of software but in order to actually implement it one needs professional help apart from some investment. But thankfully, there is a solution – BigGyan. BigGyan is a complete package. It goes beyond just base software. Just sign up on BigGyan and select pre-packeged courses for your institution. Enroll students into the courses and that’s it. YOU HAVE MADE THE CHANGE. Steps to implement Moodle: 1. Buy webserver space. 2. Get domain name. 3. Install Moodle on the webserver. 4. Test Moodle to identify exactly how you want to use it. Ex. There many ways to enroll students in Moodle. Which one is best for you? 5. Configuring Moodle to suit your requirements. 6. You need to buy support. 7. Train staff. 8. Perform data backups. OR Simply sign up at: www.biggyan.com

Moodle is a clear winner and in general I will recommend it to all my readers. Moreover, Moodle software comes for free; as compared to approx. $8,600 (Rs. 4,30,000) per year for blackboard software (paid by HSU).

However, we need to clear about costs of implementing Moodle here. Moodle as a software is free but not as a solution. That is, in order to implement moodle in your institution you need to perform various activities (listed on right).

This a generally issue that accompanies any open source tool. Using open source is free only in terms of software but in order to actually implement it one needs professional help apart from some investment.

But thankfully, there is a solution – BigGyan. BigGyan is a complete package. It goes beyond just base software. Just sign up on BigGyan and select pre-packeged courses for your institution. Enroll students into the courses and that’s it.

YOU HAVE MADE THE CHANGE.

BigGyan – The complete solution Our aim was to create a complete solution to this interesting problem. To get anything right takes a lot of effort, attention to detail, commitment and passion to create something new that is going to change the world. WE HAVE DELIVERED, WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO. BigGyan is a moodle based elearning solution. It was launched with this sole purpose to provide a complete solution. We wanted to make elearning as simple as signing up for email account. BigGyan is a complete package, it is more than moodle but totally free. "e" in elearning stands for various things - "electronic“, “evolving”, “everywhere”, “enhanced” or ”extended”. BigGyan redefines elearning. With BigGyan 'e' in eLearning stands for easy. Easy to implement, easy to maintain, easy to use. Peace of mind. Microsoft got operating system right, Google got search right, Apple got music player right, and BigGyan got elearning right. No other OS can replace windows, no other search can overdo google, no music player can overshadow iPod (expect may be iPhone), Similarly, BigGyan is going to de facto elearning platform.

Our aim was to create a complete solution to this interesting problem. To get anything right takes a lot of effort, attention to detail, commitment and passion to create something new that is going to change the world. WE HAVE DELIVERED, WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO.

BigGyan is a moodle based elearning solution. It was launched with this sole purpose to provide a complete solution. We wanted to make elearning as simple as signing up for email account. BigGyan is a complete package, it is more than moodle but totally free.

"e" in elearning stands for various things - "electronic“, “evolving”, “everywhere”, “enhanced” or ”extended”. BigGyan redefines elearning. With BigGyan 'e' in eLearning stands for easy. Easy to implement, easy to maintain, easy to use. Peace of mind.

Why you don’t want an elearning solution? Now, lets recap the reasons why you don’t want an elearning solution. Here I also explain how BigGyan solves each of the issues. REASON 1 - It is a costly option. In general, this is true. Setting up an eLearning platform is a cost intensive task. eLearning platforms come at a huge cost, not to mention cost of maintaining software, upgrading software and setting up computer networks. For example - A typical installation of blackboard (an eLearning platform) will cost in the range of $200,000 plus yearly costs for upgrades. BigGyan solution: BigGyan is the cheapest eLearning solution all over the world. Cheapest only in terms of money. BigGyan is a feature rich eLearning platform. We have a unique way to provide the platform to institutes - it leads to low cost of entry, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), elimination of capital expenditures and dramatic reduction in IT spending. REASON 2 - It requires that educational institute to set up and manage computer network and software. BigGyan solution: Managing software and computer networks is not a core task of educational institutes. We provide our eLearning platform to based on SaaS (Software as a service). Users of the platform just need to log into our website and straight away start using the platform. We host the software on our website for you. We strongly believe that it is right of a user to be a user. User needs to just use the platform, we manage the security issues, upgrade issues, daily backups. REASON 3 - Requires a lot of effort – new people, new kind of work, all teachers are not computer professionals. BigGyan solution: Our eLearning platform includes visual tools to create your lesson structure and add content, powerful online-test builders, communication tools (chat, forum and personal messages), content scheduling, activity tracking, announcements, content flows, cooperative content building, lesson rules, vertical views of the lesson and many more. No technical knowledge is necessary to create content or use it as a student, all tasks are performed with visual tools and editors. We provide with detailed training modules to use these visual tools.

Now, lets recap the reasons why you don’t want an elearning solution. Here I also explain how BigGyan

solves each of the issues.

REASON 1 - It is a costly option. In general, this is true. Setting up an eLearning platform is a cost intensive task. eLearning platforms come at a huge cost, not to mention cost of maintaining software, upgrading software and setting up computer networks. For example - A typical installation of blackboard (an eLearning platform) will cost in the range of $200,000 plus yearly costs for upgrades.

BigGyan solution: BigGyan is the cheapest eLearning solution all over the world. Cheapest only in terms of money. BigGyan is a feature rich eLearning platform. We have a unique way to provide the platform to institutes - it leads to low cost of entry, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), elimination of capital expenditures and dramatic reduction in IT spending.

REASON 2 - It requires that educational institute to set up and manage computer network and software.

BigGyan solution: Managing software and computer networks is not a core task of educational institutes. We provide our eLearning platform to based on SaaS (Software as a service). Users of the platform just need to log into our website and straight away start using the platform. We host the software on our website for you. We strongly believe that it is right of a user to be a user. User needs to just use the platform, we manage the security issues, upgrade issues, daily backups.

REASON 3 - Requires a lot of effort – new people, new kind of work, all teachers are not computer professionals.

BigGyan solution: Our eLearning platform includes visual tools to create your lesson structure and add content, powerful online-test builders, communication tools (chat, forum and personal messages), content scheduling, activity tracking, announcements, content flows, cooperative content building, lesson rules, vertical views of the lesson and many more. No technical knowledge is necessary to create content or use it as a student, all tasks are performed with visual tools and editors. We provide with detailed training modules to use these visual tools.

REASON 4 - Is it really going to help students? BigGyan solution: Amazing addition to user/student experience. Some of the advantages are: • Enhancing student-to-student and faculty-to-student communication. • Enabling student-centered teaching approaches. • Providing 24/7 accessibility to course materials. • Providing just-in-time methods to assess and evaluate student progress. The integration of web-based learning components with software like CourseInfo bring added value to traditional education. Students and faculty benefit from using the communication and assessment tools. Students have a customized approach to knowledge acquisition that suits learning styles and busy schedules. Continual access to resources through online delivery and automated management tools minimizes the faculty's cost and time associated with the experience. The advantages of online education make a significant impact in higher education today and, as technology evolves, promise to deliver even greater benefits in the future. REASON 5 - Extra work for teachers BigGyan solution: Initially, the work for teachers may increase. You may employ on-premesis data entry operators. We provide offline data entry services as add-on to the basic platform. However, in the long run, it decreases teachers work --- one time course creation. reduces "administrative tasks" around course management (managing attendance registers, grades etc), creating quizes and tests becomes easier. Further, teachers can straight away use the platform using the pre-packaged course content that comes with BigGyan. REASON 6 - Paradigm shift in learning environments BigGyan solution: We are providing a blending solution - supplementing a course with web-based tools. Enhancing (not replacing) student experience through use of technology. Traditional classroom cannot be replaced and we are dont have a solution to even come closer to that. However, we have a fantastic tool to enhance learning experience of your students. Further, BigGyan empowers students to manage their own learning. They can choose the activity to engage in or to spend more time: watching pre-recorded videotapes, VCDs or DVDs, accessing the internet general materials, accessing the digital libraries, or chatting with students and unit lecturers through the Learning Management System.

REASON 4 - Is it really going to help students?

BigGyan solution: Amazing addition to user/student experience. Some of the advantages are: • Enhancing student-to-student and faculty-to-student communication. • Enabling student-centered teaching approaches. • Providing 24/7 accessibility to course materials. • Providing just-in-time methods to assess and evaluate student progress. The integration of web-based learning components with software like CourseInfo bring added value to traditional education. Students and faculty benefit from using the communication and assessment tools. Students have a customized approach to knowledge acquisition that suits learning styles and busy schedules. Continual access to resources through online delivery and automated management tools minimizes the faculty's cost and time associated with the experience. The advantages of online education make a significant impact in higher education today and, as technology evolves, promise to deliver even greater benefits in the future.

REASON 5 - Extra work for teachers

BigGyan solution: Initially, the work for teachers may increase. You may employ on-premesis data entry operators. We provide offline data entry services as add-on to the basic platform. However, in the long run, it decreases teachers work --- one time course creation. reduces "administrative tasks" around course management (managing attendance registers, grades etc), creating quizes and tests becomes easier. Further, teachers can straight away use the platform using the pre-packaged course content that comes with BigGyan.

REASON 6 - Paradigm shift in learning environments

BigGyan solution: We are providing a blending solution - supplementing a course with web-based tools. Enhancing (not replacing) student experience through use of technology. Traditional classroom cannot be replaced and we are dont have a solution to even come closer to that. However, we have a fantastic tool to enhance learning experience of your students. Further, BigGyan empowers students to manage their own learning. They can choose the activity to engage in or to spend more time: watching pre-recorded videotapes, VCDs or DVDs, accessing the internet general materials, accessing the digital libraries, or chatting with students and unit lecturers through the Learning Management System.

REASON 7 - Not many educational institutes are using it, anyway. BigGyan solution : “Internet-delivered instruction has been steadily growing over the last decade, and more than 25% of U.S. states and Canadian provinces have now implemented or are in the process of implementing virtual school and eLearning initiatives.” The UK and India eLearning market is growing at 18% a year. According to researchers from Cornell University, “the web provides significant new functionality in transmitting information to the student and providing forums for exchange. The web is revolutionizing some areas of study through increased opportunities for learning and alternative formats for information”. REASON 8 - No monetary benefit. BigGyan solution : Case costs. New revenue streams - distance learning, certificate courses. – your expertise areas. Why you don’t want an eLearning platform? FRANKLY I DON'T KNOW.

REASON 7 - Not many educational institutes are using it, anyway.

BigGyan solution : “Internet-delivered instruction has been steadily growing over the last decade, and more than 25% of U.S. states and Canadian provinces have now implemented or are in the process of implementing virtual school and eLearning initiatives.” The UK and India eLearning market is growing at 18% a year. According to researchers from Cornell University, “the web provides significant new functionality in transmitting information to the student and providing forums for exchange. The web is revolutionizing some areas of study through increased opportunities for learning and alternative formats for information”.

REASON 8 - No monetary benefit.

BigGyan solution : Case costs. New revenue streams - distance learning, certificate courses. – your expertise areas.

Why you don’t want an eLearning platform?

FRANKLY I DON'T KNOW.

Sign up at BigGyan Tips Start small Try now – Do first learn later.

Sign up at BigGyan

Tips

Start small

Try now – Do first learn later.

About the Authors Diipak Gupta Graduated from PEC, Chandigarh in Electronics and Communication. The main skill he acquired at college was his maverickity. Views engineering as a creative activity - has applied several patents in the domain of mobile phones and IPTV. Completed Masters from BITS, Pilani in Consciousness Studies (often called last frontier of science). Published papers in the field. Other keen activities include being an educator, internet evangelist and a self-proclaimed eLearning Guru. Gaurav Bansal Graduated from PEC, Chandigarh in Electronics and Communication. Fell in love with computers. Wrote a speech recognition software for a college project. Views software as a tool to change the world. Worked in various IT companies in cutting edge technologies. Other activities – Software, software and a bit more software.

Appendix A – Consolidation in education industry Don’t be a local village frog, become a global village frog Education sector has seen unsurpassed growth for about 2-3 decades. Today, only IIT coaching is Rs. 10,000 crore industry. This has not gone unnoticed by big business houses and they have started showing interest in this sector. Tata sky - active learning. Zee Learn Reliance Colleges DPS Chain of Schools Rai Foundation Amity Chitkara Educomp - Takshila schools. In coming years, education sector will see more and more consolidation. The best institutes will survive and rest will die or reduced to third grade institutions. For more information regarding consolidation in education industry follow our blog.

Don’t be a local village frog, become a global village frog

Education sector has seen unsurpassed growth for about 2-3 decades. Today, only IIT

coaching is Rs. 10,000 crore industry. This has not gone unnoticed by big business

houses and they have started showing interest in this sector.

Tata sky - active learning.

Zee Learn

Reliance Colleges

DPS Chain of Schools

Rai Foundation

Amity

Chitkara

Educomp - Takshila schools.

In coming years, education sector will see more and more consolidation. The best

institutes will survive and rest will die or reduced to third grade institutions.

For more information regarding consolidation in education industry follow our blog.

Appendix B – SaaS ka BaaP Mission Statement - SaaS ka BaaP Internet has traditionally been used for posting and retrieving data. Even software applications are provided using internet (via SaaS). Arguably, the first SaaS offering was Hotmail. Before hotmail arrived, all emails had to be retrieved using an email client (ex. Microsoft Outlook) installed on user’s machine. The limitations were obvious. The emails had to be accessed from the machine on which user has configured his email account. But using hotmail user can access mails from anywhere using web-browser. Moreover, user does not have to worry about hard disk problems (crashing, data overriding), security issues (virus, Trojan attacks etc.). Moreover, user does not have to install updates. The company providing SaaS maintains all this, thus, recognizing the right of user to remain a user. Google Apps (integrated with BigGyan e-learning platform) provides word processing (alternate to Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet (alternate to Microsoft Excel). But with increase in speed of internet (broadband), even software applications are being provided using internet. Now, even banks and other corporates are using SaaS as an alternate to maintaining on premise data centres. This helps them to work on their core tasks rather than maintaining IT infrastructure. Further, it reduces the costs.

Mission Statement - SaaS ka BaaP

Internet has traditionally been used for posting and retrieving data. Even software

applications are provided using internet (via SaaS). Arguably, the first SaaS offering was

Hotmail. Before hotmail arrived, all emails had to be retrieved using an email client (ex.

Microsoft Outlook) installed on user’s machine. The limitations were obvious. The emails

had to be accessed from the machine on which user has configured his email account. But

using hotmail user can access mails from anywhere using web-browser. Moreover, user

does not have to worry about hard disk problems (crashing, data overriding), security

issues (virus, Trojan attacks etc.). Moreover, user does not have to install updates. The company

providing SaaS maintains all this, thus, recognizing the right of user to remain a user.

Google Apps (integrated with BigGyan e-learning platform) provides word processing (alternate to

Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet (alternate to Microsoft Excel).

But with increase in speed of internet (broadband), even software applications are being provided using

internet. Now, even banks and other corporates are using SaaS as an alternate to maintaining on

premise data centres. This helps them to work on their core tasks rather than maintaining IT

infrastructure. Further, it reduces the costs.

Appendix C – Distance Learning and history of use of technology Distance learning has its advantages but is fundamentally flawed which results in minimal progress in students knowledge and skill set. People try to solve it by using technology. In a short story “The Machine Stops” by E.M.Forster published in 1909, an audio/video communication network is described which is used to deliver lectures a remote audience. In 1920s, an actual "teaching machine" is developed by Sidney Pressey, an educational psychology professor at Ohio State University. The machine offered drill and practice exercises, and multiple choice questions to students. In recent times, opencourseware movement has gathered lot of traction. Some of best universities (MIT, Stanford, Tufts) released their courses under creative commons license. Anyone in the world can access the courses taught at these institutes. For some courses, even videos of lectures are included. Opencourseware has contributed alot to elearning. It brought legitimacy to the eLearning field. Even IITs are trying to join the bandwagon.

Distance learning has its advantages but is fundamentally flawed which results in minimal progress in students knowledge and skill set. People try to solve it by using technology.

In a short story “The Machine Stops” by E.M.Forster published in 1909, an audio/video communication network is described which is used to deliver lectures a remote audience.

In 1920s, an actual "teaching machine" is developed by Sidney Pressey, an educational psychology professor at Ohio State University. The machine offered drill and practice exercises, and multiple choice questions to students.

In recent times, opencourseware movement has gathered lot of traction. Some of best universities (MIT, Stanford, Tufts) released their courses under creative commons license. Anyone in the world can access the courses taught at these institutes. For some courses, even videos of lectures are included. Opencourseware has contributed alot to elearning. It brought legitimacy to the eLearning field. Even IITs are trying to join the bandwagon.

Appendix D – Use of technology to deliver education in India In India, the first use of technology to deliver courses was probably Delhi Doordarshan's education channel "Gyan Darshan". Gyan Darshan is a fully digital 24 hour exclusive Educational TV Channel. This 24-hour channel beams programmes produced by IGNOU and those from UGC, National Council for Educational Research & Training (NCERT), Central Institute for Educational Technology (CIET), NITTTRs, IITs and different Ministries of Govt. of India. Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India. Gyan Vani stations operate as ‘media cooperative’ with the day-to-day programmes being contributed by various educational institutions, NGOs, government and semi-government organizations, UN agencies, Ministries such as Agriculture, Environment, Health, Women and Child Welfare, Science & Technology, etc. besides National level Institutions such as NCERT, NIOS and State Open Universities. In September 2004, Indian Space Research Organisation lauched EDUSAT or GSAT-3. EDUSAT is the first Indian satellite built exclusively to serve the educational sector. It is mainly intended to meet the demand for a satellite-based distance education system for the country. Now with entry of corporates in DTH market, a number of education channels have cropped up. Each of the service providers have their own offering for education - Tata Sky offers "Active Learning", Dish TV - Topper TV. Main problem with DTH is that it allows only one way communication which limits interactivity.

In India, the first use of technology to deliver courses was probably Delhi Doordarshan's education channel "Gyan Darshan". Gyan Darshan is a fully digital 24 hour exclusive Educational TV Channel. This 24-hour channel beams programmes produced by IGNOU and those from UGC, National Council for Educational Research & Training (NCERT), Central Institute for Educational Technology (CIET), NITTTRs, IITs and different Ministries of Govt. of India.

Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India. Gyan Vani stations operate as ‘media cooperative’ with the day-to-day programmes being contributed by various educational institutions, NGOs, government and semi-government organizations, UN agencies, Ministries such as Agriculture, Environment, Health, Women and Child Welfare, Science & Technology, etc. besides National level Institutions such as NCERT, NIOS and State Open Universities.

In September 2004, Indian Space Research Organisation lauched EDUSAT or GSAT-3. EDUSAT is the first Indian satellite built exclusively to serve the educational sector. It is mainly intended to meet the demand for a satellite-based distance education system for the country.

Now with entry of corporates in DTH market, a number of education channels have cropped up. Each of the service providers have their own offering for education - Tata Sky offers "Active Learning", Dish TV - Topper TV. Main problem with DTH is that it allows only one way communication which limits interactivity.