Christine Healey Online Learning – technology for the sake of it? A presentation of learning from the course ‘ Application of Online Learning’ NIACE Certificated February 2008 NOCN 9 credits at level 3 Click the left Mouse button to enter. Enjoy! Hey! click on me! End the Show

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What is Online Learning? Delivered through a computer linked to the Internet, usually by using a VLE – Virtual Learning Environment . This one is Moodle Click the mouse to move on

What is Online Learning? Click the mouse to move on If there are more than a few learners on the same course, they are usually split into groups for activities – though they won’t meet like this! Learners can look at text, prepared by the tutors. Think of this as course handouts and input… but without loads of paper to carry around

What is Online Learning? Click the mouse to move on The tutors’ text might be linked to websites for extra information or resources… it’s a bit like looking into a huge, almost unlimited textbook with a really good index… Learners might be asked to use a link to a different website and complete a questionnaire or exercise, then comment on it in an online Forum, which is a bit like a message board – think of it as communicating in a series of notes or emails.

What is Online Learning? Tutors ‘moderate’ the course, staying in touch with learners via email or on the Forums. They will step in to help the discussion along or to sort out any problems. Tutors might set up a ‘chat room’ so that a small group can discuss a particular topic in ‘real time’. None of the course activity can be seen by anyone outside the course and some activities might be limited to just one small group. Online tutors need to be excellent communicators who know when to keep quiet and when to ‘talk’. Click on this mouse to go back to the main menu

What do learners like? Learn when you like, where you like – whenever you have time. Fits in with difficult work schedules and childcare Complete all your work online and submit your assignments that way, too. Allows you to work at your own pace – fast or slow Meet people from all over the country – or even the world. Assignments have to be submitted on time – but the tutors are supportive and flexible Many people like the relationships that build up with other learners and with the tutors – a good tutor can create a sense of community Can work well if you have limited mobility or hearing - or just prefer to stay at home Work in your dressing gown! Click on this mouse to go back to the main menu

Learn when you like, where you like – whenever you have time. Fits in with difficult work schedules and childcare

Complete all your work online and submit your assignments that way, too. Allows you to work at your own pace – fast or slow

Meet people from all over the country – or even the world.

Assignments have to be submitted on time – but the tutors are supportive and flexible

Many people like the relationships that build up with other learners and with the tutors – a good tutor can create a sense of community

Can work well if you have limited mobility or hearing - or just prefer to stay at home

Work in your dressing gown!

Fears and Anxieties To hear 'soundbytes' Click mouse button Click here for Main Menu

Skills Needed for Online Learning Good grasp of standard computer applications and tasks MSWORD, Internet Explorer, saving and opening documents Email skills including attaching, forwarding and detaching documents Confidence on the Internet Not only to use the VLE but also to look at websites Literate and confident with writing Because some activities will involve writing messages for other people to see online Good time management There is a lot of flexibility about when you work – but the work does have to get done! Willing to ask for help Mainly from the tutors – but perhaps also from fellow learners Willing to give it a go? Try out a short online course first Click here for Main Menu

Good grasp of standard computer applications and tasks

MSWORD, Internet Explorer, saving and opening documents

Email skills

including attaching, forwarding and detaching documents

Confidence on the Internet

Not only to use the VLE but also to look at websites

Literate and confident with writing

Because some activities will involve writing messages for other people to see online

Good time management

There is a lot of flexibility about when you work – but the work does have to get done!

Willing to ask for help

Mainly from the tutors – but perhaps also from fellow learners

Willing to give it a go? Try out a short online course first

Recognising Achievement … whether it’s progress towards a longterm goal, making a personal breakthrough or getting a certificate, you can achieve through an online course – and celebrate with your fellow learners, too. Click here for Main Menu