This document summarizes a keynote presentation by Dr. George Veletsianos on designing engaging learning experiences in open-ended learning environments. It discusses moving beyond simply delivering course content online and instead focusing on designing experiences that promote interaction, collaboration, participation in communities, and engagement with authentic problems. It provides examples of three projects - an ELGG experiment, River Place Summer Camp, and YoTeach.us - that incorporate these elements. The presentation argues for moving beyond dominant narratives about online education and delivery to create learning experiences that are fulfilling, meaningful, and inspiring for students.
Engaging Learning Experiences in Open-Ended Learning Environments
1. Engaging Learning Experiences in
Open-Ended Learning Environments
Dr. George Veletsianos
Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Austin
Instructional Technology program
College of Education
2010 Innovations in Teaching & Learning with Technology Conference Keynote
2.
3.
4. Interaction and collaboration
Diversity (cultural & professional)
Interaction between experts and learners
Creation of digital artifacts
Participation in affinity-based communities
Engaging with a culture that is participatory
35. Interacting with experts
Participation in contemporary debates
Real contributions (e.g., wikipedia edits)
Real problems
Engagement with authentic issues
41. Research basis
Veletsianos, G. (2010). Emerging Technologies in Distance Education. Athabasca University Press. Available in print for purchase via the publisher and as a
free pdf download from: http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120177
Veletsianos, G. (2010). A Definition of Emerging Technologies for Education. In G. Veletsianos (Ed.), Emerging Technologies in Distance Education.
Athabasca University Press [download pdf]
Veletsianos, G. (2010). A Small-Scale Adventure Learning Activity and its Implications for Higher Education Practice and Research. in education, 16(1).
[link]
Veletsianos, G., & Doering, A. (2010). Long-term student experiences in a hybrid, open-ended and problem based Adventure Learning program.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(2), 280-296. http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet26/veletsianos.html
Veletsianos, G., & Kleanthous, I. (2009). A review of adventure learning. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distance Learning, 10(6), 84-
105. Retrieved December 27, 2009, from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/755
Doering, A., & Veletsianos, G. (2008). What lies beyond effectiveness and efficiency? Adventure Learning Design.The Internet and Higher Education, 11(3-
4), 137-144. [pdf]
Wilson, B., Parrish, P., & Veletsianos, G. (2008). Raising the bar for instructional outcomes: Towards transformative learning experiences. Educational
Technology, 48(3), 39-44. [pdf]
Veletsianos, G., & Miller, C. (2008). Conversing with Pedagogical Agents: A Phenomenological Exploration of Interacting with Digital Entities. British
Journal of Educational Technology, 39(6), 969-986. [pdf]
Editor's Notes
The contemporary Web, the social web, rests on communication, interaction, collaboration in open-ended spaces.Individuals can post content online and they can interact on that content.For instance, TED is a site that hosts videos from orators – ppl can talk about thoseSame with Youtube – last night I read that 35 hours of video are posted on youtube every minute. 35 hours.Or wikipedia – people post content, and others edit… they get into it so much that they engage in edit wars:Image: each color represent a wikipedia and its size over time. This is the case where people change each others edits and you see this zigzag shape.Obviously, we have all heard the dark side of the Internet as well…
Learning in open-ended spaces? How does it happen?
Repurposing technology to fit teaching practice.Repurposing teaching practices to fit technology?Negotiated relationship