www.netskills.ac.uk




Using free web-based tools for
collaborative eLearning
SEDA Conference 17th November 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Topics

       Collaborative eLearning and selection of tools
       Opportunities and Risks
       Managing activities
       Some case studies
       Final thoughts and questions




© JISC Netskills 2011
www.netskills.ac.uk




Why collaborative eLearning?
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Bloom’s Taxonomy




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariels_photos/4097787955/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




   Collaborative Tools
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/albedo/97915333/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Wikis




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Blogs




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Google Docs




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Bookmarking




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Storytelling




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Conferencing




© JISC Netskills 2011
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomixakira/5941468677/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Maps




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




 Fluffy?

© JISC Netskills 2011
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/sergiu_bacioiu/4327564714/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




                                                              Fierce?




© JISC Netskills 2011
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_jd/3281183321/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Opportunities

 Shifting the balance of responsibility
 Ease of use
 Integration between tools
            – Embedding
            – RSS
       Affordable
       Personlisation
       Transferrability
       Mobility
       Fun!
© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Hurdles

       Loss of control
       Identity management
       Safeguarding more in the users’ hands
       Where does the data go?
       Vulnerabilities
       ANOTHER system to learn!

 …and all the other hurdles you get with
  collaborative activity!
© JISC Netskills 2011
www.netskills.ac.uk




Moderating
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Setting up the activity

       Focus on the learning objectives
       Guidance about privacy settings
       Set expectations of behaviour
       What will you do if something goes wrong?
       Alternative forms of contact
       Clear assessment criteria




© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




eModeration




                                          5 stage model (Salmon, G., 2004)
                                          www.atimod.com/e-moderating/5stage.shtml
© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Case Studies

 Netskills
            – “Technology Enhanced Collaborative Learning”
              workshop
 Sheffield Hallam University
            – MSc in Technology Enhanced Learning, Innovation &
              Change
 Northumbria College
            – Foundation Degree in hairdressing and salon
              management
 University of Salford
            – BSc in Professional Sound and Video technology

© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Final Thoughts

 Scale
            – Large groups can be powerful but difficult to
              manage
            – Smaller groups, not everyone has to have to same
              access
 Scope
            – Content can get unwieldy
            – Watch for mission creep
            – Wikis especially – what is its purpose, when will you
              stop?
 Plan B
            – What’s the exit strategy?

© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Final Thoughts

 Give responsibility to learners
            –      Set ground rules for behaviour
            –      Assessment criteria
            –      Manage “difficult” interaction
            –      Manage privacy
       Participate as a tutor
       Allow for learner discovery of tools
       Evaluate together
       Use the tools yourself


© JISC Netskills 2011
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




© JISC Netskills 2011
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/movito/2214551923
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




© JISC Netskills 2011
                                          http://www.flickr.com/photos/denemiles/3970279665/
Web-based Collaborative eLearning Tools




Have a chat

       Chris Thomson
       @cbthomson
       http://methinkz.posterous.com
       chris.thomson@ncl.ac.uk

 www.netskills.ac.uk
 @netskills



© JISC Netskills 2011
www.netskills.ac.uk




JISC Netskills is a JISC Advance service hosted at Newcastle University

Using free web based tools for collaborative e learning